Bulgaria Ski discussion board

For those new to Pamporovo this season, here is a brief run-down on what to expect.

ARRIVAL
You will arrive at one of two airports, Sofia or Plovdiv.
Sofia is a reasonable airport, but not on a par with Gatwick or anything like that. It is functional and you will find it fine for facilities and general requirements. Downside is that the transfer is 4 hours.
Plovdiv was never built as a commercial airport, but is in fact a converted military base used only in the winter for commercial flights. It is very, very basic and is not an airport you would want to spend more time than is absolutely necessary in. It has just one small cafe and very few other facilities. The good thing is that it is only a 90 minute transfer to Pamporovo. I have travelled through here about 20 times and it's fine by me as it takes 2 and a half hours off my travelling time and that suits me to a tee.

HOTELS
Hotels are generally warm clean and comfortable but the star rating standards are far lower than what you would expect in the UK. A 4 star hotel in Bulgaria is about the same as a 2 star in the UK. Food is OK despite what others may say, but if you are used to a wide choice of courses you may find the hotels a little restrictive here.
Breakfast are usually buffet style and offer a choice of eggs, sausages, bacon (more like cooked ham) toast, fruit, cereal, cheeses, plus endless coffee, tea, and fruit juices.
There are usually about 3-4 choices of evening meals, but don't be surprized if the same choices are on offer almost every night.

My top hotels would be.....
Morgavetts
Pamporovo
Perelik

SKIING
Instructors in Pamporovo are widely acknowledged as amongst the best in Europe. Nearly all speak great English and love nothing more than having a laugh as well as being brilliant at getting you to the next level in your sport.

Some great easy runs, you can travel from the very top of the mountain to the base on easy green runs.
There are also some testing long reds and of couse the famous Black Run --- THe Wall which is not for the faint hearted. Lifts are basic, there are no gondelas in Pamporovo but they are efficent and queues are rarely a problem in the resort.

Eating on the slopes is a real treat, with loads of cafes and resturants all over the mountain. My favourite is Spyders at the middle station. Try their pancakes mmmmmm.

Drink is cheap in Bulgaria and spirit measures are at least 3 times bigger than in the UK.

Nightlife tends to revolve around the Perelik area with the most poplular being BJ's, Daks and the new White Hart. Bars stay open usually until approx. 4am.

The lev is the currency and exchange rate is approx. 2.7 levs to the pound sterling. Work on 3 levs to the pound and you won't be far out.

Ski gear and equipment are both cheap and very good quality provide to buy at one of the main shops and not from a stall.

In short, allow Bulgaia into your heart and it will never let you down. In over 20 years I have found the Bulgarian people to be friendly, passionate and genuine to a fault and if you enjoy going there half as much as I do....... you'll have a ball!!!!!



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PP