Skiing in Borovets, worried by forum reviews, should I cancel and go to Alpes

First year we went with Crystal and paid over £800 for Bulgaria at Christmas.
Since then we have been booking an apartment, flights ect ourselves and have managed to get a cheaper deal that way. We are also able to got to a much better resort.

It does make a difference!

My wife and I have been a few times in Borovets in winter and summer and we love it. The atmosphere is unique and very friendly. The food is good in the many available restaurants (not in hotels!) and very cheap. The village has character and the skiing is good for beginners and intermediate although the number of ski runs is not comparable to what you can find in some areas in France. We never came across these ladies that you mentioned in your message. I would recommend to rent an apartment instead of going in one of the big hotels.

Holy resurrection Batman :shock:

Every time I see the word 'Borovets' I think of our friends who 'holidayed' there 3 years ago. They were given a plate of boiled cabbage each upon arrival at their accommodation. I kid you not.

They also had to hand in their rental boots and skis at the end of each day and then collect a new pair every morning. :shock:


They haven't been back.......or skied since.

Dont Go with family! Went in 91 (and 92) in large group of lads as was cheap. Our Hotel Rila was "red light" hotel. Food not edible. First day bread rolls stale. Told only replace when all eaten up. After countless cheap beer we broke into restaurant that night and stole all the rolls we could find. Following breakfast hey presto fresh rolls. ...but by third day were all stale. They chained up the door after meals so we couldnt do it again!. Equipment hire worst ever. My mate was given 1 Blue Rossinal and one Red/Yellow Dynstar (no spelling mistakes, just a poor copy!) Hire company would not change and we spent the week skiing trying to find other pair for a laugh. Kebab shop op Hotel Rila left the "elephant foot" meat out all night. Got up for 1st lift and saw it encased with snow, ice being chipped off by owner and 20 mins later serving for breakfast to the brits abroad! My kids (now 12 and 16) loved their 2 trips to Italy when similar age to yours. The Italians respect families. Due to half term increase in cost (cant take kids out of school anymore!) this year having 2nd year running in Andorra. Snow is better as well in "proper" Europe! DONT DO BULGARIA!

trevski1 wrote:Dont Go with family! Went in 91 (and 92) in large group of lads as was cheap. Our Hotel Rila was "red light" hotel. Food not edible. First day bread rolls stale. Told only replace when all eaten up. After countless cheap beer we broke into restaurant that night and stole all the rolls we could find. Following breakfast hey presto fresh rolls. ...but by third day were all stale. They chained up the door after meals so we couldnt do it again!. Equipment hire worst ever. My mate was given 1 Blue Rossinal and one Red/Yellow Dynstar (no spelling mistakes, just a poor copy!) Hire company would not change and we spent the week skiing trying to find other pair for a laugh. Kebab shop op Hotel Rila left the "elephant foot" meat out all night. Got up for 1st lift and saw it encased with snow, ice being chipped off by owner and 20 mins later serving for breakfast to the brits abroad! My kids (now 12 and 16) loved their 2 trips to Italy when similar age to yours. The Italians respect families. Due to half term increase in cost (cant take kids out of school anymore!) this year having 2nd year running in Andorra. Snow is better as well in "proper" Europe! DONT DO BULGARIA!

I went around that time & also stayed in the Rila hotel & the food was awful as said, the brochure stated " don't expect hot meals as the Bulgarians eat only lukewarm food " we used to fill up on warm soup & rolls. The main course used to be in a showcase & seeing it put you off. Ski hire :evil: as I put mine on I noticed the metal edge hanging off, but they did change them -) had my own boots luckily. Very small skiing area but did like the Tiger bar with its 2 for one deal & everything was very cheap over there including new ski gear.

I remember the "glass cabinet / showcase" Brooksy! The plate of food which had been left out all day to show the delightful food on offer! Had a chuckle to self when I read your reply!!! The main reason went 2 years running is 1} Had loads of Levs, the local currency left over as we just could not spend it all first year! and 2)we all bought skis (for just £11) and Marker bindings (£15)from a day trip to Sofia as last day couldnt ski as no snow. One of our group lost part of his bindings (or was sold it with a bit missing) and couldnt find the screws to secure it to the sandwich ski construction and could not get replacement in UK. Mate wanted to go back, (which we did) to try and find replacement bits LOL! He ended up buying complete set of new bindings for about £40.....so was still cheaper (only if you ignore the £200 he spent on the holiday......
Did you have the Mafia approaching you to "Psssst, Excusa Sir, You chain Monies" on the black market. We changed 1st year about £80 each on the first day with some dodgy chap driving an Audi Quatro when all other cars were Fso / Russian rust buckets,and got a fist full of Levs and just could not spend them all in the whole week. Beer, the staple diet, was less than 20p a pint. Drinking bottles of champagne for £2 just trying to spend the cash. In 92 the black market guys were selling or would swop any item for Pot Noodles!!!! (now theres a currency), and one chap kept approaching us every day in Hotel Rila foyer roughly translated saying "You want Half Price" You want "hats or ham". Rather niave as young men we thought he had a collection of cut price ski wear head gear and some meat as food was so poor. Didnt realise until many years later when telling a mate our crazy youthful holiday that Hats and Ham are slang for LSD / acid and Half Piece is 1/2 ounce of Herion or Coke!!!!! It must have improved in last 20 years but reading the forums not so sure!!!!!!

My sister in law went to Borovets and Bansko said avoid both Russians go there get drunk and start fights. Stayed in apartment which was filthy stained carpets. And everybody smokes...........yak............. I don't plan on going. Been to Are Sweden lovely place for beg. and intermediate skiers.