Bulgaria Ski discussion board

We drove over to Pamps 3 days ago, 4 Irish guys and myself... Around 3 1/2 hours from Bansko to Pamps, some interesting road conditions on the top of the Rhodope mountains, ice, running water, sleet.. eventually ending in hard pack ice going up to Pamps... Stayed at Snezjenka Hotel care of Pippa (snow white), really awesome apartment with plenty of space for the 5 of us, and the hotel was very friendly, and a large beer was 3lv
We eventually got up skiing around 11.00am, my initial thoughts on Pamps being a beginners resort were squashed, after 2 very sketchy descents of blacks 2 and 3 down to the Malina station 2, hard pack snow making it errrrrr interesting... but after an hour or so it had softened up, in fact by the end of the afternoon slush was the order, and i love slushy soft snow... The wall was a blast, especially the sides, and red 10 taking the jump route was brilliant... I have to admit to taking green 6 on the first run, no signs to say it was closed, walking down over rocks and mud to the Malina lakes lift was considered a proper warm up
I have to say that we did find Pamps a little quiet in the evening, especially compared to Bansko, but a few pints were had, a lovely meal in the Italian, and topped off with a visit to Daks, good night in all..
The next day we were up a little earlier, ice was all about, mostly on the Malina station side, skiable, but not overly enjoyable.. as time passed pistes softened, and numbers grew. Some runs were getting very busy, not an issue but care had to be taken if you were motoring.. me personally stayed to the sides, lovely soft new cannon snow on red 10, ripping it up on the edges, then off down the jump route for air time... brilliant...
Overall, we really enjoyed it, the consensus being that it was well worth the journey... Things of note: super accommodation, great prices on the mountain (burger 5lv), sooo friendly, impressed with snowmaking, and a nice feel ..... Issues: none really, it is spread out and having to drive to lift bases is a little bit of a pain, but complexes have buses.. it wasn't overly busy, but was getting busy when we left ? perhaps a bit more action with more tourists....
As a footnote, i really want to get back over when there is a big dump of snow, the off-piste looks massive

Great review, thanks Steve. It was lovely to meet you at long last and very glad you enjoyed your skiing in Pamporovo.
What a difference a day makes though, it has been very hot today and it has been really quite slushy and a bit like skiing on glue. The blacks were ok in the afternoon as they don't really get the sun on them but the green was very thick. Probably fine for snow ploughing beginners but really hard if you can ski. Next few days are not going to be any better. However, it is at her lovely sitting here sunbathing with a beer. I know it's not what we want but it's rather nice!

Thursday might be difficult as i have 2 Sofia trips Gerry, should be back in Bansko around tea time, so could meet up then. Spoke to Fraser yesterday, he is having a ball so considers the move to Bansko to be well worth it, hopefully he feels the same after the numbers have grown from yesterday... Wendy will be up i assume, with her son Daniel...
Lets see if we can't get a late one in over to Pamps, especially if this elusive snow ever arrives The off-piste looks fantastic, tree runs with what looks like perfect spacing of the trees for your turn radius, wide open areas, all with around a 30% gradient... i know a local very well, Hristo will guide us no problem