The Official 2012 Snow Calendar

Visitor reviews for Borovets Ski Resort

---

---

• 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.

• Borovets Ratings

  Based on 22 votes. Vote

  Access: 3.8 (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: 3.0 (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: 4.2 (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: 4.0 (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: 3.4 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 3.8 (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: 4.0 (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: 3.2 (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: 3.3 (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: 3.2 (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: 3.7 (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: 3.5 (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: 2.6 (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: 3.8 (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: 3.1 (1) The staff at Borovets are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Borovets are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 3.2 (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: 4.0 (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: 4.0 (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: 3.7 (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: 4.0 (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: 4.0 (1) No intermediate terrain at Borovets, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 3.7 (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: 2.9 (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: 2.8 (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: 3.1 (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: 1.8 (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: 3.3 (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: 4.0 (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: 3.5 (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: 3.0 (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: 3.4 (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: 3.4 (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): 3.8 (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): 3.9 (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 22 votes. Vote

• 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.

• January 23, 2012
  Derion from Greece
  

  I was in Borovets during the weekend 21 – 22 January 2012. The snow coverage was excellent (about 2 meters snow of very good quality) and the runs were generally well groomed.

  About ski centers: actually there are 2 ski regions with 3 ski centers. The one ski region has 2 ski centers, namely Yastrebetz and Markudjik. Unfortunately, I was not able to ski there, because it was closed due to bad weather conditions (they said high winds). The other ski region is Sitnyakovo ski center, where I have skied and which I liked a lot. Basically, in Sitnyakovo there are 2 chair lifts (Sitnyakovo Express and Martinovo Baraki) and some other surface lifts for beginners. However, with the 2 as above chair lifts you can access all runs of Sitnyakovo ski center. In my opinion, Sitnyakovo ski center is for intermediate skiers. I have skied the red Martinovo Baraki 2 and Martinovo baraki 3 and the black Martinovo Baraki 4 and Cherveno Zname. All the 4 as above pistes are challenging for intermediate skiers. The scenery is very beautiful, because the as above runs are surrounded by a pine trees forest. In the 2 red Martinovo Baraki runs (2&3) night skiing is available from 6 to 9:30 pm. I have really enjoyed skiing there! Next time, I want to try the 2 red Sitnyakovo runs and also visit the Yastrebets ski region (Yastrebets + Markudjik), which was closed.

  About Borovets: unfortunately, Borovets is not as good as its ski center. In my opinion, there is nothing traditional there. The place is full of English tourists and hotels and restaurants, which aim to English tourists. 4 stars hotels are in best case 3 stars (if not 2 stars). Hotels staff is slow and not attentive to the clients’ needs. But, on the other hand, how demanding can you be from employees who get 300 euro per month (if they get so..)? Food is below average. I did not find any place where to eat good traditional Bulgarian kitchen, because obviously the whole place has been developed in order to serve mass tourism. However, all the above are not reasons for me to avoid Borovets. When you go to Borovets, you go for skiing, not for sightseeing. And as far as it concerns skiing, I liked Borovets and I want to go back again soon there!

  How to get to Borovets: avoid the expensive hotel – transfers. From Sofia you take the metro (ticket one way 1 BGN) and you get off at Jolio Kurie metro station. There below the bridge, you can find “Avtogara Yioug”, the “South Bus Station of Sofia”. You look for the bus or mini bus which goes to Samokov. Sofia – Samokov 70 min and 6 BGN. From Samokov there is another mini bus which takes you up to Borovets (20 minutes – 2 BGN). Last service Samokov – Borovets around 7pm.

• January 21, 2012
  Kostas from Greece
  

  There is plenty of snow now and there should be no other power cuts. Let's hope that the weekend of the 7th and 8th will be a good lesson for all the interested parties who run the resort.

• January 21, 2012
  Vladimir from Bulgaria
  

  Borovets is situated in one of the most beautiful Balkan mountains: Rila. If you are a tourist you have to visit it! But if you are searching for nice winter ski resort, just forget about Borovets!
  This is the worst place for winter sports in the whole peninsula.
  The lifts are too old. The slopes are often in poor condition.
  They open all of the slopes very rarely and this causes very long queues on the rest of the lifts. The prices are also too too high for what the resort offers.
  If you are a beginner it will be perfect for you, otherwise forget it! :)

• January 16, 2012
  Pepi from Bulgaria
  

  Hi,
  I'm Pepi from Bulgaria and I will be short with my review.
  The slopes in Borovets are often too crowded and not always in good condition. The lifts stop working very often, because of electricity problems or some technical issues. The prices are very, very high and there is no way to compare Borovets with the rest of the Bulgarian resorts.
  My opinion and the one of my friends is simple:
  Borovets sucks hard!

• January 10, 2012
  Vladimir Stoyanov from Bulgaria
  

  Last week I tried to go to Borovets 2 times (on the 2nd and on the 7th of January). I traveled from 70km away and ended up unable to get to the resort itself because of poor traffic conditions. The first time the police had created a stupid situation allowing 30 cars at a time to enter the resort for no obvious reason (I stayed for 30min in a traffic jam on a mountain road and just decided to go back). The second time the roads were not cleaned at all and nobody was doing anything to solve any problems. Combined with what I heard about the mess with ski passes sold with the knowledge that there will be a blackout and the recent increase in ski pass prices I don't think I will be going there no more, even though Borovets is my closest resort. It is much more worth it to go for a week in Austria.

• January 09, 2012
  Svetoslav Trifonov from Bulgaria
  

  There is plenty of snow in Borovets now. The problem is that we are making everything wrong here in Bulgaria. Like the firm that is holding the resort - Borosport. They took care to fail the nice weekend on 07.01.2012 and 08.01.2012. What I mean:
  on 07.01.2012
  1. The road wasn't cleaned. Although it was clearly known that there will be a huge snow dump on the end of the week - the road between Samokov and Borovets was impossible for vehicles without chains, and even those with chains can't avoid the traffic jams on the road.
  2. There wasn't even very cleaned sidewalks in the resort, all the tourists had to walk on the road among the cars.
  3. There was electricity blackout around 12:00 p.m. Hundreds of tourists had to wait. Some of them had to wait on the lifts. After a series of loud scandals on the pay desks around 13:30 pm Borosport took decision to refund the money only for those who had bought half-day ski passes. Those who had full day passes had to make another scandal and later when most of them left the resort Borosport publish on their site that there will be half refund for those with full day passes or they can re-used their ski passes after validation on the next day as half days pass. I heard some had took back their money, but few.
  on 08.01.2012
  1.The road was almost cleaned. The sidewalks weren't.
  2. There was a message from the electricity company sent around 9:15, that there will be blackout later for at least 3 hours. Even though Borosport continued to sell ski passes and took no steps to prevent people being stuck on the lifts. When the blackout came around 10:30 pm, there was plenty of people on lifts. Some of them were hanging for more than 2 hours. There is a story in Facebook that a skier had to jump from the lift Yastrebets Express because no one of the ski staff payed attention to his screams. Good luck there is more than 1m snow and the skier is all right.
  3. Again no refunds! There were hundreds of angry people on the gondola station, waiting for electricity or refunds. All the guard staff were in readiness to prevent any troubles. You had to see their mocking and arrogance, provoking anyone to do something so they will have a reason to take a nice fight. You had to see the arrogance, the pay-desk girls was treating the tourists with.

  Borovets is 80 km from my home. It is 1 hour driving, but after this weekend I will never go again there. My advice to you is not to go there too. See Bansko, Pamporovo or Chepelare they are nice ski resorts too, where i hope you will get good tendance. I wish nice season to all who love the winter sports.

  Svetoslav Trifonov

  P.S. If you doubt in anything of the above - see the comments, posted in Facebook groups like My Borovets and Боровец

• January 08, 2012
  Agnieszka Kasprzycka from Poland
  

  Was in Borovets last year in January and didn't know what to expect after reading all quite bad opinions about the food.
  Stayed in Iglika hotel 3 stars and we have had everything we needed: warm rooms and always warm water. Some people upgraded to 4 stars so they had a bath instead of a shower. The only thing which wasn't there was a hairdryer and a kettle but I had my own.
  Food was lovely if you like Bulgarian cuisine.
  Wide variety of food including bacon for breakfast - sure that's because of a majority of English guests. My English boyfriend was happy with food as well.
  Lovely weather, lots of entertainment, good ski instructors and over all very good value for money, very good resort for beginners.
  Coming back this year.

• June 14, 2011
  alex from Greece
  

  The yastrebets red slopes are the best of the resort (3 Km), and one of the best I've ever been to. The rest of the resort is worse than Bansko.

• March 21, 2011
  ian griff from Bulgaria
  

  We have just returned from Borovets, snow was great and the slopes are well groomed with all lifts running. A lot of the reports I read before we went were fairly negative. If you want good snowboarding (except the long flat tracks) and cheap nightlife it's good. We stayed in Ice Angels Hotel which was excellent although, as most people have commented, the food is only ok considering it's supposed to be a 5 star.
  It's position is perfect at the bottom of the Rila runs within 20m of the lifts..
  So I would get accommodation only and eat out as good quality food is cheap and plentiful outside the hotels.

  Overall, for the cost of the holiday, passes and food etc it's a good alternative to the usual European resorts.

• March 21, 2011
  Dam from France
  

  I was in Borovets last weekend. According to this website there was more than 1 meter of snow at the top but not at all, 10 cm maximum.
  Maybe that's the cumulative measure since the beginning of the season?
  All slopes were closed except 3, the one with artificial snow. Only few lifts were working.
  So don't believe this website's report for snow level.
  Apart from this, the resort is nice with many friendly restaurants and bars.

  [Editor's note: this snow report was provided by the Ski Club of GB. Eyeball reporters can provide observations as they see them. We encourage users to enroll.]
  

• March 13, 2011
  Phil Turton from United Kingdom
  

  We have been skiing with the family and also the chaps to Chamonix, Avoriaz, Switzerland etc but must say Borovets was great.

  The snow was ok but the slopes were well looked after and they had not had any new snow for 2 weeks before we arrived. The place is very friendly and very reasonable on cost as last year £7 a pint in Chamonix to £1.70 a pint in Borovets is relaxing.

  I would not hesitate to go again and I am looking forward to going again next year. Quite simply, better value for money and the slopes were as good.

  I did not really think the Alps were any better and certainly not more than double the cost for good skiing and friendly people.

  Recommended.

• March 08, 2011
  Rob Downham from United Kingdom
  

  I've been to Borovets twice, once with my wife and once with my brother. Both times I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have skied Three Valleys and Chamonix and, taking into account price, prefer Borovets. People who say that the Bulgarians are miserable need to look in the mirror! Smile and the world smiles at you! Everyone I met, be the older UK, younger UK, Bulgarians were happy. Had no trouble with anyone. There are quite a few lap bars but if you don't go in then they are not "in your face". Stayed in an apartment at hotel Flora, free wifi (writing this review in my apartment) and good gym/pool/sauna (costs extra if in the apartments). If planning to self cater than it is true that there is limited food available to cook yourself. There was only so many noodles I can eat! Mamacitas Mexican restaurant is excellent. I went out every evening until about 3am (got to party ocassionally) and had fun, friendly nights each time, bit of a lazy morning and then onto the slopes at 12 exactly just buying a half day lift pass. This gives you 4 1/2 hours skiing which, in my opinion, is plenty! Final bonus is that it only takes about 1 hour and 75 euro return for private transfer from airport to apartment. All in all, I highly recommend Borovets, I suppose I have been lucky with the snow each time and not had any bad incidents but then you make your own luck!

• March 08, 2011
  Clair from United Kingdom
  

  I returned from my first ever skiing holiday in Borovets in February - I was very apprehensive before going, as I was the only non-skier of my mixed age group. I spent a week with Albena ski school (see Jean's review further down) in a small group of absolute beginners and can honestly say I had the time of my life. I found that Bulgarians seem to have a very dry sense of humour (a bit like the Brits) and can sometimes be construed as being grumpy - but they aren't! I was often out with my 3 year old and had locals help me with crossing the roads with her and sometimes even carrying her up hills for me, which I really appreciated when I was in my ski boots, carrying poles and skis! My week with my ski instructor was a dream and really helped me with my confidence and ability. I'm sure that Borovets isn't for everybody, but I wanted to say that I had such a brilliant time there, I'm already planning next year and cannot wait to get back to Bulgaria. It's a very relaxed place, so just go with it!

• March 07, 2011
  Emma from United Kingdom
  

  Bulgaria Borovets 26/02/2011 to 05/03/2011
  Stayed in Villa Apartments - great hotel, great prices for drinks. Food was a little strange but overall, great
  Just came back from Borovets. I'm 26 and went with my boyfriend 28, brother 31, his girlfriend 25, my mom and dad 50's and two cousins 32 and 40..
  We had a great time with plenty to do, snow was a little shy but it was forecast for this week.. as for the money you couldn't spend it, it was great. A meal for two and drinks cost around 25 pound for two.. people were very friendly and helpful.
  As for the strip bars there were not that many and hardly any posters of naked girls, in fact, if you didn't point them out children and adults couldn't even notice - BJ's is by far the best bar and food and I highly recommend anyone to go to Bulgaria skiing for the money it was great. If you want 5 * star luxury go to Canada if you want great fun and cheap holiday go to Borovets.
  Great over all
  :-)

• March 05, 2011
  Yann from Netherlands
  

  Cmon people
  most of the feedbacks are from so called skiers with their own appartment in the place which says it all. They will never ever place a factual feedback but always with this investment interest up their brains when writing.
  The fact of the matter is that there is extremely limited skiing, huge queues, tacky stalls, pushy locals, lift passes are ridiculously expensive for what it is, ski hire gear is ancient, tacky shops and seedy places up in your face (don't go with young family unless you don't go out of your hotel).
  The top of the mountain most of the season is closed; nothing exited there. The bottom: carnage from ice and a hell of a lot of people. The middle: just one reasonable chair midway and that's it.
  One big plus:
  If you are onto heavy drinking and planning on doing it non-stop go no further.
  Problem is that Bulgaria has started attracting the low end clients with alcohol in mind so prepare yourself for what you have paid (low language drunken brawls unpleasant situations). And remember lift pass is dirt expensive, you will do very limited skiing and probably you will remember nothing under the influence of alcohol.
  

• March 05, 2011
  Den from United Kingdom
  

  Just arrived back in UK from 5 night stay in Borovets. Having read mixed reviews before going, I wanted to say that Borovets is a great little place. You get what you pay for! The resort is not 5*. It is, however, a friendly, affordable and entertaining place. Ski school is good but a bit chaotic. I would recommend 1 to 1 lessons. They are really quite cheap and you can "agree" the price. Be careful though, as not all the instructors are licensed, so if it's one of the smaller ski schools you go to, check with the instructor. The slopes were all open, although some a little skinny on snow.
  Overall, we (all 26 of us) had a great time. Friendly people who love you to return. I recommend "The Blue" restaurant for great steaks and salads.

• February 26, 2011
  Howard green from Bulgaria
  

  We've just come back from Borovets.
  It's a lovely resort, it's cheap overall, be prepared to pay for some little extras, the skidoos are great fun, the instructors are really friendly, especially Aleena and little George!
  My 13 yr old had the time of his life boarding, the snow arrived the day before we got there: Friday 18th and it's snowed ever since! Check the webcam.
  The locals are very friendly, disregard comments here regarding the sex clubs being in your face, they're not. Unless you look, I doubt you'd notice them.
  We stayed in Iglika Palace hotel. The food was ok, the staff were very friendly,and it's very warm!! Sometimes a bit too warm..
  Almost all the locals speak English and most bars have UK tv on, including the football.
  Black Tiger and Derby are bars worth a visit. If you visit Derby, which is next to Francs, have the lamb shanks!

  Enjoy... We did!
  Howard. London

• February 21, 2011
  Chris from United Kingdom
  

  One more thing to add to my first review below is this..........

  Now my review may sound rather biased with myself siding heavily with Borovets and all the positives, I guess the reason being, I had a really great time! And you will too if you don't try and look for the faults, which to be fair, everywhere has faults but at least the ones in Borovets will be half the price!

• February 18, 2011
  Chris from United Kingdom
  

  Ok, so after reading plenty of reviews before my girlfriend and I went and having spent what I can only call "peanuts" on the initial trip itself, just like everyone else said we were going with an open mind with no high expectations. Having said this, were were both rather surprised especially given the fact the both of us had skied most of our lives in many top European and even Canadian resorts!

  We went to Borovets on February 5th 2011 for a week and stayed in the Hotel Bor just outside the town centre but a nice 10 minute walk to all of the bars, shops, slopes etc. The Hotel was nice, being cheap and cheerful, and all the staff were lovely. The breakfast and dinner that is included, if half-board, was ok but obviously you get what you pay for. Not to worry as eating out is relatively cheap! You do get a hot breakfast which is good but for both courses selection is limited. The bar, in the hotel, is cheap with a 500ml beer being 2.50 Lev (£1.20) which is almost a third of the price than it is in the UK.

  Renting equipment is cheap but shop around the smaller outlets and barter with them as they will give you a better price, don't just dive at the first offer you get as they love to heckle! However, when booking your ski pass you might be better ordering that before you go. I only say this as we payed around £125 for a 6 day lift pass and I think it may be slightly cheaper to purchase through your tour operator before you go.

  The night life is great and even better for the drink prices! When you walk through the town you do come across people trying to get you into the bars and restaurants but it's all good fun and they are generally friendly and enjoy a laugh. Try all the different bars and places to eat as they will offer you free shots and all sorts of stuff, if not then you could be cheeky and ask. 'Happy hour' starts from 4pm onwards. Go to Katys Pub, very cosy little place and does cracking steak! £1 for a large beer and all sorts of cheap cocktails during 'happy hour' and a live performer! Plus the staff appreciate your business and it goes without saying; they all love it when you attempt the language and also when you leave a well deserved tip! It is a much more friendly experience in Borovets with the locals really wanting you to have a good time providing good entertainment and warm welcomes!

  When we were there the last snowfall was 2 weeks prior, meaning the snow conditions weren't brilliant and most of the runs were closed towards the end of the week. Having said this, the weather all week was clear blue skies and hot sun; partly the reason for the deteriorating snow! We weren't to phased by this as with the weather being absolutely fantastic we spent a lot of the time in the sun taking advantage of the cheap drink prices and just taking it easy. The runs were fairly busy and it is very much a resort for beginners, not just due to the variety of runs but also the majority of people who go there are first time skiers! We knew before we went that it wasn't the place for hard core skiing but more of a relaxing ski holiday which was just what we needed. The best thing about staying at the Hotel Bor is that it is the perfect excuse for you to stop off at every bar on the way back from the ski hill, a great way to get to know the locals who will remember your face every time!

  All in all, it's a great, cheap, relaxing ski holiday destination and you will love it if you aren't expecting the Ritz which of course you wouldn't be! We will definitely be going back but a word to the wise; try and book it closer to the time as we saved a fortune booking it a few weeks before but that is the risk you take with regard to availability!

  Nazdrave! (cheers in Bulgarian)

• February 17, 2011
  Lester Jarvis from United Kingdom
  

  Went to Borovets on the 5th Feb with a mixed group of skiers and a couple of non skiers. Stayed in the Lion Hotel. We all had a great time. It annoys me when you read some of the negative reports about the place. Some people obviously go out there with the wrong attitude and a preconception of the country. If you want 5 star luxury then go to the Alps or Canada and pay for it. If you want a good time at a great price then go to Borovets and chill out.

• February 16, 2011
  Cat from United Kingdom
  

  I will be heading back to Borovets for my 5th year in a row...at the end of Feb. I have loved Borovets every time I have been but, like anywhere, the longer you are there, the more you find out! Yes, the snow has been a bit hit and miss for a while but there are things to do and lots of families go to the resort. It my have sex bars around, but what town or city doesn't! If it's not you, don't go! It is also amazing and beautiful in summer.

  Don't let people put you off just because they have had a bad time, decide for yourself. If you read reviews for all the places you wanted to go, you wouldn't go!

• February 15, 2011
  epps family from United Kingdom
  

  Just got back from Borovets, staying at the Samokov hotel. It was brilliant; loads to do in hotel when not skiing. Snow fall was disappointing but apparently they seem to get more during March. Will definitely go back next year, prices are amazing, great food and the people are very friendly. All in all, a big thumbs up.