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
March 18, 2008
Jon from
United Kingdom
Jon from
United Kingdom
I returned from a week in hell............sorry, Borovets last week and have recently recovered from the experience to explain how unexceptionally bad this resort is!!!! I think the people who have written the previous reviews have summed up the resort exceedingly accurately so I will try and limit what I say (which is hard seeing as I could rant for hours)!!
All I want to say is that I normally take reviews on websites with a pinch of salt as people usually set too high standards and you can normally make a fist of the holiday. Unfortunately, even I have to say that Borovets is the worst ski resort regarding accommodation, snow, infrastructure and service that I have ever been to, and I have boarded in the Czech Republic and stayed in a resort that is not even advertised by the holiday companies due to the isolation and lack of tourist like facilities.
The only saving grace for me was that I stayed 20kms outside of Borovets in a really nice apartment. However, I did venture in to Borovets for one night and stayed in one of the hotels (which was pleasant enough) but had I been there for the full week, I would have gone home on the second day!!
Please listen to the negative reviews - they are all genuine.
I shall be returning to Canada next year!!!
March 17, 2008
neil from essex from
United Kingdom
neil from essex from
United Kingdom
Borovets, Feb 2008.
Stayed in the hotel Rila, meant to be 4 star but, to be honest, I`d say more of a 3 star hotel.
Hotel was pretty clean and the food was ok. The prices of the drinks from the bar were very expensive to say the least and they have the cheek to leave tins on the bar for tips!!
This hotel is situated in a prime position, right at the foot of the Rila mountain.
Another scam they have is to short change you. I got fleeced twice in the Rila, the second time I noticed it and complained to the person who served me....her answer was 'sorry we don't have no change'. This happens everywhere in Borovets. In one shop the person who served me tried to pass some sweets instead of the correct amount of change...............so beware.
Snow conditions were not that great on the Rila mountain but the Yastrebets mountain was ok..........but the lift queues are a joke. We queued for 45 mins, and this was just to get to the top of the Yastrebets mountain. When we did eventually get to the top we found the queues for all the lift were quite large (but not as big as the main gondola). Also, another point to add, is most lifts on the Yasterbets mountain are drag lifts, they are also not very user friendly. The drag lifts are very steep and fast and are way too long especially if you snowboard,the lifties are not all that helpful either.
Ski school.......avoid Borosports at all costs. The staff are very rude and are only interested in your money. The ski instructors are not much better.............they leave you if you cannot keep up.
Clubs/pubs:
Plenty of nightlife with strip clubs thrown into the mix as well..............but be warned, it's been said that many of these places spike peoples drinks and also make sure you don't leave any money in your pockets as thieving is rife in some clubs. The prices in pubs vary from 5 Lev to 6 Lev for a pint of local beer and shorts can be around 8 Levs.
Mountain food:
Don't bother unless you have money to burn.
Overall report:
Limited piste with outdated lift system. Everything over priced since joining the EU. The place needs a total refurb and the streets are really dirty with beggars pestering you.
Would I go again? No.
This used to be a cheap option but now the prices are up it's not worth paying that sort of money when you can go elswhere with better pistes and lifts system.
If bulgaria keep trying to fleece ppl like they have been they might not have return clients
March 14, 2008
melanie from
United Kingdom
melanie from
United Kingdom
Stayed in Borovets 9th Feb for one week. Iglika palace hotel was dangerous on entrance. Rooms very basic. First time skiing. Our first instructor showed us how to stop twice then took us up the gondola. Scary at top for us beginners. I had both my 2 children with me, one is hard of hearing and dyspraxic. We changed instructors on the 3rd day as it became apparent our instructor wasn't interested in those that couldn't keep up. The second instructor was fabulous (thanks Bobi).
All in all, Borovets was fun. We were 2 families with 6 kids. The 6 year olds went to the Mura kindergarten where they enjoyed 1 hour skiing in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. Good English speaking nannies and well worth booking the children in there although do ask for a helmet for your child as they don't automatically give one. We all learned to ski by the end of the week (green runs). The snow conditions could be better but I think we just about had the last of the skiing conditions. I think anyone going after this week would struggle. Look at website Justborovets.com for an actual webcam set up from Ice Angels hotel. It doesn't show the full range of the slopes but is pretty good and it's live. Another one is to type in Ski dvd borovets webcam on your search engine and it should come up with a local chalet called Iskar which is just up the road from the gondola. It gives an idea of whether it has been snowing as you can see the roads and trees (which were covered in snow when we were there) and we are amazed how quickly the snow has disappeared. The lowest temperature on the lower slopes outside the Rila was -8. Not sure whether we would go back as we would like to see other places but our experience was probably a score of 8 out of 10 but could do better.
March 12, 2008
Col of Stoke from
United Kingdom
Col of Stoke from
United Kingdom
Went to Borovets for first ski holiday and had no preconceptions. Good job really. The snow conditions weren't that bad and the lifts were open all week, however, the thing that annoyed me the most was the menu prices did not tally up with what they asked for. If drinks came to 7 Levs they would take 10 Levs and that was that. Even in the supermarkets the store assistant would add on a couple of Levs for themselves even on a small purchase of a bar of chocolate, which only cost 2 Levs to start with. Oh well, I hope they spend their bonus tips, that were not given with choice, wisely as that will be the last they see of my money. Enjoyed learning to ski but didn't like the resort much, and disliked the locals even more. By the way, if you are going to snowboard and hire the boots there, just check the size you are given as I was given three sizes to big and was then offered a size too small, when I wouldn't budge on the service they agreed to give me ski equipment instead without any extra cost.......wasn't that nice.
March 11, 2008
Alya from
Russia
Alya from
Russia
We are in Borovets now and I feel like I must add a few words to the 2 last comments which I fully agree with. Actually we are here because Russians need visas to Schengen countries so you don't have much choice for a last minute deal. I can't see a single reason for British tourists to be here but I'm very surprised to see tons of them. The price for the package was very much the same as in Alps (Austria or Andorra are just +100 euros but they are SKI resorts, and Borovets is not about skiing at all). Well, they don't have snow and they don't care. They don't do snow-making even when the temperatures are below zero. They switched off web cameras and cheat people by saying they have 180 sm of snow. They closed 60 per cent of the lifts but report the area as fully open and sell ski-pass at normal price. If we have to choose among 3 drag lifts upstairs and one run from the top of gondola (we are experts) there is NO choice at all for beginners. They all stay in one huge queue (1 hour?)for a 300 meter drag lift which has a green run.
They either don't mark slope borders at all or mark them with yellow metallic tubes (choose whatever you want). They have some smart grooming technique which might save one run for rat tracks but leaves un-groomed ribbons with icy rocks on them so it is just dangerous to go fast. They have another amazing thing - technical check for ski-lifts! It means every day of the week one lift is closed for half a day!
Well, the hotel is very good and the food is nice and cheap and everything is rounded by a beautiful forest but that's not what we were looking for!!!
They say Borovets is a Bulgarian resort (unlike Bansko which is international). I have never been to Bansko (and will never try now) but let's leave Borovets to Bulgarians...
March 11, 2008
Mark from
France
Mark from
France
Spent first week of March in Borovets, and am so disappointed that I think I need another holiday but don't have the holiday days. I, like many others, chose Bulgaria over the Alps as a 'cheap' alternative, well never again. I could have got the same deal to the Alps for 200euro more but didn't go for it and am suffering from depression because of my decision. You can call me an Alps snob after reading this, well I am, and proud of it! I usually ski in France and Italy and have skied outside of the Alps before, in the Appenines, in Italy, so wasn't expecting a lot from Borovets. What I got was so much less than I expected.
Where to start? Snow conditions were awful. I had looked at snow reports the preceeding weeks (several websites) they all differed and none were accurate. they over-estimated, hugely, the amount of snow there. The lower slopes are in absolutely terrible condition and should be closed straight away; grass and muck everywhere, they're just dangerous!! Have you noticed how the webcam hasn't changed for two weeks, that's because there are areas of mud where the camera points at, dishonest F&*k*rs won't show you how it actually is. However, the snow up top serviced by the gondola is good and there's a lot of it BUT the acrhaic gondola was closed 3 out of the 6 skiing days I was there because of bad weather even though it was 16 degrees celcius. Apparently it was windy but that's just not good enough, considering that a ski pass here is more expensive than a ski pass to e.g Livigno, Italy where their lifts would have been open under the same conditions. The hot weather led to it raining down in the resort. I have never been to a resort before when it's raining and I have to say, it is so depressing. While it was raining down below it was snowing up top but this area only has drag lifts that service several red slopes with one black. In fairness the slopes were nice and wide with good snow but so short. As an intermediate skier, I could get down them in under a minute, no problem. This upper area is not catered towards boarders at all, the drag lifts are over a km long and seriously steep at times so the only really short skiable area in the whole resort is a nightmare for boarders.
The best run was down from the top station of the gondola to the mid station but this still failed to inspire. The ratio of waiting and queuing to actually skiing is so imbalanced. The runs from the top down to the resort are all closed so you have to get the gondola down. We waited an hour to get down one day. The best thing to do is get the last gondola up from mid station and take your time coming down. Have a drink or something so when you get back to the mid station the queue should be small or gone....no wait just don't go at all.
The ski pass is a rip off, considering the lift system is so bad and they don't seem to be developing it anytime soon. Don't give me that super Borovets development they're talking about. All that involves right now is building more hotels so I don't know how the lift system (if you can call it that) will be able to service the increased numbers.
Okay, a few positives, drink and food is very cheap in comparison to the Alps but why would you choose a resort because it has cheap drink and food unless you are an alcoholic or foodoholic. You're going on a ski holiday so it should be based around the quality of skiing, something Borovets completely lacks. I will say if the weather had been better and the slopes back to resort open, it would have been better but why go to a resort where the ski quality hangs on such a balance.
There were hookers everywhere and they seemed to be friendly with hotel and bar staff, something I found unusual. The night life was awful, we were a group of guys and I know ski resorts usually have more males but it must have been 90% guys to 10% girls and that's being generous.
Even if Borovets had been working on full capacity, all ski runs open, good weather etc, my review would not be very different. I had read hundreds of reviews before going. They seemed to devided into three categories; people who loved Borovets, people who thought it was fine and people who hated it. I'm extremely liberal. I travel a lot and don't expect a lot. I did not think I would love it but thought I would find it okay but have to say it was absolutely awful. All I can say is if you are used to the Alps or Canada etc, just don't go, it's not worth the disappointment. I think the positive reviews are from people who got Borovets with real good conditions or have never been to a proper ski resort before. I read some reviews with people saying you get what you pay for but this is simply not true because I have since done research and you can get packages to Livigno for the same price and food and drink is not much more expensive there as it is duty free.
If you have already booked a holiday to Borovets for this year in March I would pay a cancellation fee as there will be no more snow coming. How can it snow when the temperature is so high? I hate the power of hindsight and will not be fully over my awful experience in Borovets until I'm in the Alps next year, something I will have to wait 9 long months for. Another thing, all the package holiday websites glorify Borovets with phrases and pictures. Just don't believe them, really save yourself the sorrow and go to the Alps. A bit of research will get you a deal at the same price.
March 05, 2008
Dave Mason from
United Kingdom
Dave Mason from
United Kingdom
Just returned from a week's skiing in Borovets. We won't be going again. We booked like I'm sure many do, as a 'cheap' alternative to the Alps, but like many things in life, you only get what you paid for and next time. That extra £100 to go to the Alps will be money very well spent.
Hotel - We stayed at the Bor which was basic (which we expected) comfortable and clean. Staff were attentive and the food was, again, basic, but exactly what we paid for. The main problem is the hotel is a 10 mins uphill walk to the gondola which does make a difference. The Rila and Samokov are much more convenient.
Skiing - it was 2-3 weeks since it had snowed and desperately needs some. The resort runs were treacherous, then closed after a couple of days. I was a second time skier, my partner a long time snowboarder. The top runs are very short, queues were long and the drag lifts nasty. The operators were completely disinterested. Runs were icy in the morning, slush in the afternoon. We didn't even try the left hand area of the resort. At 1800 metres, we heard they had even poorer conditions. The best run we had was from the top to the gondola middle station which was varied and a few km long... we did this endlessly for 3 days.
Borovets centre - weren't impressed...Blackpool with snow which is fine if you like that sort of thing, terrible if you don't. Fake clothing, dirty streets, beggars, horse poo all over the place from all the mangey horses (and drivers) with carts, someone outside bars trying to get you in (some hassled you at 9am to get you in in the evening!) which I hate. Chilli Peppers was an exception, which we'd heard was good, and it was.
Prices - right, lets get one thing straight, this place is NOT 'cheap'. Local Beer £1.50+ in Borovets, £2.50+ on top. Paid 12 Lev (about £5) for hot chocolate and brandy at the top out of a drinks machine sized cup. Also £5 for a hot-dog (!). This is Lastern Europe, not the Alps, they seem to have forgotten. Everyone out for every Lev they can get. Some of the rental gear is woeful. Boards down to the wood, ancient boots etc. People we spoke to said since the EU, everything has doubled and I can believe it. Quick tip - learn a few words of Bulgarian...surprising how the drink measures improve!!
People - either completely over-friendly (when you are paying them) or rude and miserable (when you're not). Skiing instructors are mostly greasy middle aged fat blokes. People who had lessons told us they were disinterested and lazy, failing to encourage anyone to develop their skills. We saw one instructor fighting with a pupil. Someone else also saw a different fight. Bizarre
Gondola - who said they have modern lifts? This apparently is an old second hand gondola from France, holds 6 and woefully inadequate especially as they are building new hotels all over the place. We waited an hour to get up the mountain one day, so made sure we were there bang on 8.30am every day thereafter. Not even someone making sure each car is full with 6 people so you have hundreds queueing and the cars going up with free spaces. Ski pass about £120 for 6 days, not good value for the facilities.
In my opinion, don't get tempted. Borovets isn't up to the job. Cut yourself a good deal to the Alps. Happy skiing/boarding everyone!
February 27, 2008
Phill Robinson from
United Kingdom
Phill Robinson from
United Kingdom
Went to Borovets on w/c 2nd Feb. Even though the official snow depth was 160 top 60 bottom in the words of Victor "I don't believe it". Snow was very scarce at the top of each steep section.
After staying there last year at the same hotel, I was surprised at how comparatively expensive it had become. The £ to the Leve had dropped but the prices in each restaurant had gone up by a couple of Leve per meal. Now you can't say that it's as expensive as the French Alps but if you are going there after a few years away, take a bit more spending money than you did last time. It's worth buying your ski pass along with your holiday as it's much, much cheaper that way. In years gone by it would have been cheaper to purchase it when you got there (As I did this year, Doh !!!)
February 26, 2008
LEIGH-ANNE from
United Kingdom
LEIGH-ANNE from
United Kingdom
Borovets is fab in my opinion. Myself and a huge group of mates have been going for the last 4 years and we go again on Saturday! The reason we keep going back, is because we always have such a good time... we always stay at the Rila too, basically because it's so convenient after a night out etc. The nightlife is wicked, Franco,s, Buzzbar, Black Tiger; it's all good, but then so is the group I go with, it's what you make it!
The rooms are basic at the Rila but always warm and clean, the staff are friendly if the guests are friendly! If there are 4 of you, then book 2 hotel rooms. The studios are ok, if there are 2 adults, with 2 children, as they have bunk-beds, but 4 adults sharing a studio, is just silly! Easy to sort when you book... ask for 2 rooms!
The food isn't the best at the Rila, but is better out and about, just depends if you want to pay for it, or eat at the hotel. What do people expect from Bulgaria? It is a poor country, but still a cheap ski resort to visit, compared to the Alps etc. We get what we pay for. As for the ski runs being limited.. yes they are. However, we know that, as it's clearly advertised in most brochures; that it has limited runs etc.
I think people should stop moaning, and stop expecting too much, and actually do a bit of research before they visit these places, that way everyone knows what to expect!
Borovets is cheap and basic, and if you want a lot more from a ski resort, in terms of a challenge or top cuisine, then go to France or Switzerland. However, if you want a good laugh in a cheap resort, it's definitley the place to visit!! and our instructor, George, is wicked. Ask for him, he'll teach a group of adults and children, and do a good job so your children can stay with you!
February 26, 2008
nina milton from
United Kingdom
nina milton from
United Kingdom
Stayed at the Iglika palace for a week in Feb 2008. Hotel was comfortable, clean and very warm. Public areas were all clean, tidy and staff were friendly. Our room in the new part of the hotel was huge, clean and we had 5 beds even though there were only 3 of us. The bath was big and deep. The balcony was an unexpected bonus, with views of slopes. Food was ok; don't expect too much.
Hotel location was perfect, right behind the rila. Quiet area but very close to ski collection, school and slopes.
My ski instructor, Emil, was good, he taught well and our group all improved well. He was friendly and worked us hard. Some of the others did look like they were there to have fun and not teach but people found it easy to change instructor. My daughter, aged 10, had a teacher who didn't seem too keen to teach. She had fun though. We both had good bunches in our groups.
The town itself is small, but there are plenty of bars, eateries, entertainment, bowling, sledging, swimming, etc etc to do. Didn't see any prostitutes. There were a few MENS bars but they were'nt too obvious. Food and drink were cheap but Bulgarians in the same place, having the same, pay less.
Lifts were all good, none were shut. Snowed hard on the first day. It was cold but after it was sunny and warm, tans galore.
More slopes on offer than we expected, piste maps need to be updated in the UK as the resort had more, including a 10km green. My husband, a fairly good skier, managed to occupy himself the whole week. Good views from the top of the gondola.
Would go again, possibly if the Euro knocks prices up not, but at the moment I enjoyed it more than Niederau and Claviere. Certainly more runs.
All in all, good resort.
Nearest