First Time Bulgarian Skier

dontfalldown wrote:

hey its a poor country, you get what you pay for.

Yes, but I dont pay for beggars, robbery and mafiosa, thanks.

Have seen the 2 faces of Bansko - a short off peak break in late March 2007 was very pleasant with everyone appearing very charming and very enjoyable skiing even if parts of the town loooked like a bomb site - watch where you walk or you'll break an ankle/leg just walking round town never mind the slopes - though the older part of the toen and some of the older bar/resturants were fantastic.

What a difference when i went back in a peak week with the family in 2008 - total chaos for lift passes, gondola, parking, ski school and in many cases grossly inflated prices since it was a busy week with everyone discourteous or disinterested. Suffice to say we ended up booking flights to fly home 3 days early as it was the worst ski holiday we had ever had.

Personally I'd stick with Austria for organistaion and great apres ski, or if you want a high snow sure but reasonably priced resort try Passo Tonale not the most picturesqu of locations but the El Bait bar does some fantastic unusual beers as well as free apres ski snacks which always makes a nice end to the day.

Dave

Mr_Cellophane wrote:i am thinking of going somewhere different from France.
When does the Bulgarian season start ?
Is everything cheap compared to the more usual Eupopean resorts ?
Any other tips ?

Thanks

So, where in Western Europe have you now decided upon?

I 2nd rusyinns comments. Bansko is nothing like Borovets or Pamporovo. Half term in Feb is a nightmare, due to the increase in visitors. Last year I went to Bansko at the start of March and the year before that, early Feb. The first year, we queued for about 45mins to get on the gondola, before realising that we were hitting it at peak times when everyone else is trying to get up there for their 10am lesson. Last year, we left about 30mins earlier and there was no queue and we were able to walk straight up the stairs and onto a gondola. As for queues once up in the the mountain, I would agree that sometimes there are queues, but nothing more than a 5min wait and the lifts are very fast, so no complaints from me.

In terms of cost, Bansko is very reasonable, and that's going to be even more relevant this year with the pound dropping against the Euro. Where else in Europe could you take £250 spending money, eat and drink out every night and still come home with change?

That said, Bansko could do with more runs. This year, there are 70km, so if you don't like to travel the same run twice, then one of the larger European resorts might be better.

Went to Borovets feb 1/2 term and stayed in the Rila, which you can ski right into the back door.lifts/gondela busy around 10o/c but all other times no problem. Food in the Rila ok, good breakfast but some evening meals a bit dodgey. Eat out some nights and found prices very cheap.
Drinking outside hotel is alot cheaper. Loved the place and we are going back for new year, just hope the snow is as good as last Christmas!I have 2 boys aged 11&15 they loved it, sleging outside in the evening under flood lights. You can also ski under flood lights at night but you have to pay for the lifts as your lift pass doen't cover this.

Sounds too cheap and un-Cheerful for my taste

We stayed at the Rila when the boys were young. My OH and I had a competion to see who could kill the most cockroaches in the bedroom. Can't remember who won, but the total was over 50. :shock:

this is a review of the Samokov I wrote last year
BIG hotel, nice room ,which as the previous reviewer said was a little rough round the edges..cant really fault it but for a skiing resort they do not provide a ski room ,you have to pay the ski shop 25 lev to keep your skis for a week but they sharpened and serviced mine overnight for the same price. The food was plentiful ,edible but you served yourself with a ladle! it would be OK if you were a veggie as well. The cutlery was amusing..i thought they would bend if i pressed too hard i have used plastic which were better. A bit upmarket Butlins! but not by much

Shame about the resorts lift system and maintenance. As a skier I would not go to Bulgaria again ..they need to invest some money in the resorts ..up to European standards...in 1975...old lifts, not many pistebashers and surly staff..I know you can't legislate for no snow but you could make the best of it when you get it...
I did notice that better quality skis and boots were availible this year from the hire shops but there was some old rubbish about and some friends said the instruction was of debatable quality.

have a look in http://www.tripadvisor.com for more

but I think it would be Ok for a beginner