Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Angela, I think the chair lift which looks close to the Panorama is the 'bus stop' triple chair. It is not as close as it looks ! You have a couple of options:

1) Turn left out of the Panorama, walk back past the Castle, turn right down the stairs at the far end of the last Castle building and after about 50m you are on a small piste (passing a small kids play area on the way). Hop onto board and it is a couple of mins ride down to the chair lift, which will then take you up to the middle station.

2) I believe there is a regular ski bus leaving from the Castle car park, but I don't know if anyone can use it (might be for Castle residents only). Can anyone add any info on this option ?

3) If you are a loony with a deathwish, you can turn right out of the Panorama and head to the Pearl ('Perla') block which is about 50m away on the other side of the road. Around the back of the Perla building are some rickety stairs. Down these, then fall down the hill, bouncing off trees all the way (really!). This will deliver you on your bum and lacking any dignity, right by the chairlift. It is much more painful but slightly quicker.

Hope you have fun,

Mark

I stayed there last year, despite owning an apartment in the Pearl (don't ask...long story) and it is OK. Looks a bit scruffy from outside, but warm enough and the room had all you would expect, in an unremarkable way.

Food is a buffet - type arrangement. The mix of flavours is sometimes a bit odd (although my kids loved it), and food can be a bit cold by western european standards - but that is a Bulgarian thing and not isolated to the Panorama.

There is a pool table, table tennis and a sauna area which was deserted when I was there. There is also a weird little disco which was also deserted.

There is a mini-market up at the Castle if you want Chocolate or vodka etc. There is also a pub and a couple of restaurants at the Castle too.

Overall the Panorama is fine if you simply want to sleep and be fed, but you might want to head into town by taxi for a bit more variety and liveliness if that is your thing.