Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Taken from Standart News today

Five Leva for a Cup O'Tea in Borovets

"For Bulgarians the price is 5 leva" - this is the sign standing prominently at the entrances of refreshment outlets at the Markudjik ski runs in Borovets. The prices are astronomical, they hit the Bulgarians straight in the pocket. That is why the winter resort is brimming over with foreigners. They can afford local restaurants, having fun and skiing. The restaurant-keepers recognize Bulgarians at first sight. The prices in the resort itself are more affordable than those up on the ski runs. The small cafes in the resort charge 2 leva for a cup of tea or coffee. A small rakia sells at 4 leva, a glass of wine costs 3 leva. A plate of chicken soup and Shopska salad will relieve your wallet of 4 leva. To ski in Bansko is a costly treat. Many people are openly discontent about the sky-high hotel and restaurant prices in the resort. "I admit that all ski facilities are new, but one really pays through the nose here. Not only my compatriots, but also tourists from Austria and Germany complain of padded prices", says Vasko Dimov from Macedonia. He is an owner of a coffee house disco club and a carting track in Ohrid. Vasko paid 580 euro for six nights in a 3-star hotel for himself, his wife and two children. "For comparison, I can tell you that the winter resorts of Austria offer a 5-night stay for 250 euro per person and accommodation for children below 12 is cost-free. In Bansko we pay for them 75 percent of the price for an adult", he says further. He is really baffled at the potholed streets and doesn't understand how the waiters can be so rude with the guest. In Austria they would do anything to please a customer. On top of everything, the Bulgarian tour operators, for no apparent reason, wouldn't give out till the last moment the skipass prices. Most of the tourists see 28 leva a day as a bit too much, but once in the resort, they have no choice. The bad thing is that they will hardly become "return guests", Dimov reckons.
Vladimir Simeonov
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Seems that PP is right with his feeling about this. Myself paid 5 Lev for a choc!
Belgium greetings
Tanjette

Hi Tanjette

I had a really good time in Pamps this year with prices, We stayed at the Markony and regularly ate at the same place up on the slopes and thought the prices were still very cheap - We ate at a little restaurant hut below the Big Brothers (very near to the half pipe) an average meal for lunch included 3 hot chocolates, 2 brandies (not Rakia) 1 coke, 1 Chicken Soup with Bread, 2 Cheese and Ham toasties (open), 1 portion of cheesy chips and a Garlic Naan bread.

Total Price = 18 lev and a few stinkys

Also cup of tea 1 lev

This was not a mistake it was the regular price we paid, the owner showed us the 'other' menu for ski schools they added about 30% on as they had to pay the ski instructors to come in - I think this was the same for all other restaurants with ski schools.

The Markony was as cheap - we really struggled to spend a lot of money.

MM Pete

I must say i think borovets is getting to be a rip off,
People seems to want to compare the prices in bulgaria with other european resorts, but the diffrence is theses resorts in austria and france have far higher costs, the cost of living in europe is far higher than bulgaria , so why when the average price for a round if drinks in samokov town for 5 people is less than 1 drink in borovets?
i paid 8 lev for a chockie brandy in borovets and 12 lev for 2 rounds of drinks in samokov town for 5 people.
and a 10 min pony abd trap ride came to 25 lev !
I will go back next year cos i enjoy the place but if the costs keep rising i will reconsider.
Kel