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Advice when coming to ski in Bulgaria
Advice when coming to ski in Bulgaria
Advice when coming to ski in Bulgaria
- MOUNTAIN RESCUE
Please, just in case, write down and take with you the phone numbers of the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service.
If you have problems in the mountain they will help you:
Bansko mountain rescue service: (+359) 887 100 241, (+359) 88 1474, (+359) 749 8 8132
Borovets mountain rescue service: (+359) 887 100 243; (+359) 7503 2450; (+359) 88 1473
Pamporovo mountain rescue service: (+359) 309 58336; (+359) 1475
Chepelare mountain rescue service: (+359) 309 58336; (+359) 1475
- BULGARIAN TAXI DRIVERS
If you can, call a reputable company like OK Supertrans (tel: +359 2 91119), with new cars and fixed rates. Taxis can be taken from a taxi rank. The other option is to stop one in motion. Ensure the driver turns on the meter at the start of the journey. You should ask for a receipt and if you have any complaints write down the driver’s details from the obligatory pass with their name and number and report to the company later, rather than tackling them directly as this could be dangerous.
- TAKE YOUR MOBILE PHONE IN BULGARIA
You can use your mobile phone in Bulgaria. Currently there are 3 GSM operators –Mtel, Globul, Vivacom. The more popular, with bigger coverage is called Mtel. Most of the skiing areas are signal covered, so you can use your phone. British users of Vodafone or BTCellnet can use their mobile phones in Bulgaria. Before coming to Bulgaria, please call your mobile operator and ask them about the price they will charge you for using your phone in Bulgaria, as the charge is few times higher than making calls in your country.
- BRING STERLING, US DOLLARS OR EURO CASH
All popular credit cards (Visa, Master Card, AMEX and etc.) are accepted in the biggest shops and all banks in Bulgaria. In 1997 the Bulgarian currency LEV was equalised to 1 DEM, and this rate never changes. Since 2002, LEV is equalised to EURO currency and the rate of exchange is 1 EURO = 1.96 LEV, this rate never changes.
When looking for good rate to exchange your EURO into levs, it is advisable to look for a place where for 1 EURO they will give around 1.95 LEVS. Also, be very careful when exchanging currency - quite often on the sign in front of the exchange offices is written some rate, but inside they will use lower rate. To prevent from losses, we advice you always ask the person exchanging money "how much levs will I get for 100 EURO (DOLLARS, STERLING, etc.)". Having this figure you can easily calculate if they are really giving as much as written on the window.
Important! Never leave any kind of valuables or cash in your hotel room.
Please use the safety deposit boxes available in the reception desks of the hotels.
- USE OUR DISCUSSION BOARD OR COMMENTS PAGE
We recommend you check our discussion board or comments page to learn about the experience and advice of the skiers who already visited Bulgaria. Please share your impressions or ask questions in the discussion board and help yourselves and the others.
Check out also How to ski tips for beginners.
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Ana Whitton From UK
Sent on 06 March 2019I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email. We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied. The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels. We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags . Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isn’t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious. Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didn’t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners. We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car. The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent! Thank you all -
Tommyboy From Scotland
Sent on 07 April 20185th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste. Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis. I am sure we will be back in the future. -
Mitko From Bulgaria
Sent on 28 February 2018Dear all, Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents. The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago. So be careful when skiing in Borovets! -
Lene willsea From N.i
Sent on 28 February 2018I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs. -
Neo From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2018The hotel it’s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging. There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor. Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm. Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... won’t even go to details about the rest of the food. As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant aren’t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the �free’ word. There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. It’s main let down it’s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude. -
Nigel Buckle From United Kingdom
Sent on 17 December 2017I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'. A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design. The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district. As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley. Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular. In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself ! -
Liz From England
Sent on 19 November 2017I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasn’t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didn’t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018. -
val From United Kingdom
Sent on 15 February 2017group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx
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