Snowsure: 3.7
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Borovets is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Borovets Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
January 27, 2010
Lisa from
United Kingdom
Lisa from
United Kingdom
We have been going to Borovets as a group of mixed abilities, including children, for the past 6-7 years and we are going again this Feb in half-term. The Bulgarians are lovely people and will do anything for you and the kids. Any accommodation we have stayed in has been very basic but very clean and tidy. Food is always, again, very basic in the hotels but if you venture outside, there are some great restaurants and not that dear either. Although restaurants will have people outside trying to get you inside, just have a bit of humour with them and they will leave you alone...smile, it doesn't hurt!! If you look after the Bulgarians, they will look after you. This includes the ski instructors. Get a good one, look after him/her and you will end up having a fantastic time even if there is a lack of snow as this is something that cannot be guaranteed! Borovets is ideal for beginners and groups that want to have a good time and to be honest, experienced skiers would probably only want a week there if all the party are of that same standard - the resort is quite small but sufficient for a mixed group. We ski in other countries and every year we go back to Borovets and wish that this little village could be in other countries. Oh, and a must is 'Georges Bar'...along the green run. Hand built shack by George himself who serves lovely hot 'medicine' (lovely alcohol to you and me!) and hot chocolate.....can't pass without stopping (unless out of control, that is!) All in all, Borovets is a fab skiing resort if you are not expecting 'the Ritz' of skiing. See you there if your are going in half-term.....
January 16, 2010
Owain Davies from
United Kingdom
Owain Davies from
United Kingdom
Myself, my wife & my sons (ages 27, 29 & 9) have just returned from Borovets today. We stayed in the hotel Samokov. Before going I was very concerned after reading some very bad reviews on the resort & hotel but went with a open mind and I have to say, do not take any notice of the bad reviews because the people who have written them must be very miserable & boring because this place is brilliant, the food in the hotel was fine it's not 4* but we had no complaints, the food outside of the hotel was lovely, especially the pizzas. The Bulgarian people cannot do enough for you. In one of the bars at the bottom of the nursery slopes my son asked for a bag of crisps but they did not sell them so one of the waiters ran down to the supermarket and got him some and didn't even charge us, now you can't fault that service. If you do go to this resort I can't recommend strongly enough that you use the Samokov ski school. All the instructors were very helpful, especially George. My wife & son were finding it hard to get the basics right in my group but within two hours with George they were snow ploughing and turning with no problems. Also the Neilson holiday reps were brilliant and really can't do enough for you and will help you if you need it.
The week that we have been in Borovets the snow was not good and we were told that it was the least amount of snow they'd had for years. This made skiing very difficult but that's the chance you take when you go on a skiing holiday. But even with that in mind we would still not hesitate to go back to Borovets. It has everything you need to have a nice holiday as long as you have a positive attitude and want to enjoy yourself! You will have a ball.
Owain Davies
South Wales
16/01/2010
January 08, 2010
John Hamond from
United Kingdom
John Hamond from
United Kingdom
Having returned from Borovets recently I'm left with very good impressions. I've stayed in the hotel Olimp- very cheap, in good condition, tasty food. Only on Yastrebez I enjoyed the skiing, because only there was there plenty of snow. But taking in mind the hot winter the snow condition was outstanding. That's why I'm going again there next winter for sure.
All in all, Borovets is a cost-effective and satisfying holiday for an average skier.
January 06, 2010
Karen from
United Kingdom
Karen from
United Kingdom
We went to Borovets February 2009 half term. Had lots of snow and had such a good time we stayed again from 26 December to 2 January.
We stayed at the Hotel Samokov as previously. The hotel is geared up for children with swimming, bowling and table tennis. People moan about the food but breakfast and dinner are buffet style and I think that if you can't find something to eat it's a bad job, I have a fussy 13yr old who quite happily ate chips, rice, fish and chicken every night. The hotel did make an effort on new years eve with a gala dinner and entertainment. Unfortunatly, there wasn't alot of snow but we had 4 good days of skiing on the Yastrebetz runs.
The ski instructor was very good. The other people in our group had stayed at Borovets before and we all had a good time.
The 2x days we couldn't ski the instructors did organise things for us to do i.e. ice skating in Samakov and then to a restaurant, walking and bowling last day.
The lack of snow didn't bother me and yes, I will be going back to Borovets again, as are the other people in our group. I would say that if you get good snow Borovets is excellent and good value for money. We have skied in France and Austria before and am going to Austria in March - double the money with not much going on for children!
January 04, 2010
JOE from UK from
United Kingdom
JOE from UK from
United Kingdom
Returned from Borovets on 2nd Jan 2010. Went with a party of 15 mixed ability skiers ranging between absolute beginners to decent intermediates. We stayed at the Hotel Ela. It is well placed for the gondola, very clean, staff were OK and buffet style food service always had something on offer which was to our liking. Snow conditions a bit dissappointing/limited but managed 4 days skiing in all but was enjoyable all the same. Previous visits to Borovets have always been good for snow so this isn't a common occurance in my opinion - just another unfortunate sign of the strange things happening with the weather these days!. Would recommend the ski hire shop attached to the Ela. Unfortunately I didn't hire my skis there but wished I had. Some of our friends did and were kitted out with really good quality gear - almost new and prices were on a par with what I'd hired but my skis and poles were functional but rather tatty. This is the 3rd time we've been to this particular resort having been to Mayerhoffen twice, Alp duez and Bad Gastien before revisiting Borovets. I think the place offers a ski holiday that is relatively cheap and excellent value for money. Ok, it's not as extensive or safisticated as what the Alps can offer but you get what you pay for. Contrary to some of the reviews I've read I found the people at Borovets are very friendly. Night life is good - bars and restaurants have certain charm, likewise the resort in general which I must admit does take a little getting use to but once you've tuned in to the atmoshere it's hard to fault. All our group - 3 families aged ranged between 20 - 53 enjoyed themselves without exception.
We'll be going back.
January 04, 2010
David from
Bulgaria
David from
Bulgaria
We have just come back from a holiday in Borovets having stayed at the hotel Yanakiev. I did read some reviews before we left home and as they varied widly went with an open mind. The hotel Yanakiev was ok but the food was dreadful, very little choice at any meal and on a good day warm but most of the time stone cold. This was suppose to be a skiing holiday for my grandchildren but there was NO SNOW and apparently this is not uncommon in Borovets. The town (if you can call it that) was awful, with us being pestered all the time to go into places to eat and the most miserable people that I have ever seen in my life, we never saw anyone smile the whole of the time we were there. Even if there had have been any snow the runs were not good. My suggestion: don't go to Borovets.
January 01, 2010
Rob from
United Kingdom
Rob from
United Kingdom
Just rtn back from Bulgaria. We went with a private tour operator called Snow and Wake Bulgaria. Half the group had never been skiing before and the other half were split between snowboarders and intermediate skiers. With a total of 26 in the group there was something for everyone.
We had a fantastic time.The director of the campany, Matt, is hands on both teaching on the slopes and making sure that everything is sorted with the rest of the holiday.
The package was 8,500 pounds for 26 of us at there new boutique chalet. This included 24 hr staff, our own chef, half board amazing food and transfers in their own bus, ski equipment and small group instruction with their own school. At 326 quid per head is was amazing !! Bulgaria shouldn't be put down: friendly people, good food and fun. We have book ed for next year.
Thanks very much all at SWB for a great time.
Rob Turner, Luton
December 29, 2009
Lisa from
United Kingdom
Lisa from
United Kingdom
We got back from Borovets early Sunday morning (27th december 2009)
We went to Borovets for Christmas, for a family holiday - 2 adults and 2 children (age 4 and 9).
When we arrived on the Saturday evening v late there was a nice amount of snow, and quite a bit of further snow fell on the Sunday, and that was it for the week, unfortunately this is the chance you take, as there is now guarantee of contiued snow fall.
We stayed in the Samokov Hotel which has a good location, and is a large hotel, however, if you are expecting a 4* hotel based on UK standards you will find it more of a 2 or 3* hotel.
Food at the hotel is pretty much as you would find in most foriegn countries, they don't really cater for children. The Gala diner on the other hand was good, although they were a little slow at ensuring everyone on the table got their food within 15 minutes of each other meaning that if you waited for the others food to arrive yours was cold, and if you didn't wait you had finished by the time theirs arrived. All in all we were impressed with the Gala dinner.
The rooms are not fantastic and we did have a fridge which was a bonus. The rooms are pretty dated and the sockets were not very secure. The lights get extremely hot! and are very dangerous, they are supposed to move, however, do not even attempt to touch one after it has been on for 5 minutes, unless you fancy visiting the local burns unit, IMO they are very dangerous, and there is no information warning you of this.
They don't appear to take much pride in fixing things as there are holes around everything. Having a shower was an experience, the curtain was far too short thus leaving a rather large gap for water to spray all over the floor,.
(WARNING don't try and tilt the shower towards the wall to try and avoid the curtain problem though as the baths aren't sealed and you will end with water running under the bath and out onto the floor)
The rooms do have sofa's in them which is a nice touch, and we found that channel 31 is the English films channel :)
They have a limited games room, but don't expect any help if any of the machines go wrong as all you will get is "it's not our problem."
We found most of the staff to be friendly and it's like everywhere, you get the few that obviously do not like their job, or guest, or anything else.
Also be careful which places you go into to eat, we were lured into one restaurant and on receiving the menu we saw that beans on toast was 11lev!!! and a bacon butty 15 lev! needless to say we swiftly exited. Some of the shops will try and charge you extra, but we never paid it, and told them what we would pay, and they always excepted it.
If you are staying in the Samakov or near to it you have to pay a visit to the artist there, he is fantstic and did a portrait of our children framed, also there is a painting pottery place near the shop, where you can paint you own pottery, and you don't even have to be good at painting as they will transform it for you.
All in all it is not a bad place to go, however, for those like us who didn't go for the skiing at Borovets you will end up getting bored after the first 3 days.
December 25, 2009
Martin Davies from
United Kingdom
Martin Davies from
United Kingdom
I have a house nr Beli Iskar near Borovets and I go twice a year. Stayed at the Lion Hotel, the Somokov and a few more before we bought our house 3 years ago.
Some hotels are more like our 2-3 star level but some are very good.
Snow is good and I board and wish they had a park out there but this will come.
I have been to America, France and Italy skiing and the snow is the same standard and just as good. The facilities in Bulgaria are a bit rustic with log fires and spit roast meats on the fire which I like.
The prices reflect this and the people can be a bit cheeky with bill paying but as long as you keep your eye on them they are fine and in good character.
I am back on the 15th of Jan for 4 days amd can't wait.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....
December 21, 2009
suehale from
Bulgaria
suehale from
Bulgaria
I am at the Hotel Mura in Borovets right now and have been in Bulgaria since Saturday 19th Dec 2009 with my four teenage children who are all complete beginners and we are having a fabulous time. There was plenty of snow when we got here and more again on Sunday but bright clear and sunny today. The instructor George (Jorgy) from Boro sports is absolutely brilliant with all our group and everyone in the resort is very friendly and welcoming. I did all my research on the internet through this site and others and would thoroughly recommend it to all families and beginners but do your research so you know what to bring and what to expect and try everything then you will enjoy the whole experience. A tip for beginners -insist that your boots are adjusted with screwdrivers and totally comfortable on the first day- your boots are not meant to hurt you but your legs will ache-bring swimming costumes and use the many hot tubs/jacuzzis available in the bigger hotels for a small charge. And learn some Bulgarian ! Nes Dravai! What a brilliant place to spend Christmas!
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