Bulgaria Ski discussion board

We went just after Christmas 2008 and whilst not expert skiers had a fantastic skiing experience, BUT Bulgaria needs to get into the real world as our stay at the Samakov was a bad experience, poor food and the rooms are very dated. But we are going again however would urge everyone who stays at the hotels to complain at the shabby food, because we found every hotel gave the same shabby service regarding food. Get this right and people are more likely to go again and again, the travel companies need to pressurise the hotels into providing good honest food and drink. We will be going again to Bulgaria BUT we are going to a private Chalet to ensure good food and service

Why go to Bulgaria???

I know this will please a lot of people cause this is why most people want to ski and board in BG:

1. It continues to be a cheaper altenative - look for the right places and it beats the rest of europe hands down for value - my advice is avoid the tourist bars and eateries!!!

2. Piste maintenace has been poor in the past but it gets better each year and will continue to do so while people give constructive feedback - The Green run this year down through the Monasry to mid-station and down to Malina is the best i have seen it in 4 years!!

3. It has no big ski areas in pamps i agree - Do your own reasearch before you go - Pamps has never once proffessed to be a Big Mountain! you go to Bansko for that!!

4. It has unrealiable snow sometimes - Doesn't the rest of Europe too? You can not predict the weather but again DYOR - if you do, like us you will pick the weeks when conditions are most likely the best. I have boarded everyday that i have wanted too in the last 4 years!! FACT

5. Bulgarians are great people and responsive to Nice Brits!! If you treat people with Respect you get it back ten fold in this country!! Try to learn a few words of the language and they will light up everytime they see you. Don't be another typical ignorant British arse!

6. Medical facilities - Thankfully the only thing i have needed is a few headache pills after a heavy night so i can not comment - The new medical centre in pamps looks very good to me though. Remember it is a developing country though and only just in the EU. I would say the NHS is a bag of crap too if you ask me!!

I too could go on - but i have just wasted enough time answering your silly questions and my morning coffee cup is now only half full and needs a top up

Nuff said and case firmly closed!!!

PSP

I go to Bansko, as it's the only ski resort where I can afford stay in a near 5 star hotel the Kempinski, very good food and great service, best hotel ski locker I have come across. Next to the gondola, good mountain infrastructure; lift and runs and snow park when built are fine, another bonus for us is being able to afford private lessons to get us into the tree line and gentle off piste and Bansko is a fun place compared to some European resorts I have visited in the past couple of years. Perhaps I am fortunate in that I have been able to afford 2 ski/board holidays a year but we have really enjoyed the Bansko holidays but really it's the hotel and mountain that attracts us.

We have been going to Borovets for the last 6 years, my youngest daughter learnt to ski there at 3 years old, both kids now ski with us and are probably better then us. We love Borovets, the people are friendly and helpful, as you say treat them with respect and nothing is too much trouble. Unfortunately this year I did have to use the medical centre but have to say found it fantastic, within 5 minutes I had seen the doctor, been taken to the 24 hr medical centre and had an xray on my wrist. After 10 minutes I had wrist strapped up, painkillers and cream/gel stuff and was on my merry way. We came back on 3rd January and I'd probably still be waiting for my xray appointment with the NHS here. Couldn't fault it. We are going back for 7th time next year, off to France in April but my heart belongs to Borovets.

I guess you reap what you sow - were you miserable to them? I find the BGs helpful freindly and am going back for a second time this year. I respect the country and it's people and help then try and improve their facilities by providing helpful comments where necessary as there are improvements than can be made - sure. Personally I like the quirkiness of the place. Please do not expose yourself and your family to Borovets as I'm going back and I want it full of happy people not miserable gits.

1)Its no longer the cheap alternative.
- A great many people disagree.

2)Piste maintenance is at best poor, at worst dangerous
- Piste maintenance is poor compared to other countries. However many aren't bothered too much because they're on holiday so they just get on with it, skiing that is.

3)No big ski areas
- If this of and by itself was a problem then every small ski resort in France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland would have folded but they remain open because people visit them and Bulgarian ski resorts.

4)unreliable snow
-There is enough snow for the majority of once a year skiers. Hence one reason why it is has been running for decades.

5)Bulgarians...miserable, un helpful and at times only looking to steal what they can.
-A sweeping statement like this is saying more about the original poster than Bulgarians.

6)medical facilities- third world
-No experience of this so can't comment. Plenty of adventurous brits every year go to South/central America and Northern Africa. If it is serious the insurance company will arrange for treatment in the UK.