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Visitor reviews for Pamporovo Ski Resort

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• January 23, 2012
  Stephen Uggles from United Kingdom
  

  Just returned from a weeks skiing. Conditions just fantastic, snow everywhere, with even more forecast to fall. All pistes open, and Stoykite is just out of this world. Stayed at the Snezhanka this time round, friendly staff and tasty food, and lots of beer round the fire in the evening. Really didn't want it to end. Roll on next year!!

• Pamporovo Ratings

  Based on 10 votes. Vote

  Access: 3.6 (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 Pamporovo.	Public Transport: 3.5 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Pamporovo, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 3.9 (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: 4.7 (1) No places to stay in/near Pamporovo, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 4.0 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 4.1 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Pamporovo.
  Ski in/Ski out: 3.8 (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: 3.6 (1) There are no child care facilities at Pamporovo, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 3.8 (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) Pamporovo is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 3.6 (1) Pamporovo 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 Pamporovo, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Pamporovo are groomed daily.	Shelter: 4.6 (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) Pamporovo is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 2.9 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Pamporovo, 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) Pamporovo 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: 4.4 (1) The staff at Pamporovo are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Pamporovo are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 3.9 (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: 4.3 (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: 3.3 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Pamporovo has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 5.0 (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 Pamporovo, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 3.0 (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: 2.4 (1) Not even a kicker at Pamporovo, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 2.5 (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: 3.5 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Pamporovo, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 2.3 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Pamporovo has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 4.1 (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: 4.6 (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: 3.8 (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: 3.2 (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: 3.3 (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: 3.3 (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, Pamporovo 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): 4.4 (1) Overall, Pamporovo 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 10 votes. Vote

• January 09, 2012
  Will P from United Kingdom
  

  The conditions out there right now are probably the best they have been for 10 years - get out there!
  The resort isn't massive, but it kept me entertained for 5 days of skiing. I would say it is a perfect resort for families and especially beginners. It is probably the most beautiful resort I have been to (Alpine) - especially after it has snowed. Apres-ski is a little lacking compared to other resorts I have been to (but the nightlife is great,..from about 11:30 onwards!)

• December 30, 2011
  Derek Wilkinson from United Kingdom
  

  Just returned from our Xmas holiday skiing in Pamporovo. Lots of snow on the 23rd Dec lasted until we left on the 27th. Excellent skiing in all sorts of conditions from fresh powder to good pisted slopes. Not all the pistes were opened after the snow dump as the resort seemed to want to preserve some of them for the post Xmas influx of visitors. The resort was still getting itself into gear for the main season but there was enough open to enjoy the uncrowded runs almost to ourselves. Slopes good enough variety to occupy our intermediate group and we will probably have at least one more trip here. The resort needs another good fall of snow now to complete all the runs properly, it was a bit patchy on a few of the runs as the snow cannons leave them pretty icy which can be daunting for some. Stayed at an apartment in Snezjanka, good hotel with great staff. Overall, good value ski holiday.

• February 21, 2011
  Karl Singleton from United Kingdom
  

  Well, we said we would return soon (after our Xmas trip) and we arrived home from our 7 night stay on Saturday night. We stayed at the Hotel Orlovetz again and had a superb time. Snow conditions were 1000% better than we had over the Xmas period and as we had the same ski instructor our skiing, came on leaps and bounds.
  The resort was much busier than on our first visit and I feel helmets should be compulsory when skiing in this resort, we have to say that this resort will be our first choice next season and if you drop in when the snow conditions are good, Pamporovo takes some beating on value for money..
  Big hello to all those we met and skied with throughout the week and those we partied with at the presentation night.. we both agree with Graham.. we too would go back tomorrow..
  Karl and Janet.

• February 20, 2011
  Graham Smith from United Kingdom
  

  We stayed at the Orlovets hotel at Pamporovo - superb

  Skiing was great, suited better to beginners and intermediates and as we went with our two children aged 4 and 8 this was ideal. After 6 hours tuition our 4 yr old could ski from the top of the mountain down a 5k green run 100% independently!

  Food and drinks were cheap, tasty and always served with a smile...

  Would we go back? - yes, tomorrow!

• February 03, 2011
  Alex Trusan from Romania
  

  Just returned from Pamporovo.
  Pro: excellent hotel: Perelik Palace & Spa with perfect accommodation, restaurant and else. Very good ski resort for beginner-medium level skiers. Friendly people, perfect slopes, excellent cable transportation (especially the new 6 one from Stoichite). Very important : all for the fair price.
  Cons: hard to find the hotel after sunset.
  Will go again for sure!

• January 27, 2011
  Gill from United Kingdom
  

  Great Hotel Merryan at Pamporovo. All the staff were good. The ski instructors have a great sense of humour and our instructor (The General) was the tops. Skiing was good in the early part of the week but got worse towards the end. Would I go again? Yes.

• December 30, 2010
  Karl Singleton from United Kingdom
  

  My wife and I spent a week in Pamporovo from 19/12/2010-26/12/2010.
  We had a great time, the snow conditions were good at the start of the week but got worse as the week progressed, we are both intermediate skiers and found the ski school to be excellent.
  We stayed at the Olovetz hotel which was superb, we will be staying here again on our next visit.
  There's isn't much to do if the snow conditions are poor so our recommendation would be to choose your weeks carefully, good nightlife in the resort with plenty of bars/ clubs..... So..
  If your looking for a great ski resort that is value for money then you won't go wrong if you choose Pamporovo.

• December 27, 2010
  George from Bulgaria
  

  I went for the first time in Pamporovo in 1988. That is the best place for easy and intermediate skiers. There is more than 260 sunny days through the year. Nowadays I go 3-4times through the month for ski in Pamporovo when the weather and snow conditions are good. Have a nice new season in Pamporovo. It is snowing at the moment there. See ya.

• July 14, 2010
  Andy from United Kingdom
  

  There was a group of 5 here (Pamporovo) for Christmas. The first time on snow for 4 of them. We went to the smaller ski school for private lessons and it worked a treat, the snow at the time was not great but ample for beginners. Found the bar staff at the ski centre great giving you free shots at lunch time. Felt like Eddie the Eagle going back on the snow with a glow. The nite life here is a lot better than that offered at some other ski resorts in Europe with live music and drinks a lot cheaper too than other resorts. If you are a beginner or intermediate then this is fine for you, but there is a new gondola on hold at the moment to extent the ski area to a small resort 8km away. Bring it on. Will be back.

• March 15, 2010
  anne from United Kingdom
  

  Just back from Pamporova-had a great holiday. Very picturesque resort with excellent snow (w/c 28.2.10). My son's first time skiing and he loved it. Stayed at Pamporova Hotel-very clean, extremely warm and lovely deep bath! Food was repetitive throughout the week but enough choice to ensure you wouldn't go hungry. Ate out a couple of nights-prices reasonable. Would recommend this holiday, it's fantastic value for money and ideal if you want to try skiing or boarding for the first time.

• February 01, 2010
  roger from United Kingdom
  

  3rd time in Pamporovo 17.1.2010/24.2010. Conditions were fantastic, all runs open, did not stop snowing for 5 days. Even though it was snowing about 15, yes, 15 snowcannons were running continuously while my family were there. Prices in resort not much different than last year.The main difference was the condition of the slopes which were much better and maintained. This year, apart from the unseasonal warm start to Jan which lasted to the 15th, it was fab and next year will go agian.
  P.S. the Bell Sellers haven't changed - still anoying but that's the way they earn a living. Best hotels to stay in are in Pamporovo itself. There are 5 main ones. If you pick the others, taxi fares are dear to get to town so be warned.

• December 27, 2009
  trivett from United Kingdom
  

  We have just returned from a week in Pamporovo, 19/12/90 to 26/12/09. We stayed in hotel Merryan (Merian in brochure. This was a small and very friendly, clean hotel with excellent rooms and facilitices. Prices in the hotel were very cheap, food good and service, excellent. Would definitley recommend this hotel. Location is central to everything. We are first time skiers and found the ski school at Pamporovo excellent. At the start of the week of our holiday there was plenty of snow, towards the end it was getting very icey and no new snow fall. All in all, a fantasic holiday, we will be returning next year.

• December 19, 2009
  crytal from Ireland
  

  Went to Pamporovo in Jan 08 a party of 10. We had an absolute ball. Would recommend it to everyone. Liked it so much that we are goin' back in 4 weeks time. Can't wait woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• December 16, 2009
  andy newman from United Kingdom
  

  Just got back from Pamporovo. It's brilliant: plenty of snow, great restaraunts (2 meals with a pint each inc starters £25). I own an apartment in the grand monastery - what a place, look it up. Indoor pool, bowlplex, restaurant, shop, saunas etc. All apartments have log fires and fully fitted kitchens. Anyone interested in rental e mail me lynnlmnewman@aol.com I will send you an e brochure.

• June 11, 2009
  Philip W from United Kingdom
  

  I went to Pamporovo twice this season (I love it there), but the snow at the beginning of the season was the worst in a decade. It then picked up and the snow was great from end of Jan-early March. It was never (and probably has very rarely ever been) 250cm deep. At the bottom of the slope in March (4th) you had to ski around the grass/mud.
  It is fine to sing the praises of Pamporovo resort (because I also do; it is one of my favourite resorts to go to) but reports need to be accurate otherwise it can do the resort more damage than good.

• April 03, 2009
  ММ from Italy
  

  You must learn when snow conditions are all right. There was very good snow this Feb and March, when Italy had awfully snow. Pamporovo is a very good, really world class resort, with very nice people and slopes. The snow was 240cms and it was an amazing vacation.

• March 30, 2009
  martin from United Kingdom
  

  I was at Pamporovo from the 21-28Feb 09. I had a fantastic time. The hotel Merrian was excellent; rated 3 star but more like a 4 star in my book. The staff were good. Pamporovo village has an excellent location opposite the ski bus stop. I spent most nights in the White Hart pub 'till the early hours with a group of lads from Hull. This pub has been there since the late 80s and is still good but is not as cheap as it once was. Pamporovo had excellent snow on the slopes all week (8.30am to 5pm). I recommend ghoulash soup for lunch with bread which is only 5 lev. I will be going back in a couple of years time and heard they are going to be joining up other mountain areas so there will be more skiing at Pamporovo. Thanks to the resort rep for keeping us in tow (at night). Don't take my word for it, go yourself as skiing in Bulgaria is up and coming and Pamporovo is the place.

• March 23, 2009
  Andrey Pavlov from Bulgaria
  

  Great conditions at Pamporovo for ski & snowboard. Plenty of snow due to the powerful snowfalls these days. The snow cover varies from 100-110cm in the lowest areas of the resort to 220-250cm on the summit. The snow cover, shown at the report is very debased. It has been snowing constantly for the last 3-4 days. There is a half-pipe built above the Stoudenets lift station, and there will be a snowboard contest at the half-pipe on the 28 March. It's gonna be a great event. Pamporovo has had great conditions from the beginning of the season (08/09).

• March 17, 2009
  chelseablue77 from United Kingdom
  

  Feb 21st - Feb 28th 2009.
  Myself and 2 friends went to Pamporovo and stayed at Pamporovo Palace apartments all in 1 room. Fantastic location, just a few minutes to the ski centre & a few more metres to the chair lift. The room we stayed in was fantastic (could have slept 6 easily). The snow, when we turned up, was great. All the runs were open and very quiet. All the restaurants at Pamporovo were quiet as well (caused by the credit crunch I presume).
  We found a great little Bulgarian bar just out of town opposite the pizza place; great food and Mickey was very welcoming. Everyone else was charging 5 lev for a beer, whilst they only charged 2.5 lev. Will go back to Pamporovo soon.

• March 12, 2009
  Eileen Craig from United Kingdom
  

  My family of 6 went to Pamporovo from 21-28th Feb and had a great time.
  We had been there about 4 years ago and decided to return again this year.
  I had read some worrying reports on how the cost of living had risen and was quite worried that we might not have enough money with us. All this worry was for nothing as we didn't find the prices too high.
  We had lunch every day at the pizza hut and found the food to be well cooked and hot. I would share a pizza with my son and a bowl of chips and it would cost about £5 each.
  The hot chocolate was served in polystyrene cups and not chipped mugs.
  We found the staff to be very curtious at Pamporovo and they had a good sense of humour.
  As for the safety on the slopes, we found that on the first 2 days there were people to help you get on the ski lifts and then after that you helped yourself which was the right thing to do.
  The staff in the boot/ski hire place were very good allowing me to use a pair of their boots for free when I found a problem with mine.
  The only thing I would comment on that was unfavourable was the food in the hotel we stayed at which was the Ortovetz. We did not expect the food to be piping hot so the fact that it was only warm did not really bother us, however, on one night we went in at 8 for dinner and they had run out of most things and did not seem to be in a hurry to refill.
  Also the rooms have very thin walls and therefor you can hear your neighbours.
  All in all, I would give the holiday at Pamporovo 8 out of 10 loosing 2 marks because of the hotel which is classed a as 5* which it isn't.

• February 20, 2009
  Don Will from United Kingdom
  

  The snow hasn't been great so far this year (from what I have read), but when there is snow Pamporovo is such a great resort. Just spent a week there and the conditions are now amazing. Just such a great experience skiing through all the trees lined slopes. Pamporovo is quite a small resort compared to those in western Europe so had done most of the runs by the 2nd day. But when you have good snow it doesn't matter. Choose your dates wisely in the future, but definitely don't miss this magical place.

• February 11, 2009
  staceyhumphreys from United Kingdom
  

  Just arrived back from Pamps (Pamporovo) 09/02/09 and stayed at the Royal Lodge Hotel. Had a really great time with enough snow on the slopes to enjoy the green, blue and red runs. Ski Instructor Hristo from Atril (Studenets) was brill and really wanted the beginners in our group to do well; thanks Hristo. Can't wait to return to Pamporovo next year but would love there to be more snow throughout the resort next time.

• January 29, 2009
  Simon Weston from United Kingdom
  

  Possibly the worst experience of my life:
  Just arrived back from this place (Pamporovo) and would seriously advise spending a fraction more to be able to actually spend some time on a decent piste.

• January 27, 2009
  HELEN WELLS from United Kingdom
  

  My visit to Pamporovo was the worst holiday ever. Only 4 pistes open when we arrived and the snow was thin on the ground. It rained for 2 days which destroyed the skiing. No skiing. To then be given a letter saying pistes closed due to 'high winds'; what winds? There were no snow puddles and streams appeared on the mountain. We walked up to look at the conditions. Then it snowed all day 23/1/09 giving great snow coverage but still only the few limited runs open with streams appearing under runs, breaking through the snow.
  I shall never ski again at Pamporovo. The slopes have not been maintained. I have been for the last 3 years. That was the last.

• January 26, 2009
  tracey from United Kingdom
  

  Just got back from Pamporovo and will not return. Badly managed slopes with rocks, tree stumps, ice, mud, roads all coming through. Plenty of snow about to make runs safe but not done. One snow machine working with perfect conditions for snow making, other machines left idle. What a rip off on the slopes and resort; £4.00 for a hot chocolate in a cracked mug and a bit of whipped cream, £9.00 for a Hawaiian pizza, £3.00 for a small portion of chips, £2.00 for a small coke and bottled water, £4.00 - £5.50 for a pint of beer. Most of the time I felt the people were miserable, arrogant and rude, with only a handful of friendly people in the whole resort. The supermarket staff need lessons in manners, as do the hotel staff. Stayed at the Orlovetz 5* hotel; lovely and clean with nice rooms but way too hot (-7 with balcony door open to sleep). Staff were rude, arrogant and unhelpful. I went to the Piano bar once but it were not impressed at all. There was only one bar tender who was ok'ish and one porter, that was it. I was unhappy with the behaviour of the restaurant staff too. The lobby bar had all the staff drinking and smoking and laughing at guests. I don't think they ever went home. The trouble is they joined the EU and charged EU prices with extra % but there is a long way to go until they achieve EU standards. After heavy rain (no snow), they sacked the slope management team. Too late for this season; the prices you get charged are just the same prices as Europe, but without the high standards and decent manners (after all manners and politeness are free). Don't waste your money going here.

• January 22, 2009
  Trev from United Kingdom
  

  If you can time it right (i.e good snow conditions) Pamporovo is an excellent resort for beginners. People are very friendly and helpful.

• January 07, 2009
  Karen Shuttleworth from United Kingdom
  

  Stayed in Pamporovo 28 Dec 2008 - 03 Jan 2009.
  The snow conditions were just about ok, but the lack of piste management meant the slopes were icy, rocky and dangerous. There were sapling trees growing through the snow on most of the slopes. There were no signs to say which runs were open or closed. We saw one snow cannon working and several just sat around not working. Don't waste your money on this resort.

• December 29, 2008
  gwpter from United Kingdom
  

  Just came home on the 27 Dec 08 and must say we had a great time. As it was the start of the season the skiing conditions weren't great, but picked up towards the week. Our instructor, Kinga, informed us it was the worst Xmas for snow for 15 years, but that's just in the laps of the gods. Would definately go back next year but we would go in Jan as conditions are better. But hats off to everyone who made our trip and Xmas special, esp the Bulgarian people, who were more than ready to help. Hats off to Pamporova.

• December 11, 2008
  Rhian from United Kingdom
  

  Myself and my partner went skiing for the first time at New Year 08 and stayed at the Murgavets. We had a great time and the ski instruction was fab. If they can teach me they can teach anyone. So we returned at the end of March and the snow conditions were not anywhere near as good as at New Year. We stayed at the hotel Pamporovo. The resort is great and has something for everyone, the people are really friendly. We will be back Jan 09 (The Taffy's return;)