Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Sitting here this morning, reading the threads about who will, and who will not return to Pamporovo I find myself drifting back 20 years or so when it all began for me. I remember the first time I set foot in Pamporovo and instantly had a feeling that this place was something special. I remember how warm and friendly the people were, and how they would do anything just to be my friend. I remember the crazy nights we had in BJ's and The Old White Hart (now sadly gone) and how they were packed to the rafters with happy revellers paying 20p for a pint of beer and just 10p when it was happy hour. How a cracking evening meal out with wine and all the trimmings for 4 would set me back all of £8. How a taxi driver knocked my hotel door one day and handed me my sunglasses that I had left in his taxi, and how he refused point blank to accept any money in return.

I remember snow so deep that it was almost impossible to walk anywhere for fear of disappearing in the drifts. I remember first posing on this board, and although my total today is something over 10,500 posts, you can add another 7,000 to that which appeared on the old site which was upgraded about 5 years ago. I remember talking to a stranger in the Perelik lift about the site, and in those days I was just known as Pete. He said "oh, you must be Pamporovo Pete" - and the handle that I have used ever since was born.

I remember being given pots of honey or chewing gum by the shops as they had no money to give change, I remember water and electricity off for days on end, and hotel receptions with no money to change your currency.

I suppose for many years that was all I ever wanted. I was happy, and so were my fellow travellers, and those of you who experienced Pamporovo all those years ago will know exactly what I mean. It was basic, it was crude, it was almost like stepping back in time - and we loved every minute of it.

I remember bringing back BJ. A stray dog that was about to be shot until Angie and I stepped in. It cost us over £4,000 to get him back, but it was the best £4,000 we ever spent. Sadly we lost him to Cancer 3 years later, and I still hurt everytime I think of him - he was the best dog anyone could have ever wished to own.

But like BJ, it's gone - never to return.

Instead I read of travellers being charged extortionate prices for drinks and chocolate, and taxi rides and other basic things we spend our money on whilst abroad. Maybe we got it wrong. Maybe when we stood in bars saying how cheap it all was that we were too naive to realise that Bulgarians are not stupid, and if it's too cheap - then lets charge more - and more - and more - and more until we find ourselves as we do today, with more posters complaining about Bulgaria rather than praising it as we did all those years ago.

Maybe I am wrong to try as I do to defend the undefendable - by saying how wonderful it all is when deep down I am really, really worried that the place has inploded due to the influx of so many people trying to make a fast buck and who cares about tomorrow.

To be honest - I DO.

I know we cannot turn back the clock - I know we cannot halt what is already happening. But we can tell those who have a major influence on the resort that we care enough to want to make a difference and that is why I would like everyone of you to reply (if you have not done so already) to Galinas post so that she can confront the power people and tell them what we all think.

Sorry this has rattled on - but I am so pationate about this place, to see it die a slow and painful death hurts me to the core.

Finally - can I please ask you to listen to the track I have posted below and listen very carefully to the words...

It sums up exactly what I am thinking today.

Pete

THE FAMOUS FINAL SCENE

Pamporovo Pete

Like you I remember my first magical adventure in Pamporovo and the old Snezhanka with orange curtains on rusty rails, dark brown hairy floor coverings, showers that blew you away and double glazing that was simply two sets of windows.

I remember the nights of the Powercut in the resort due to heavy snow when the party continued by candle light.

The magic of skiing the green run for the first time as a beginner...it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

We cannot turn the clock back but we can return to the basics you have outlined above while still allowing the local Bulgarians to make profit margins at least twice if not three times greater than in the rest of Europe.

I have no answers to the snow problems, other than those I have already suggested re clearing the slopes and planting grass that can be cut in the closed season.

I don't think anyone could have expressed the feelings we all have better than you have just done. You have captured the magic and spoken with sincerity.

Cheers

Although I am a Boro girl, I too remember my early skiing holidays in BG starting 20 years ago. I am glad things changed for the BG people as I found it embarrassing having so much whilst the people had next to nothing, apart from big hearts. I always went home with empty cases and long lists of items to bring out the next year.

Unfortunately SOME have moved things too far along the scale and see tourists as easy pickings. Unless we band together with the average BG resident, who are just as concerned, the main tourist spots will no longer be attractive places to visit for the western traveller.

Somewhere in the middle would be the ideal - good value, in line with the limited skiing experience compared to the Alps and North America/Canada, with BG's unique charm still in tact.

I know the thread is about Pamporovo but I think it also applies to other resorts. As tourists, we also must play our part in trying to achieve the ideal by conducting ourselves in a responible manner and letting people see we are not push overs. Taking advice from others how to prevent incidents happening and that we are not 'ever growing money trees' is a start, as with petitions.

I love BG too much not to want to try in anyway possible to achieve harmony.

First time ever skiing for us was Jan 1999 - Pamps - by Wednesday 2 of us never ever ever wanted to put those stupid things on our feet again ! By Friday, I remember going all the way down the green, stopping where I wanted to stop , not falling over once ! It was the best feeling of my life. Back home on Saturday, tears inside ! The best holiday I had ever had. The glazed looks when we spoke about skiing - I understood that look completely ! 365 sleeps I had to wait ! That's why we are back again this Saturday. I remember the sweets instead of the change, the 27p a packet of fags, the 40p for a pint, everything cheap as chips ! But time moves on and prices go up (everywhere). Bulgaria are in the EC now, prices will change, and it's not particularly the locals fault. If you went to Greece at the time the Euro came in, any local would tell you they hated it, prices had to change. That's life. We are going back because we have friends and we can't think of anything better than looking at the webcams everyday worrying our socks off about the depth of the snow - which nobody on God's earth can do anything about.
2 sleeps !!!!!!

I lost my cherry on a borovets slope,
Sking through the poles,
Left the rugby boys behind
To take the victory Rolls
No good with a ball
Graceful not to fall
On skis I learn't quite well
A passion in heart to swell
I bought my first drink,
sold my razor blades
No need for razor anyways
Not with my baby faced glaze
The monks sold me a pup,
A statue of plaster
I though nieve was wood
Wrapped up in brown paper
Blew up to dust
Grandad understood
To pamps I booked
but did not look
On site that told it plain
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be
We'll see if we come again
As long as we don't feel pain.

Hi Pete- only ever once to Pamps in 1989 with the Salomon ski team for a weks training- you summed it up perfectly- you went back in time, but the charm was so unbelievable and the folk so friendly, really appreciative you visited their country and chose their town etc.
I too ,used to leave things like white socks and jeans for mates we met (could hardly get them there then!)- a remember a nights free beer for all the team in a bar after giving the landlord a pair of jeans!
Times change, we all aknowledge that- but as you say- the future of the likes of Pamps does not bode well -unless their is a clear plan of how to ensure the survival of the resort, and to attract customrs back who have been dissapointed of late
You get networking when over there Pete spread the word!

Pete

Am packed and ready to go. Can't wait. I agree a clear plan is needed. But Galina and others are asking questions. Those of us who have taken the time to repy care and care deeply. If we can bring enough expertise to the table and the views of people like you who have stood up for Pamporovo for years are listened to things will recover.

Snow...I don't know maybe the climate change doom sayers are right I don't know. But there is always a balance to be struck and a limit as to how far you can push the boat out.

Customer satisfaction and an understanding of your market is always the key. The people posting are a sample of the market. I'm sure Galina and others didn't ask the questions if they didn't want to hear the answers. I don't see the criticisms as negative, just a pathway to getting things right.

I'll drink a toast to all who love Pamporovo on Saturaday at the middle station. We can bring the tourists back. Unfortunately my plans to video all the runs have been scuppered for this season but there is always next year.

Cheers