Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Given that I have previously spent vast quantities of time scanning this board for reports from the resort I thought it best to return the favour for those coming ahead.Came here on Sat. last with three teenagers and am staying in my own apartment in the Cedar Heights complex.
As it was my first time visiting since completion I was interested in how it turned out and have to report am very pleased indeed with result. Don't want to dwell on this too much as there are other forums specifically for property etc but the fact that there are good on site facilities like gym, pool etc. does lessen the blow caused by lack of snow.
Anyway, back to the important stuff. It is lunchtime here and too hot in the village to wear a jacket. Snow cover is fast disappearing from all but the highest slopes. This doesn't affect you if you are a beginner as you will still get your instruction up there but if you want more skiing you are not going to get it unless things change dramatically in the next few days. My kids are off at ski school but after skiing the same runs for a few days I have personally given up on the week skiing wise.
On the positive side there are very few other places I would want to be stuck for a week with poor snow. For some reason I am still very happy to be here. There is an atmosphere and an attitude to this place which I think is very unique.
Eating out is still a pleasurable experience with good value even at resort prices. It is possible to fill three teenagers with pizza and pasta for under a fiver a head. Ate in the Belfry last night and paid a bit more, nearer ten pounds each but this was for a three course job with tons of drinks and the restaurant picks you up at leaves you back to your accomodatio.
Kids are enjoying themselves anyway. Making lots of friends and having a ball.
Talking to locals here about all the building going on and have heard seperate reports that it is nearing the point where there will be very few more new developments allowed if any. Don't take this as anything more than the passing on of chit chat but I was told work has started clearing trees for the construction of a new lift as part of the Perelik project. I think this was for the link between Pamporovo and Stoilke. The Chepelare link was also mentioned and reports indicate that this has all been approved and will happen over the next few years although I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting.
Having said that it is hard to see any of the reported improvements not happening in the fulness of time as there is such a high level of investment coming into this area.
Can't think of much else to say except that this week so far, even with the poor snow, has been one of the best holidays I have ever been on. Kids are happy. I haven't thought of work all week and a glass of beer to put you over at night still costs 60-80p depending where you are.
If anybody wants to ask anything specific fire away. Will try and check back later.

Great report. We too have an apartment in Chepelare. I understand that the Government has said that there will be no new planning permissions granted for the next 5 years for the resort and surrounding areas. As regards the linkage from Chepelare to Pamporovo plans are already afoot and the two man chair lift in Chepelare is being upgraded to a four man lift in time for next season so things have already started.

Its brilliant that you are having a great week despite the lack of snow and we are of the same mind regards the places' uniqueness. We love it there and can't wait to come back.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Snowtox

Hi Mal

Glad to hear you are having a great time i to have an apartment in cedar heights went early feb and had just the best holiday with my family. I was also happy with the appartment and facilities maybe not the steps, but hey you cant have everything. We to also feel that pamps has a special feel about the place, about eating out i hear the castle restaurant just up the way near the bus stop is really good and cheap we didnt try it but will next time, enjoy the rest of the week and thanks for the report.

lloyd

Hi Mal

Thanks for such a positive report, we're off out on Sunday 11th (myself, hubbie & 2 children - Ben(14) & Jemma(6)) and after beating myself up over reading all of the lack of snow & negative reports on here great to see a very positive report. Nick has skiied several times before so is really praying for snow but we're all of the same opinion it's a weeks holiday, away from the humdrum of life here in the UK & yes snow would be a bonus but we'll have a good time anyway.

We're staying @ the Hotel Pamparovo & are booked into ski-school (including Jemma in Ski Kindergarten - do you know of anyone who's experienced this?comments?) so I presume we'll get some skiing & the resort & hotel sound as though there are lots to occupy you after skiing is over.

Thanks again for brightening my day, will hopefully be able to give a positive report when we get back.

Thanks Elaine

Ok Just back from meal in White Horse. Basic pizza 42 lev for me and two of the kids. Number three off somewhere as his school is also here this week. Didn't ski today but children tell me its still skiable at top so might do a few runs tomorow before retiring to pool and spa.
White Horse just dropped us down in village in minibus. Friendly and welcoming as ever.
Regarding question re ski school my children are in it even though they have all skied before. They enjoy being in the group and at their age instruction is never wasted.(If I'm honest it also keeps them out of my hair but don't tell their mother whose sitting contently at home thinking I'm with them all day)
At the moment they re taking the groups up to the top and it seems to be working well. The snow cannons are maintaining enough snow to enable beginners to snowplough down the green run all day and there are a couple of other runs which have been kept going so far.
The groups I saw ranged in size from 10-15 but as always there area few no shows as the week progresses due to the low cost of beer so my childrens groups are now only about 6-10. My snowboarder son is basically getting one to one tuition as most of his lot have succumbed to the usual combination of tired legs and sore heads.
They all were beginners here 5 years ago and I can honestly say that it was probably the best place for them to learn. The Bulgarian instructors are very highly regarded so those of you worrying about ski school just stop it and relax. You will be tired but happy by the end of your week.
I heard someone mention snow for Friday but it is now so warm here there would have to be a drastic drop in temperature for it to make much difference.
The resort seems generally quiet but is none the worse for that.
Spent the day looking at new developments just to get a little more local information.
Everybody I talk to is treating the Perelik project as reality so I think there is a real sense that all this change will happen although it will inevitably take time.
I have been told that there will eventually be a link with Chepelare and Stoylke and that the development at Stoytkle will be more or less confined to just ski facilities with Pamporovo at the centre being the site of most of the new accomodation.
The developers and agents whose time I took up today were all singing the same tune that long term the ski area will be hugely improved and extended and that the accomodation now being built is aimed at a high quality market.
Going back to earlier posts re Cedar Heights I have to say I am immensly impressed by the overall standard. With any development there are niggles but I have to say honestly that looking out the window over all those forests I am very glad indeed I took the plunge two years ago.
They are also building a lot of new apartments all along the entrance to the Panorama Hotel which front onto the green run leading down to ski center 1. I was told today that there was a bit of disquiet that the concentration of these apartments was in a small area was too high.
This I was told was down to the fact that the Pamporovo area is on the border between two different Municipalities and that the Smoylan one was more lenient in giving permissions than his Chepelare counterpart.
What this tells me that people here are not all hell bent on covering every available site with buildings and that hopefully fears of overdevelopment might be adressed.
Will try to log on tomorrow.