Bulgaria Ski discussion board

This was my 4th year in a row to Borovets so i had an idea of what to expect.Stayed previously at the Rila,Lion and Samakov and from previous visits we called back to the Hotel Lion.

Accomadation
Having visited the hotel Lion 2 years ago and being very happy with it, we knew we'd expect the same this year.Rooms were clean and the cleaners would clean everyday even when we left the room at 4pm 1day because of a nights heavy drinking.Only downturn to the room was that after a hard day skiing the bath would be good for the body, but at about 5-6pm the water was never hot enough.The food was not bad.The 1st night i had spaggeti which was lovely but it never met that standard again.The staff were very friendly.The bar staff remebered us from the previous visit so we had a few shots extra for free.The shuttle bus was always on time, but i think if it ran until about 9pm not 6pm for people to get to the town for a night out,this would be better.Also if you want a bottle of water or a can of coke make sure you buy it at the shop not from the mini bar in the room,its very expensive.

Skiing conditions
Our first skiing day was the Sunday and the conditions were fantastic.All the runs i went on were covered in snow and packed really good.This lasted until about tuesday, where at about 6am Wedneday it drizzled.The next day we went on the chairlift again and the conditions were very icy.Patches of mud and stone were breaking through by now.The Gondola runs were good and very skiiable,but little ice but not 2 bad.The Musala pathway run was very icy and very muddy,so wouldnt advise anyone who cant ski very good so ski this green run.The Yassberets runs (RED) were okay towards the top but there was some ice towards the bottom,and where the snow cannons had been on it and it was not packed properly, the snow would come away and you would hit ice.But overall the skiing conditions were better than the 2 previous occasions iv been skiing in Borovets.

Food
As always we would spend a few nights out eating,rather at the hotel.We'd spent the last 2 years at the Golden Horn at the bottom slope by the Rila Hotel for a few beers and drinks so we went back this year to see Maia,Nic,Betya and the no1 man Franko.The food was always very good.The pizzas were fantastic and all our group also enjoyed their meals. Food was quite reasonable and the beers were 4levs.We went to Frankos pizza 1 night for a pizza,as i remember that when i went there 2 years ago and had the best pizza ever.But i was very dissapointed this year and could not eat the whole pizza as it wasnt very nice.Went to Katy's steak house on thursday after hearing good reviews about this place so was looking forward to it.The interior was very nice and had a nice feel to the place.I had pork and potato skewers for starters and was looking forward to them.What i had was spam and cold potato on skewers and was not impressed at all and was waiting for a failure of a steak i had ordered.When the steak arrived it looked very nice and was very tasty.We also went to Blue.I had BBQ Pork ribs and they were fantastic.My friends had lasagne but it was cold and drab, so i dont reccomend this when people go there.Overall the best place for food for me was probably Blue.

Nightlife
As with the last 2 years i was looking forward to the nightlife as its been fantastic.But this year was a bit quieter than the previous 2.Last year we spent almost everynight in Chilli's so our first stop was here,but this year whenever we went it was dead.We also went to Buzz bar with a few local girls we met last year.They drag you into the place but when you get in there you get an uneasy feel and the locals in there all look at you as if they dont want you there,so i would not go here again.We also went to Samakov nightclub,which last year was dead but this year there was a few more people in there and we had a good night.We spent most our nights in the Golden Horn.Even though its no nightlcub its nice to had a nice beer and a few shots to start the night off.The best night out though was our last night when we went to Mama Citas to see the band.We went there last year so we knew it would be a good night.The band were awesome and the buy 1 get 1 free on cocktails really did kick the night off.Being Welsh we had a good sing and a few banter battles with a few Swansea girls (us being from just outside Cardiff).This is a must for everyone who goes to Borovets.

Overall our holiday was fantastic.It was a bit quiter compared to last year party wise but we still had a great time.Would i go again? Yes i would,but after 4 years on the trot to the same place we are thinking of having a break and going somewhere else.But i know that i will be going there in the future.

Accomadation - 5/5
Skiing - 3/5
Food - 3/5
Nightlife - 4/5
Overall - 4/5

This was our first time in Borovets. Heard mixed reviews, but was really suprised had a great holiday. 8 in our party,two families with teenage lads. 5 intermediate skiers and 3 no so confident.
We stayed at the Flora hotel apartments . Rooms large very warm and clean, maid service and clean towels everyday. Just went B&B, as we had heard food in most of the hotels was a bit hit and miss. Breakfast was fine and enough choice. Swimming pool alittle cold and they charged us extra for the jacuzzi. Billiards table was 10levs for an hr but it gave the kids somthing else to do while us oldies rested in the late afternoon.


No problems with hireing of the kit, all went very smoothly. The lads under the gondola station where great all week with us . The first day which was the Sunday was very busy but this was only to be expected.

We all went ski school in 2 groups beginners and intermediates. Worth doing instructors where very good and spoke excellent English. I was a very nervous beginner (I had skiied before but lost my nerve and confidence) and felt he didn't make us do any thing we weren't capable of. The snow was good for the first few days then went quite icy later in the week,aftenoon skiing were better conditions. Food at the top of the gondola is alot more expensive then at the bottem. The guys in the intermediat class progressed really well. The instructor gave the more confident lads a looser reign and even took them out with him on his own down the harder red runs. This gave us parents piece of mind that they wern't doing anything unsafe for themselves or others.
Nothing was to much trouble for the instructors in both groups. At the end of the week they even arranged that the presantation evening we could all be togther which was great.

We started the begining of the week thinking we had made a mistake by going b&b, as we where going through money at a rate of knots . We ate at the golden horn (opposite the rila at the side of the button lift) a couple of nights, food was good, hot and tasty. But alittle pricy when your feeding 8. Then we found the Alpina which is opposite the Flora Hotel. Brill food and cheep beer. Food basic but very good chiken chips and peas.The best egg chips and beans to be had, 8 of us all ate with a couple of rounds of drinks for 105levs which is around £52. Happy hour from 5-7 and they only serve food till 8 oclock. A young Enlish couple run it , they are very friendly and deserve to do well. They even put films on for the lads when we were waiting to be picked up on the last day . This was Brill, the afternoon went really quick.
We didn't do much of the night life thing (too Knackered after 4hrs of Ski school). Bar toutters are a real pain trying to get you in thier places (Worse then Time share). We went to the Eagle Rocks for the presentation evening which was nice and not to pricy. But the bar allowed a few very very drunk lads in who were very intimidating and tried to start a fight which you don't need when families and young children are out. They where not asked to leave. We then went to the Karrioki bar a good night and fun.
I wouldn't have felt safe walking about at night alone but maybe thats me getting old.

So I hope this has been helpful.
We booked through Inghams on the Early Bird last Year and saved a fortune, will probably do the same again for next year the brochure is already out.
So all in all
Hotel 5/5
Skiing and ski school 4/5
Food 4/5 Alpina 5/5
Nightlife 3/5 ( but didn't really try it and I'm over forty so cannot really comment )
Overall 4/5 we had a great time in Borovets great for families

We were a group of 8 girls (mature ladies) 1 experienced skier, 1 intermediate and 6 beginners.
We stayed at the Rila H/B we loved the food lots of choice, we enjoyed the choice of salad, the various fish, cheese, meat etc. Food wasn't that hot, but didn't bother us, as delicious. also chips and pizza for the fussy people. Pudding was a choice of cakes fresh fruit and yohurt. Plenty of choice for breakfast as well. Are room were clean and a good size for 2 people, lovely shower. No tea and coffee in rooms(we took our own kettle)
.
Seiko was our skiing instructor and he was brilliant. We all progressed at different rates he managed us well. We all went to lunch together, not always cheap, but not always hungry. On the top of the mountain prices were dearer and toilets not the best.
Skiing for us was good, however for the more experienced in the group the snow wasn't that good on some slopes.
My boots were comfortable but a few in the group had problems and changed them several times to get it right.On the last day they put out a tip basket and made an effort to come over and help with taking skis off. They hadn't helped all week and so I gave no tip and they were sarcastic and said 'thank you lady for the tip'
I would highly recommend the Classical Massage at the Ice Angel Hotel, you get a 45 massage and 30 mins to use the sauna, Jacuzzi and vapour room all for 40 lev. We went twice and wished we had discovered it earlier in the week.
The karaoke club was good and drinks were reasonable.
Reception staff at the Rila were not helpful. Restaurant staff were if they could speak English.
TIPS. you can only buy stamps from the Hotel and you have to buy a postcard at the same time.
Using the cash machine in the Rila with my Naionwide was free and I got 2.17 and on the street at exchange plus 2.07, and from the waiter in the Rila 2.10 (nick name Elvis) he also sells Cigarettes.

I hope this is helpful to anyone else going.

chrissy

Chrissy we were there the week b4 u.
He came runnin out of the Rila lobby shouting mi name,
unfort we were a day late cos of the airport closure and he already had a group, he arranged 4 one of the best/experienced instructors 2 take us, Ivan.
If u go in White Magic Chris nows them both and sez they r at the better end of the current instructors who work 4 Borosport, Chris is quite critical of the others!
Tipping, deffo if u feel they have worked hard 4 u and u have improved.
On our last nite Ceko woz out wi his group as per usual and they were ravin about him too, a real gem of a guy and when we go next yr we will deffo try 2 get him as our instructor.
pete