Bulgaria Ski discussion board

PAMPOROVO.

Not enough runs they said - so they built more.

Not enough lifts they said - so they built more.

Not enough cannons they said - so they installed more.

Not enough decent Hotels they said - so they built more.

Hotel food is rubbish they said - so they improved it 100%.

Not enough decent toilets they said - so they built more.

Poor hire equiptment they said - so they renewed them all.

No floodlit skiing they said - so they installed floodlights.

And then they have the audacity to raise the prices!

SCANDALOUS

Everything you say is correct Pete and should be appreciated by all. Raising prices in the resort is not an issue up to a point. If you attract 1200 tourists and charge them £20 more you make £24000. If you only attract 400 tourists and charge them £40 more you only make £16000 and that is what's happening.

I have worked so hard in recent years to promote Bulgaria and I can tell you that Bulgaria's oldest tour operator is struggling. Bulgaria Airlines actions has nothing to do with the lifts, snow cannons, hotels, toilets or floodlights not even the cost of fuel!!! its about milking tourists.

We had this discussion last year. Personally I loved Bulgaria the way it was twenty years ago because it was Bulgaria (nothing to do with prices) and have never complained. I'm not complaining now and I don't expect the old days to return when tourists were taking advantage. I'm just trying to put bums on seats and continue to bring people to a fantastic place with fantastic people and I can tell you its a struggle. I reassured countless new schools about Bulgaria last March and they are coming this season. They may not be back however and as 75% of Balkantours flights are school groups we cannot continue to loose customers.

Of course prices will rise but many Hotels are empty. Its all about balance and my contacts in the resort, mainly ski instructors are feeling the pinch with fewer tourists. Look at the number of ski instructors employed now compared with five years ago!

Would you not rather see a full resort of people falling in love with a great country. You have been a stalwart supporter of Pamporovo like I have. How would you suggest we bring the tourists back???

I think Fluter -the big big problem has been the snow and that has detered many from returning/going over the past 3 years.

From 1993 (my first visit) until about 2006 the snow was always brilliant, but then something seemed to change and the snow has been far less reliable ever since.

Add to that the developers who have half built accomodation and walked away with investors money it's little wonder the attitude towards Bulgarian people is not what is was.

I know you are singing very much from the same hymn sheet as me mate, us early pioneers perhaps are still craving for yesterday to return rather than accepting that today is how the future is unwinding.

But as I only go there 1 or 2 weeks a year I will still enjoy it to the full. Neither of us will have any real influence on what will or will not happen in the future so lets just enjoy what's left of what used to be Our Pamporovo - even though sadly that's not what it is anymore.

Fluter, I think the biggest problem is its reputation, Me for example only been skiing 3/4 years so a novice to it all never new anybody that had been skiing etc etc so had to do all my home work on the net , when you read things on trip adviser like ' wouldn't let my dog sleep in this hotel or bed fleas cold or warmed up food from the day before , filthy dirty cockroaches verywhere , etc etc it does put you of some what even if its mega cheap, and thats why we've never been, now we've got to know a few people they say its not that bad , not the ritz but good enough, ( well I hope it will be come the 2nd of jan will find out for ourselves)

Ok. The Orlovetz is one of the newest hotels in Pamporovo. It was built on the site of the old police station across from Pamporovo's oldest Hotel the Snezhanka. The Snezhanka has been completely renovated twice in the past 7 years. The advantage of your location is that the buses to the slopes start their journey in front of the Snezhanka so you will be first on the bus with no problem getting to the slopes. I presume you will be with the main ski school based at the Malina. Facilities there have been further upgraded for this season although the first morning may be busy. Lift passes are electronic. Zip them securely in a pocket that is not used. One on the sleeve of a coat is best, particularly kids coats so they don't loose them.

Food is different in Bulgaria but most hotels have a wide range of freshly cooked food and the old staple of chicken and chips is usually there for kids. There is plenty to do in the resort inc 10 pin bowling in the Perelik across the road.

On the mountain try Satch or Kavarma, good Bulgarian dishes. You also have Pizza etc for the kids but one between two if often enough. There is a short video of the green/blue on the site above.

Hope you have a great holiday. As Pete stated earlier its only the weather that we can't control and the Bulgarians are doing all they can to put snow on the slopes. I skied on the last week of the season last year in fantastic conditions.