Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I really cannot understand all the negative comments, yes prices have gone up in bulgaria over the past 7 years, and probably more than the rest of europe percentage wise, but as everybody keeps stating you get what you pay for, you choose pay 2 - 3 lev per beer £1 to £1.50 or you can go to france and pay 9euros nearly £9, service may be better but not £8 per beer better, the pistes areas are better groomed and looked after, but the bulgarians are now improving this slowly, again do you want to pay £300 - £400 all in or do you want to pay £800+, All of the resorts have invested heavily over the past few years and it will take time to be level with the reorts that have 20 - 30 year head start, just think back were the french, austrian resorts as good 20 years ago as bulgaria is now, the answer is NO, as i skied austria, switzerland in the 80s and in all honesty, it was just as similar price to what i pay now to go to bulgaria 20 years on. So to stop going would only slow the whole process down and do more damage than good, Borovets now have 150 snow cannons and a new reservoir of 35000 litres that by next season will provide artificail snow from the top of the gondola all the way down the yasrebets runs. Did the or do all the other resorts have the same?.
For those who criticise the people, it is like any country abroad, try to learn the language a little and they are very receptive, dont be the typical drunken brit and ask the question , then if they dont understand shout louder.
So like any holiday there are those who enjoy and those who dont, so noone is right or wrong, but just put it all into perspective!

Well, we have been listening to this "by next season" thing for years and things have rather deteriorated, have they not? The reality is that Bulgarian resorts have become noticeably more expensive (part of the reason is the drop in the value of our beloved pound, of course, this cannot be helped) but there has been no improvement in the quality of the services, ski runs, etc. Are there really 150 snow cannons in Borovetc? What is the point of having them if they are not used? And by the way, people prefer natural snow - if they can get it - which they can find a lot more of in the Alps.

I think that in the last few years Brits have had a bit more spare cash in their pockets, thereby prefering to pay a bit more but have a nicer holiday and voting with their feet from Bulgaria. At the end of the day, most people like to ski when they are in the mountain, not drink themselves to death with cheap alcohol as in Bulgaria. There is more to enjoying your holiday than constantly having to watch the change you get back from waiters or having to haggle like an idiot with ruthless taxi drivers.

If you can afford it, of course, and we may find that the credit crunch might force some people to consider Bulgaria who woud not have otherwise. Then again, all resorts compete for clients, so arrogant Bulgaria might be left behind again.

By constantly praising the Bulgarian resorts undeservedly, we are not doing them or ourselves a favour. As the old saying goes "Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen...". Need I say more?

Thanks Mall - you put your point fair and well.

As a lover of Bulgaria based in the UK there is very little I can do to change the habits of a nation - but I continue to try.

I have meetings arranged in Pamporovo in March with some fairly 'influential' people in Pamporovo where I will be putting both mine and the views of those who post on here.

I know I often come accross as blinkered to the issues in Bulgaria, but believe me I am as concerned as anybody.
Having visited Bulgaria approx. 24 times in the last 15 years I have seen many changes - and most for the worse.

However, we have to take some of the blame by the way we have behaved over the years. Many have consistanly gone to Bulgaria just because it is (or was) cheap. Nothing wrong with that, but to continuously comment in the resort of how cheap it is will undoubtably fall on listening ears, and Bulgarian are not stupid.So, they raised the prices. In many cases by far too much which has had a dire effect on the resorts.

From the feedback I am getting from the resorts, the senior management are already realising that they have made a serious misjudgement by raising the prices without investing in the resort infastructure by the same degree, and most of my humble input at the pending meetings will emphasise this - of that you can be assured.

The only investment I have in the resort is my passion. I hate to see it being justifiably slaughtered by so many - so I will do the only thing I can, tell those who need to know how you people feel - and if they still will not listen, then they are in for one hell of a shock.

Pete
the only thing you are concerned is to DELETE negative views and FAST.
I am sorry to say that but it is true.
initially -last year i wanted to help you with the good cause -supporting the needy children and did it, but all this constant deleting of certain views makes me believe that you really want to twist the BG matter, present it wrongly have taken liberty of one handedly stating all the time that you have been there so many times this and that does not hold any water .

One thing for you Pete from ex Pamporovo
I have seen BG resort first hand since 70s been ski racer,Rep,instructor, now working in the media industries and still with strong tourist interests and of course wanting bigger number comming to BG
But to delete views of somebody that experience is the sign of weakness from you give somebody little power to show you who he is.
Obviously you have some Brits buddies with the same way of drinking and wanting cheapies if no snow and like in a team you can not afford to change NOW.
Well buddy
It is time to change not only to say I will meet them in March.
Trust me they dont give ***** what some Brits are saying it is only fast bucks.
Please Pete
read that before you delete it my friend. The Place -pamporovo needs to go down drastically before any signs of recovery.
Cheers from the place to be- You can guess where this is-somewhere with masses of snow.

Hopefully these constructive debates will help. We cant do much about the drop in sterling prices its no ones fault but the greedy bankers, but it certainly makes a big difference in the costs. Last years lift pass skis boots poles etc cos about £125 through this site this year its probably nearer £160 (still reasonable I know) but if the slopes are poorly groomed and prepared etc it doesnt help. a taxi if your unfortunate to be out of the main resort costs between 15 & 20 lev for about 5 minute ride now thats approx £7 to £10 which is expensive in anyones language and to be honest its one of my main gripes, ok I dont mind a walk but a couple of times an evening with family is a bit much, excessive costs up the mountain is also a big problem. Its very obvious the people running this site and on the ground in the resort recognise there is a big problem hence the surveys and the meetings. The web cams have also shown much fewer people ths year on the slopes so I suspect a big downturn in visitors although maybe more due to the financial problems around the globe. Lets hope forthcoming meetings are fruitful and things improve.

Mickey - I speak (I think) for many people who supprt my actions of deleting most of your posts. Constructive citisium is never deleted from this discussion board.

However from the word go you have constantly run Bulgaria down with sarcastic jibes at other posters as well as damming the resorts, the country, the people and the tourists.

You obviously have not properly read my post otherwise you will have understood that I have acknowledged the problems in Bulgaria and rather than just moan and groan and grizzle and grunt as you do ALL THE TIME, I am actively doing whatever I can to try and effect a change. Little as that may be, one word of positive, constructive debate is better than a million words of negative complaints.

I am a personal friend of someone who owns a substantial amount of the major bars hotels and restaurants in Pamporovo and I will pull no punches when I meet him.

Alternatively, I could always sit at my desk and type the sort of drivel that seems to make you tick.

So, the choice is - sit on our asses and moan, or take the issue to those who need to listen. Whether they do listen or not is beyond my control, but they are there to make money, as we all are when involved in business, and I am dammed sure they will realise that by seeing their footfall down by almost 50% during some weeks this season that something need to happen PDQ if they are to halt the slide.

Enjoy you're holiday Mikey wherever you are - what does baffle and perplex me is why, when you are in a totally different country, you even bother coming on here for no other reason than to upset those who have saved up for their holidays for months only to read your description of their chosen destination as a hell hole. Which it most certainly is not.

If your that bothered about it, and you want things to improve - do something about it rather than whinge day in and day out.

Thank you for describing me as weak - I like to think I am a much stronger person than you, as I am actually trying to do something.

You?