Ski Resorts in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has been a popular choice for British learners and improvers for more than 20 years. It was EXCEPTIONALLY cheap when it was an Iron Curtain country, but lacked just about everything apart from good cheap skiing and tuition. The food was terrible, there were few amenities, and even basics such as scented soap and whisky were almost impossible to acquire and could only be bought by Western Europeans from the 'Dollar Shop'.
Nowadays things have greatly improved (although sometimes the hotel food can still be an acquired taste!).
Good food, however, can be purchased cheaply from numerous restaurants in the resorts.
The traditional popular resorts of Borovets and Pamporovo still dominate the market, but the ever improving and expanding resort of Bansko looks set to take pole position in the near future.
Bulgaria is a great place to learn to ski as not only is it cheap but also the ski instruction is second to none - and all the instructors have to speak good English before they are allowed to qualify.
Last season the bargain deal of the year was a last minute Half Board trip to Pamporavo for £84 !!! The only other things still needed were midday meals (still cheap at the mountain restaurants) and a ski pack. The cost of this plus the above flights, accom & half board came to a total of just £174 !!!.
You would pay this in some other European resorts just for the lift pass.
The Bulgarians also seem to be making an effort to improve other aspects of their resorts too. Their apres ski facilities are greatly improved and they now have plenty of bars, restaurants, discos, bowling alleys, shops, swimming pools, etc.
They have improved their lift systems too and skis, boots, bindings, although still not as current as other countries, are now of good enough quality for all but the most discerning.
If, however, you still want higher quality you can normally pay an extra fee and acquire these 'specials' from the back of the shop!
All in all, a great country if you are a learner or improver but If you are an advanced skier, I would give it a miss.
Borovets
* ** ****
My first venture on to the slopes.
A great place to go for the first time skier.
There are good skiing areas for beginners and the more experienced. My partner has skied for many years and she found Borovets very enjoyable. Food and drink is very cheap as were the little nights out arranged by the rep.
Ski school was very good and the instruction was first class. The resort has some good instructors. I was skiing on 'Red Runs' by the end of the week and having a fantastic time! Ski hire equipment was not good and all of us in the ski school had blisters and pains in the lower legs. Make sure you take your time getting the right boot (I changed mine three times). The skis we had were not new by any means. In saying that, a lot of the hotel ski schools had good equipment.
The instructors appeared to be looking after the children very well. Plenty of bars and restaurants. B&B would be a good option if you stay in the centre of the resort as we found the food to be so cheap.
We are returning this year before Bulgaria joins the Euro and gets expensive.
RodEglin
We have just returned from our second visit to Borovets. We again, stayed at the 'Ela' hotel.
This year it was noticeable that the ski hire equipment was much improved on our last visit. Skis were of a much higher quality than two years ago. In saying that, some members of our party had problems with boots although the quality of some of the hire boots has definitely improved.
This time some of us took our own equipment to Borovets and stored it in the 'Borosports' depot under the Gondola. The staff in there are very helpful and did their best to accommodate us. It was also very cheap as we paid 40 Lev (around £14) for the week for two of us (skis and poles). A new Gondola will be available in the resort for next year as the present one is affected too much by the wind and is closed too often.
Good weeks skiing and instruction.
Good snow in the resort and good skiing was had by all.
We enjoyed it so much, we are returning in March for another week (and yes, we are staying at the Ela)
Rod Eglin
Pamporovo
* ** ****
Small, budget resort which is great for beginners, fair for intermediates, limited for advanced. Only one black run which has a challenging steep mogul field for the top 25 metres then it levels out to little more than red. Only two other red runs (they list as black but aren't) to compliment this. Plenty of good quality, pretty tree lined runs for novices.
The instruction is good and all instructors have to pass exam in spoken English before they can qualify. All skiing requires lift up mountain which could create bottleneck but fortunately efficient 3 man chairlift ensure queues are rare (as long as you avoid morning start of ski school).
Only 8 lifts in total (5 chair & 3 drags). 25 km of pistes, Longest run 3.8Km (red). Majority of hotels within easy walking, or skiing, distance of bottom chair. Furthest away is only ten minutes on free ski bus.
Amenities not as abundant as pricier resorts, but cheap drink & food & entertainment (food is basic) but this economy is offset by cost of flying to get there.
Great sunshine record sometimes means snow can be slushy in afternoon. Skied there at New Year when temperature was 21 degrees C. Great skiing in morning, but was forced into concentrating on drinking during afternoon as snow was melting.
Still highly recommended, however, for beginners/improvers.
James Masters