Just Back from Borovets

Just came back from Borovets on Saturday 8th of Jan after a weeks skiing.

We had snow on the 3rd and 4th Jan and nothing since. Temp went up by the end of the week so most had melted. Snow coverage is mainly machine made. Good runs were via the Yastrebretz Express which you get to via minibuses opposite the Samokovo Hotel. Bit of a walk down to from the Rila. Beware of people pushing in, we Brits are too polite, watch out for the Russians :x .

Runs infront of the Rila Hotel was compact and icey. A bit tricky for beginners. Many accidents on the ice including a few breakages. :?

Other than that we had a good week with excellent tuition on the Reds and the Hotel Rila was superb. Stayed half board and the food and general service was good. :thumbup:

A note for groups of different standards having lessons. You will be on the slopes for 5 hours stopping for lunch with your instructor. If you have children make sure they have some Levs with them for lunch as you will not see them until the end of the day. Some parents think this is great, others were dissapointed not to catch up with them until 3:30pm.

The first morning is chaotic getting sorted with Ski packs from Crystal at the morning meeting (took an hour due to so many people), then queuing for Skis etc (another hour). Then being tested to place into your respective ski class. We had to push to have our 2 children in the same class, Intermediate-Advanced (There Ages 8 and 11). They didn't believe our kids were that good and tried to force them into childrens' classes which were for beginners. It was agreed they could stay with us particularly after our test. Our instructor Danni was fantastic who brought our skiing on more than we expected. :thumbup:

We were a bit cautious going to Borovets after the slating it's had on this forum. The resort is more for the beginner/intermediate. The more hardened advanced skier would be advised to seek elsewhere. For us we found it charming, friendly with lots to offer, even if there wasn't much snow. Certainly value for money if on a tight budget, and would certainly go back again. And before you ask, we have skied in Niederau Austria, Yllas Finland and Meribel/3 Valleys France over the past 5 years.

An excellent website to use is: http://www.borovets-bg.com/

Glyn

Interesting and informative. Thanks Glyn.

Finally some positives about Borovets.

So many people slate it who haven't even been there. I had 2 fantastic weeks there, and value for money is second to none.

.. and the lap dancers are fit!!!!

Good to hear a first hand report. I a one who won't go due to reports I have heard, due to size of ski area, and due to 3rd world infrastructure. But glad to hear someone had a good time.

The ski area is quite large when it's covered in snow. As regards to the third world infrastructure. It's not quite as it seems. A Crystal rep informed us that even though Bulgaria looks it, they still have all the latest high tech gadgets and top of the range furniture and fittings behind the drab exterior.

Glyn wrote:The ski area is quite large when it's covered in snow.

58km is not what I call quite large. Its only slightly bigger than Niederau

Tony,
Niederau has 70 Km of piste.

Glyn,
I'm glad you had a good time in Borovets :D

Ally

AllyG wrote:Tony,
Niederau has 70 Km of piste.

Glyn,
I'm glad you had a good time in Borovets :D

Ally

As far as I can find out is that the Wildschonau area has 70km of piste