Bulgaria

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Optimistic DH is looking for skiing this winter. He's come up with two resorts in Bulgaria.

• Boverets
• Bankso.

The trip is for an extremely good adult skier, 9yo and 7yo experienced skiers, plus an adult who won't be skiing, so needs other stuff to keep them entertained. (I may hire equipment for a day or two, but I don't enjoy it. May try Cross country though).
One resort has a longer transfer, but has more other stuff.

Has anyone been to either resort and can they recommend?

I have been to Borovets. There were some good long runs but I don't think there was much variety for an experienced skier.

It was however a long time ago that I went and things could have changed since.

Don't do it. It's awful.

Not been but heard Bulgaria is a bit rubbish for those that can actually ski. Not anywhere near challenging enough.
That said we were going to go this winter and as it stands with quarantine situations etc I would say extremely unlikely we’ll be going.

I've not been but haven't heard great things about Bulgaria from friends who have been. Particularly for experienced skiiers. I think it's pretty run down as well so not sure there'd be much for the non-skier.

It's cheap for a reason, go somewhere else

I have been to Bansko and Pamporovo. I cannot ski now due to a broken back but as a single parent DD loves to ski and we cut our clothe. You are not going to the alps, neither are you paying for it. Experienced skiers may be bored but is it that or no ski holiday?
Bansko is a proper town with loads of things to do nearby. The food is amazing if you like turkish/ Greek cuisine. Bansko has loads of unfinished hotels in the upper part which is why a pp probably refers to it as rundown.
If you pick the right ski school then the instruction is 10× better than France etc. Avoid feb half term because it is one gondola up to the mountain. We do easter and try to go somewhere else in Feb. Sun and ski at the end of the season.

Lots of thermal resorts nearby and Bulgaria is a beautiful country. Book Lucky, Premier or Kepinski resorts- all have shuttles straight from heated boot rooms to the gondola and amazing spas. There is no ski in/out.

Just go with an open mind. It is cheap yes, but there is no need for snobbery. It is what it is. The transfer may be long but pretty cheap using get transfer.

Just to add, Poinia Brasov in romania is amazing, tiny but the best skiing instruction we have ever come across. Also consider Georgia where you can source 1-2-1 for about £10 ph. Most 'advanced' skiers are not as great as they think they are, so heading to a lesser resort may mean less thrills but it could also offer an opportunity to have some cheap 1-2-1 and improve technique

There is a reason why Borovets is cheap.

Time for a youtube classic - (contains swearing)

I haven’t been to Bulgaria. I definitely wouldn’t go there next season. We normally go to France and have booked to go to France this time. Firstly we have skied there for many years with our kids and know the resorts and their snow records well. Secondly if in the worst case we got covid we can speak French and know the health service there is at least as good as the uk. We are also driving in the hope of avoiding picking up covid in the first place. at the moment France is on the list of quarantine countries but the list of quarantine countries could be completely different by the time the ski season starts. If we can’t go ahead with our holiday due to travel restrictions we will postpone it.

People tend to look at Bulgaria because its really good value but actually if you are looking at school holiday dates the prices even up a bit anyway.
Also, I am not sure what Bulgaria would be like this year because of Covid, but it does have a reputation for being very boozy and a bit of a lad magnet. They may stay at home this year if no apres, or it may continue and be quite risky.
Have you looked at Italy or some of the lesser known resorts of France or Austria that are better value?
Sorry to add to those not being too enthusiastic!

I've been to Bansko and it was lovely. I'm not a pro skier and Bansko was more than enough plus it has lovely restaurants and is a beautiful town, so you definitely won't get bored there.

If experienced skiers I'd give both resorts a very wide birth

Thanks. I'll pass the opinions onto DH. (My contributions to ski holidays is pure survival
I'm unteachable apparently)