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Borovets

Borovets

Piste Rilahotel, Borovets

Borovets

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Borovets Resort Reviews

Resorts > Bulgaria (6) > Borovets

Visitor reviews for Borovets Ski Resort

  • March 28, 2013
    Peter Snook from United Kingdom

    Returned from Borovets on 23/3/2013. The snow was a bit hit and miss; the lower Rila area was not great. However, at the top of the gondola the snow was good, albeit the learner slopes had become hard ice. Very poor conditions for learners. We played off-piste at the left of the four man chair lift and had a good time with lots of new snow on the Saturday morning. Price for food and drink still the cheapest around! I have been 3 times now and always come away having had a good time. Oh and £105 for 6 day ski pass after 15/3 is a winner at the gondola.

  • Borovets Ratings

    Based on 50 votes. Vote

    Access: 3.9

    (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Borovets.

    		 Public Transport: 3.5

    (1) There are no buses or taxis to Borovets, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
    Scenery: 4.1

    (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

    		 Accommodation: 4.2

    (1) No places to stay in/near Borovets, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
    Cheap Rooms: 3.8

    (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

    		 Luxury Hotels: 3.7

    (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Borovets.
    Ski in/Ski out: 4.2

    (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

    		 Childcare: 3.5

    (1) There are no child care facilities at Borovets, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
    Snowsure: 3.7

    (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Borovets is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

    		 Snowmaking: 3.4

    (1) Borovets relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
    Snow Grooming: 3.9

    (1) There are no snow groomers at Borovets, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Borovets are groomed daily.

    		 Shelter: 3.7

    (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Borovets is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
    Nearby options: 2.8

    (1) If snow conditions are poor at Borovets, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

    		 Regional rating: 4.0

    (1) Borovets usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
    Lift Staff: 3.5

    (1) The staff at Borovets are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Borovets are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

    		 Crowds/Queues: 3.5

    (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
    Ski Schools: 4.2

    (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

    		 Hire and Repairs: 4.1

    (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
    Variety of pistes: 4.0

    (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Borovets has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

    		 Beginners: 4.1

    (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
    Intermediates: 4.1

    (1) No intermediate terrain at Borovets, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

    		 Advanced: 3.8

    (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
    Snow Park: 3.1

    (1) Not even a kicker at Borovets, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

    		 Off-piste: 3.1

    (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
    Cross-country: 3.3

    (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Borovets, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

    		 Luge/Toboggan: 2.1

    (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Borovets has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
    Mountain Dining: 3.6

    (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

    		 Eating: 4.2

    (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
    Apres-Ski: 4.1

    (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

    		 Other Sports: 3.7

    (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
    Entertainment: 3.3

    (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

    		 Winter Walks: 3.6

    (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
    Ski Pass Value: 3.7

    (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

    		 Value (National): 4.0

    (1) Overall, Borovets is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
    Value (Global): 4.2

    (1) Overall, Borovets is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

    Based on 50 votes. Vote

  • March 09, 2013
    stephen evans from United Kingdom

    Just got back from Borovets on March 3 2013. I first went to Borovets in 1982 when there was only 4 hotels and fell in love with the resort, it was good in them days, but now it's great. I go twice a year, 1 week in Feb and 1 week in March. I stay in hotel Breza, I eat out at Hunters bar; great food. You will meet Christo, I've known him for 15 years, his wife Serma plus Svilen and Megi, they are lovely people. A good night out. Also go to the White Magic bar, its run by Christo Anglov ex world cup skier and his family. There are lots of bars in the resort but I like them; two of the best. I'll be back next Feb for 2 weeks then in March for 1 week. Roll on 2014.

  • March 01, 2013
    PETE TAVENER from United Kingdom

    Just come back from a great week's skiing in Borovets. Wonderful restaurants, friendly people and fantastic value.

  • February 24, 2013
    Kenny from United Kingdom

    I am on my last day of our third ski trip to Borovets using the resort wide wifi to post this. I have thirty years of skiing experience in the Alps, Canada and Norway and we really like visiting Borovets due to the excellent value for money a trip here offers. We usually go for half-term with our two kids (6 & 9) and can eat out every night, get ski hire and lessons for the kids and get hot chocolate with brandy on the slopes for a fraction of the cost in any resort in the Alps. The snow at this time of year is invariably good. The locals are very friendly and there are lots of other activities in the resort if you want a day off skiing. The ski area is big enough to keep any beginners/ intermediates more than happy. There is a terrain park for boarders and for advanced skiers. Why not take a guided trip into the backcountry? I recommend Hunters for ski hire and lessons and there are lots of private rentals in the Flora complex, 75m from the nearest lift.

  • February 22, 2013
    R Taylor from United Kingdom

    Stayed at the Flora apartments for ten days from 23rd Jan to 1st Feb. Although the snow was thin on the ground on 23rd two days later we had a massive snowfall which gave the greatest conditions I have seen in 12 seasons of skiing in various resorts. We could ski to our door and people were even skiing down the side streets of the resort !.
    The instruction was superb, Bulgarian people are friendly and welcoming and we shall definitely be going back again next year. The runs are all very enjoyable and being able to ski back to the resort and to the flats was a bonus.

  • February 21, 2013
    Garry Causon from United Kingdom

    We went to Borovets between 9th-16th Feb 2013 and stayed in the Rila. We had a great time; plenty of snow and good skiing.
    The instructor was great and gave some good tips, the resort in general was well looked after with plenty of bars.
    The slopes was groomed each night and with the amount of snow we had no problems at all, hardly any queuing for lifts (except gondala at 9.30 -10.30 am) considering we were there during a half-term school break.
    There are plenty of negative comments given about the resort but we found it very good value for money and there was always something you could find to eat in the hotel or the bars which are very reasonable (try Francos pizza's).
    Well worth a visit especially for the money it costs for ski hire, lessons and lift passes.
    We will be returning here.

  • January 23, 2013
    Gareth Bevan from United Kingdom

    We stopped in Borovets 7th January 2012 in the Lion hotel. Great hotel (very warm), great rooms (we even had a balcony), nice staff. Food typical Bulgarian, warm (rather than hot), filling rather than spectacular. Shuttle bus takes 10 minutes to resort and runs every 20 minutes. Spent most nights in Bobbys bar, Kas and Bobby are great, food fantastic (and hot), very hospitable (we go back there on 2nd February and are stopping in their new place!
    Snow was fantastic, not a lot of queuing needed for the lifts.

  • January 11, 2013
    Steph from United Kingdom

    Been back a week and would go back tomorrow. Borovets is a great place to go. It's our second year at the resort, last year we stayed at the RIla, the room was great but I have to say the food was poor; we are not fussy with food but we struggled to find anything that was edible!. So this year we went with the intention of eating out most nights as there are lots of good cheap places to eat. This year we stayed at the Iglika Palace hotel which is just behind the Rila, the rooms were clean a warm and the food was very good. I would definitely recommend this hotel; the staff are friendly, the bar is 24hr & happy hour seems to last all day!

    The snow this year was not as good as last year. I was a bit worried to start with as some of the runs were not open, but our instructor was fantastic, he catered to all of us in our group with mixed abilities. He was fantastic fun & nothing was too much trouble, he just wanted us to have a fantastic holiday, making the most of the runs that were open.

    We spent a fantastic new year at Bobbies Bar, down by the medical centre, check them out they are a great bunch and the food is great.
    There are lots of good restaurants in resort & yes, there are some not so good but don't moan just don't go back!
    People complain about the guys outside the bars trying to get you in but they are mostly friendly & are only trying to make a living, offering free shots you could practically go from bar to bar without having to buy a drink!
    Give Borovets a go, our family & friends loved it. Can't wait to return next year or even this if I can get a good deal!

  • January 10, 2013
    Jordan from United Kingdom

    Going out to Borovets on the 19th with a group of mates. Went last year and had a great holiday. You can't really knock this ski holiday. I paid 400pp for everything and I know it will be a good holiday. Yes, the food is bad and some of the locals are rude but they don't make your holiday. Can't wait to get out there!!

  • December 31, 2012
    Steven from United Kingdom

    Back from Borovets yesterday with my wife and daughter. Snow was definately better at the beginning of the week; towards the end hardly any runs were open, those that were were icy and showing stones. Wife had private lessons (almost a beginner) at 71 lev for 2 hours and she felt the instructor was good, certainly helped her skiing. I can't really understand why some people give it such bad reviews- it's what you make it. I've never met anyone there (my 4th visit) who I've found especially objectionable, everybodys there to enjoy themselves. I've never stayed in Borovets so I can't comment on the hotels. But there's plenty of places to get decent food cheap. I think a lot of the comparisions here compare food from other resorts to Borovets food but omit to mention the price difference. I've always found the food acceptable for the cost. And even in top Bulgarian restaurants their food isn't served hot, usually just warm. It's a Bulgarian peculiarity, live with it - it won't kill you.

  • December 30, 2012
    dean morgan from United Kingdom

    I've been to Borovets 4 times and only had poor snow once. Went in Jan 2012 and it was -22 on the top but great, not busy no queues and the best snow. The chicken soup in the gon litf is the best. Stayed at Rila where the food was good. Going again on the 12 Jan 13. Great value for £580 with lift past in that as well.

  • December 28, 2012
    chris from Bulgaria

    Borovets: stayed in 5 star Festa; never 5 star by English standards, but decent enough (3-4 star). The food is utterly terrible, cold or luke warm at best, with a very limited selection. Didn't find the service terribly good, very quick to take your plates, very slow to offer you drinks etc. Not especially friendly staff either.
    As for the skiing? I went skiing in Les Menuires in France, many years ago, which was utterly fantastic, but Borovets is a complete disappointment I'm afraid. Went over Christmas 2012 and lots of the upper runs were closed due to thawing/high winds, which meant half hour queues on some piddly little green and blue runs, some just a couple of hundred metres long! Very rude Italian children and their gormless tarty mothers on iPhone kept pushing in! Never have booked lessons. My gf and I are of differing abilities, so went off in different groups. My instructor spoke great English, but only catered for an idiot Chinese couple who insisted that they could ski, but who couldn't stop, kept falling over and wasted 2-3 days off everyone else's holiday. Group spent 2 days skiing rubbish, untaxing green runs when weather was decent and runs were open, so that we missed out on some blues and reds which were later closed. When he did allow us to ski harder runs, we went down a very difficult red, which was too hard and shot confidence of most of the group. Instructor completely inflexible with abilities and itinerary; I was parallel skiing, but he was skiing alongside barking out instructions to snowplough! What an idiot! As for my gf, she had an instructor out of the state police, she kept barking out "snowplough, snowplough" all day, without any real tuition to speak of, so that my gf didn't bother after 3 days. Booked lessons also involve 2 hours, lunch and then 2 hours, but you are taken to lunch in wooden shacks up the mountain, where the food is rubbish and expensive. Should be allowed to have lessons and go to lunch where you like. Nightlife here is okay, feels like most of the bars are run by local mafia, but they're friendly enough. Not my scene though. All in all, a terrible skiing experience in a seedy resort, ideal for the 'ere we go' Brits, who like cheap beer and an even cheaper experience. Oh and our so called rep, was conspicuous by her absence. Never again.

  • December 03, 2012
    Rhonda Nathan from United Kingdom

    What can i say? Borovets is a great resort. I have been going now for the last 8 years and love it! Last year was the best snow in 5 of the years we have been going and I'm hoping for the same this year; been December, February and March and never been dissapointed yet. Never eat at Borovets, always have our evening meal in Samokov; it's as cheap as chips. Borovets prices are equivelant to English prices and not over the top. It is great for families wanting a ski holiday without the massive expense such like France, Italy, Andora, Norway as I have also been skiing in these resorts also. My parents have a house there and we get both great winter holidays and summer holidays out of the place. Please don't be put off by the bad reports on this web site, if you want an affordable enjoyable holiday this is the place, it won't break the bank. Three weeks to go 'till we return again and can't wait.

  • October 14, 2012
    daisy from United Kingdom

    We went on mass, there was 9 of us! The runs were excellent, covered in loads of snow and the skiing conditions were fantastic. Everyone there was really freindly and the ski schools were great for all abilities. There were many aprez-ski bars and also a tobbogan slope which we enjoyed using after the lifts had shut and we had finished skiing. I am sure Borovets is not the poshest skiing resort in the world, however, for a family holiday it was perfect. The hotel Lion which we stayed at had wonderful facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and gym; the perfect place to relax after a days skiing. All in all, I would recommed Borovets to anyone thinking to go there as whenever we have been we have always felt very welcome and had a lovely time!

  • March 07, 2012
    Gill from United Kingdom

    Had a fantastic week skiing in Borovets in the English half term holiday (11th to 19th Feb). Having been to many resorts in France & Austria I was a little apprehensive about Bulgaria after reading some reviews. However we were pleasantly surprised. We are a family of 5 with the children's ages of 8,10 & 13 with varying abilities. There was loads of snow & we were all able to ski together as there are harder & easier routes down the mountains from the tops of most lifts. We managed to go up the gondola twice & the route down is beautiful. It was closed a few times in the week due to bad weather but plenty other places to ski when it's closed.
    Stayed in the Hotel Samokov which was great. The food was good & lots to choose from at breakfast & evening meal. Maybe not so hot as we would eat it, something some seem to complain about but it wasn't a problem to us!!!! Lots of ther activities going on in the hotel, kids loved the sports bar with pool, table tennis & bowling & the swimming pool which was a little colder than we are used to in England but wasn't a problem to any of us.
    The people were mostly very friendly & very helpful.
    Nowhere was over crowded & no massive lift queues even though it was half term & we could actually afford to stop at a mountain cafe for a hot chocolate. France/Austrai had become too expensive to do such things.
    A few seedy bars around as we had been warned but easy to ignore if you wish & we stayed in the hotel at night anyway.
    Maybe not the place for those wanting challenging black & red runs but for us a great affordable family skiing holiday & would definitely go again.

  • March 06, 2012
    peps from Greece

    I spent two fantastic weeks in Borovets! I am a beginner and I enjoyed the lessons and the easy pistes. Perfect place to learn how to ski! Everything is very close..the lifts, the hotels, the gondola! Very convenient! From Mon-Fri no long queues in the lifts. The surrounding area is beautiful! Borovets is also good value for money! I will definitely come back next year!
    The only bad story I heard while I was there is that 3 friends had their skis locked on top of their car and were stolen in the afternoon.

  • March 05, 2012
    Hans from Netherlands

    End of the week we are going back to Borovets.
    We can recommend to go there because the people are friendly and the prices are reasonable.
    Don't stay in the large hotels, but look for a good time in the small bars and restaurants.
    A very good place to go is snackbar Joy in front of the gondola. They serve western and traditional food and make delicious pizzas.

  • March 05, 2012
    Derion from Greece

    My fourth and best visit in Borovets for 2012 was on 3 and 4 March 2012. This time I focused on Yastrebets ski center. Indeed this is the best in comparison to Sitnyakovo and Markudjik. It is the smallest one, as you can find there only 3 pistes, namely Yastrebets 1 and 3 and Popangelov (named after a famous Bulgarian skier). But what of pistes!!! All of them are really long for Balkan standards and are truly red and in some parts are even black. For skiers who are not used in such big pistes (like me) it is essential to take some rests. I could not downhill them in once! I skied some part and then took some rest. My legs got a really good exercise! The scenery is fantastic. All 3 pistes are in a pine tree forest. In 3 – 4 March the weather was fantastic: Sunny and plenty of snow of good quality. I was afraid that the snow would be slushy, but this was absolutely not the case. The snow was excellent cold and only in few places there were few icy patches. Stones could not be found anywhere. On Saturday, 3.3, it was windy. That’s why the gondola drove only up to the mid station. On Sunday, 4 March, it was not windy. The visibility in both days was great. There were quite big queues but quite normal and expected for such a great ski weekend! Besides, 3 March is a Bulgarian National Holiday. Some practicalities: how to reach Yastrebets? You need to take the gondola. If the gondola operates normally, head up to the top of the mountain. Then you take the blue Haramia, an easy piste with great view over Samokov. In some point, you can (optionally) leave Haramia and take the piste Fonfon. This piste is characterized as “black”. However, believe me, it is easier than Yastrebets 1&3 and Popangelov and much shorter, which means your legs do not get tired! So, Haramia and Fonfon connect the top of the mountain with Yastrebets pistes. From the mid – station gondola you go to Yastrebets 1. All 3 pistes of Yastrebets finish in Yastrebets express, which is a 4 – persons – chair lift. Be warned that Yastrebets express can get crowded. On Saturday, I paid 25BGN for the lifts’ ticket, because the top of the mountain was closed due to high winds and on Sunday I paid the normal ticket, 45 BGN. Overall, I had a great time visiting Borovets ski area in 2012 and I hope next year will be for Borovets as snowy as 2012. Given good ski conditions, Borovets ski area consisting of Sitnyakovo, Yastrebets and Markudjik is a pretty good, affordable and enjoyable choice for skiers.

  • March 01, 2012
    Dawn from United Kingdom

    Had an absolutely amazing time here in January, so much so we have booked to go back in mid March (cannot wait!) It is basic but the people are friendly the snow was fab and powdery and it's actually quite a pretty place. If you want 5* luxury then go somewhere else and pay over the odds for it. I don't mind, it means more space on the slopes for me :)

    All in all, Borovets is brilliant value for money with reasonably priced lift passes and food and drink. Would recommend it for anyone who wants a good value fun ski/snowboarding holiday without being surrounded by pretentious nonsense.

  • February 19, 2012
    Andrea from United Kingdom

    Just had a fantastic week in Borovets staying at the Samokov Hotel. The snow was really powdery and there was lots of it! As a beginner I have nothing to compare it to but the runs were challenging and when the gondola was working (closed from time to time due to weather conditions) we had more variety. The hotel was full of English families as it was the school half term- great if you want company. The food was good and mostly warm- I had heard some bad reviews about the food but we enjoyed what was on offer. The pool was lovely and not cold like the reviews had said and there was plenty of things for families to do (Pool,table tennis, bowling). Overall it was a great holiday and not too expensive. We'd definitely come again!

  • February 16, 2012
    lou from United Kingdom

    You get what you pay for and skiing in Borovets is a cheap and tacky experience. It's ok for learning but after that, forget it. The worst was the food! Horrible cardboard like and made in dirty little huts. The people were friendly though. The place is full of strip clubs and just horrible. The hotels are basic, if you're a student on a budget. But if you want a bit of comfort and luxury, go elsewhere. Borovets is full of pushy Italians and Greeks at the lifts, who have no concept of queuing or politeness. Never again!

  • February 15, 2012
    Derion from Greece

    During the weekend 4-5 February, I was again in Borovets.

    On Saturday, I skied in Sitnyakovo ski center. The best snow conditions could be found on the black Martinovo Baraki 4. This time, I skied also the reds Sitnyakovo 2&3. Although there was plenty of snow, I did not enjoy the 2 as above red pistes, because there were alot of bumps, especiallly in Sitnyakovo 2, where there were also places with ice and I fell 3-4 times. Sitnyakovo 3 is actually a narrow path and there were many little stones inside the piste. It was sunny with some cloudy spells.

    On Sunday, I tried Markujdik ski center. Yastrebets was covered by fog. However, in Markudjik it was sunny, because of the high elevation. Please keep in mind that Yasterbets and Markujdik are connected. You can take the gondola up to end and then ski down to Yastrebets pistes. On the other hand Sitnyakovo is not connected. That's why I said there are 2 ski areas with 3 ski centers (1 ski area with Yastrebets and Markudjik and 1 ski area with Sitnyakovo). Up on Markujdik there was much more snow than in Sitnyakovo and especially lots of powder! My skis sank inside the snow. I could not see them, as I was skiing! Only the chair was working. However, with the chair, you can have access to the most pistes of Markujdik. Actually the only piste you cannot access is the red Markudjik 3, which is served by its own drag lift and was closed. The blue Markudjik can be reached with chair (although it is served also by its own drag lift, which was closed) and I practised there 3-4 time. Lot of snow and powder! The green Suhar is actually a green - easy path which connects the top of the mountain - the chair with the gondola. The black Markudjik was closed. The red Markudjik left to the chair (which was open) had many bumps and was very busy. I tried it once and I fell 3-4 times. So, I prefered the blue one which did not have any bumps and was less busy.

    Overall, Markudjik is a nice ski center in high eleveation with alpine character without any trees, which unfortunately usually stays closed (perhaps winds because of elevation?). The disadvantage is that pistes were not groomed or were not well groomed (in contrast with Sitnyakovo). A big problem is also the way to access the pistes and to come back. After you ski down the gondola, there is one drag lift which takes you up to the Markudjik pistes. However, this lift does not take you at the end and you have to carry the ski for a small distance until you ski again and you reach the chair or the other drag lift. On the way back (when you want to take the gondola) there is a big uphill after the end of the path which goes parallel to the drag lift. So, you have to ski down to the middle station of the gondola or you have to carry your skis, if you want to take the gondola from the up station. Beware there are no ski schools or ski equipment rental up in Markudjik (or at least I did not notice any).

  • February 08, 2012
    Kostas from Greece

    The company who manages all the Borovets ski centre must understand that the pistes need grooming every day and specially after a snowfall. It seems that they fix the pistes only on certain days no matter if it is really needed or not.

    At the top of the mountain there are all these cheap ugly huts to buy expensive food and usually are empty. What is needed is only one nice modern construction with glass view all over the surrounding area and a restaurant with a bar. This is how people will be attracted to stay at the upper slopes. The rest must be demolished asap.

  • February 05, 2012
    Des from United Kingdom

    Just returned from Borovets. Had 5 excellent days skiing and apres ski. All runs open and well groomed. Been going for 6 years now and its the best yet. No long queues, not so many touts, good prices and good exchange rate. Boro sport have made improvements each year, not excessive but some. I have an apartment there so I know a lot of what goes on. Anyway all ski resorts are good when the snow is there!

  • February 02, 2012
    tomba from Greece

    I was in Borovets 6/1/12,7/1/12 & 8/1/12. There were a lot of problems with electricity blackout and I agree in all with the post of Svetoslav Trifonov from Bulgaria of 9/1/12, it was perfect snow conditions (about 2 meters fresh-snow powder!!) but because of electricity blackout about 12.00 lifts stop working for about 3 hours....till 15.00 then they worked the lifts for 30 min and finally stop working again! Borosport staff told us that the next day we'll have free ski pass but Sunday 8/1/12 in the gondola ski pass office they meant free ski pass just for half a day. Electricity problems go on and Sunday 8/1/12 (we stay up the gondola for 30'min at least!) and when we asked our money back from ski pass they said that they had no money because it was Sunday and the banks are closed! All the people from many countries (Bulgaria,Greece,England,Russia,Ukraine etc..) were angry! This is bad advertisment for the borosport-company and many people (like me) will not come again in Borovets.....(even if my opinion, the quality of snow in Borovets and the borovets-ski runs is the best in Balkan area). Besides on Sat7/1/12 because of the amount of snow at the hotel I stayed we had no water during all day! It was my first time in Borovets and the last one! I have gone at Bansko 4 times and I had never such a problems! Bansko again, Bankso!

  • February 01, 2012
    Brian from United Kingdom

    Got back on 21st Jan great conditions and no queing, only on the small button lift outside the Rila hotel in the afternoon :-) Enjoy.

  • January 29, 2012
    mike from United Kingdom

    The lift pass is very expensive for what it is, the food on the slopes is rubbish and expensive, the resort is tacky, when the snow is good and covering the rubbish it is fine. The place is filled with British alcoholics anonymous and bargain hunters trying to pretend they are something else. In short, if you are a beginner Borovets is fine and then go to better pastures!

  • January 25, 2012
    Kenny from Bulgaria

    The snow is just perfect, best conditions in years!

  • January 25, 2012
    Georgia from Greece

    Εδώ και χρόνια κάνουμε σκι στο Borovets και συγκεκριμένα στις πίστες Yastrebets-Popangelov, οι λόγοι είναι απλοί..... Γρήγορο lift (7-8 min) το μήκος που έχουν οι δύο πίστες(3-3.5 χλμ)!!!!! Επίσης το ότι λόγο βαθμού δυσκολίας (κατακόκκινες με κομμάτια μαύρου) δεν έχει κοσμοσυρροή. Όμως από αρχές του έτους το lift έφτασε να κάνει περί τα 20 λεπτά..... Η κάρτα του κοστίζει από 35 leva κοστίζει 55 leva......Τώρα μαθαίνω πως υπάρχουν και διακοπές ρεύματος και ότι έχουν "μείνει" πάνω στο lift κόσμος έως και 2 ώρες....... Δεν ξέρω εάν θα ξαναπάμε......Κρίμα πάντως γιατί είχαμε τις καλύτερες εντυπώσεις.....

  • January 24, 2012
    Des from United Kingdom

    I have skied Borovets, Bansko, France, Scotland & I will ski Austria this winter. I learnt to ski in Borovets in 2006 and go at least once every year.. I agree it can be difficult at times of little snow especially when they had no cannons. However, all you mowners who keep on complaining should take time out to consider that this is Bulgaria not France or Austria or Italy or the Swiss Alps. Also, consider that it's a climate thing, you know snow is not guaranteed anywhere! I've skied Tignes twice, once was good the other crap and twice the price. To be honest, I love the rawness of Borovets. The changes each year are for the better, I love skiing through the forest and off-piste at the top through the shrubs. No more drag lifts except for the beginners, good night skiing, good food and booze, lots of varied entertainment and happy hours. Scotland: I've skied 3 resorts, if you can call them that lol! Was like going back in time, T-bars, single man lifts, rocks!!! and much more expensive. It's the old saying that runs true 'when the snow is there all is good' For me Borovets has got what I need! I'm not put off by your one off experiences.