Bulgaria Ski discussion board

The conditions in all the mountain resorts on December 31st were almost perfect for tourism, the Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) announced.

The wind in the higher mountain parts reached three to four m per second, and the temperatures were around minus five degrees Celsius.

All ski runs in the mountain resorts were machine groomed and the facilities were working, except for the gondola in Borovets, which was closed by noon on December 31st. On January 1st 2008, the lift to Martinovi Baraki needed to be closed until noon.

In Pamporovo, the temperature was minus one degree Celsius, the weather was sunny and calm. The snow coverage reached 45cm. All facilities were functioning, except for the Smolyanski Ezera ski runs.

MRS advised those, who were hoping to celebrate the New Year in mountain chalets, to leave on time to avoid being overtaken by the cold night air.

Avalanche danger in some areas in the mountains still existed. Skiers and tourists were strongly advised to keep to the marked runs.


The abundant snow cover in the mountain resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo has revived expectations of hoteliers and tour operators for a good winter season, in spite of the slower than average uptake in foreign tourists' bookings.

The three resorts, as well as Vitosha mountain, were full of skiers during the Christmas holidays as announced by representatives of the concessionaires and the hotel owners. All resorts were expected a high income of tourists around New Year as well, since many of the tourist destinations were already fully booked.

Before the beginning of the season, Balkan tourist, owner of the ski facilities and hotels in Borovets, announced that occupancy would depend on snow forecasts for the whole winter. This was most important to bookings of British tourists, who formed the biggest contingent of foreign tourists in Bulgaria, the tour operators explained. Britons would wait to be convinced that there was enough snow and would then buy a last minute package for the winter.

International media has also reported on good winter conditions in Bulgaria. The Guardian said that Bulgarian resorts expected more snow during the weeks to come. Daily Telegraph also said ski-conditions in Bulgaria were good and directed tourists towards Bansko where the snow was currently between 80 and 180cm at different heights. According to Daily Telegraph, however, Bansko had a problem with the capacity of ski facilities, where long queues formed during rush hours.

According to Balkantourist, this year the interest of Russian tourists was bigger compared to last year. The number of Russian tourists in Borovets, however, could not increase considerably, because demand on flights already outstripped capacity supply.

Tour operators said that apart from foreign tourists, this year, winter resorts were relying on Bulgarian and it's bordering countries skiers as well to fill the resorts. Many hotels were taking bookings this year from Greek skiers who were expected in Bansko and Pamporovo.

After Bansko and Pamporovo opened the season, right before the Christmas holidays, about 5 000 skiers kicked off the winter season in Borovets as well. Currently the snow cover of Borovets' ski runs is between 80 and 190cm.

Borovets started the season with an artificial snow system. In mid-2007, the owner of the ski facilities, Borosport, part of Balkantourist, started the construction of the new cannon snow system. Other changes included the widening of some of the ski runs and the creation of better connections between different ski runs, representatives of Borosport said.

Long before the creation of Super Borovets, prices in Bulgaria's oldest winter resort were starting to reach amazing new heights.

A lunch or a dinner for one, at an average restaurant in Borovets, with the necessary extras included, could go over 100 leva. (£27). These are not my figures - but those quoted from the Trud Daily Newspaper.

Snow continues to fall throughout all resorts tonight and conditions are as good as anyone can remember for the new year.

Now...... WHY DID I CHOOSE MARCH THIS YEAR

Dhoooooooo

pp