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
February 14, 2006
Judith Gamse from
United Kingdom
Judith Gamse from
United Kingdom
It was the coldest week in a very, very long time - the gondola opened on Sunday, then closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...
A good flight and we arrived on Saturday night at about 8.30pm, dumped our stuff at the Iglika and went straight around to White Magic where we got a lovely greeting from Christo.
Sunday was ski school - got up early, got our ski packs from the reps and then went in search of Tosh - found him and got him as my ski instructor for the week. It was a beginners class, but I was an "advanced beginner" - needed to get the ski legs back first before going into an intermediate class. We spent the first day on the Rila slopes just doing the basics - and in the afternoon we were already on the drag lift there - no longer side stepping up the slopes like most of the classes.
On Monday morning, we went to the steeper nursery slopes over the other side and spent the morning there, and in the afternoon, the group took the Sitnayakovo chair lift and did the 6km run. I didn't join in with this.... not my favourite run.... spent the afternoon at White Magic instead.
Tuesday the group were back on the Sitnayakovo run - but did a couple of practices on the small drag lift at the top there first. I decided to try blades on Tuesday - I'm not a blades person I've decided - I'm glad I only rented them for the week and not bought them. We were practicing traversing the blue at the top of the Sitnayakovo - two turns, wait for th rest of the group, carry on - one of the class went into me - had I been on skis I'd have stayed upright, but with blades on, as soon as the bodyweight got released, down I went. Came down on the chair lift and joined the group at the end of the run. Did the Inghams Pizza and a Quiz night and our team came third.
Wednesday - missed the group so checked the e-mails, went to lunch at White Magic and got convinced by friends to go on the Sitnyakovo 6km with them. Only fell once and that was on a piece of sheet ice where I didn't have the momentum to keep going. I got to the part where it crosses the black run my friends refused to let me take my skis off - I've a new nickname - Sheeeeeeeeet scared of Borovets... It was such a feeling of elation doing it - back to White Magic in the evening.
Thursday - the gondola was open at last - went up to the top and rather than just do one run on the long drag, we went straight off down to the red run. No falls - great fun. Schussing down the blue though didn't half judder my legs. Spent the whole day up there and it was so nice. Got the skidoo taxi up to the gondola again - it's gone up, it's 5 lev this year!!!
Friday - last day on the slopes and Tosh took us up the Rila 4 man chair. Oh no, that was really scary... Sheeeeeeeeettt scared of Borovets was in her element - I looked at the slope and just thought to myself "gulp" I can't do that - only one tiny fall - actually going out from the blue run out onto the red bit - the sheer steepness of it unnerved me. I lay there in the snow just scared out of my wits and laughing - being stupid really as I knew I could do it. Got down nearly the whole way without incident - got cramp in my legs just before it turns off onto the green so came down on my bum from the red across to the green then skiied the rest of the way down (including across the black and reds)
In the afternoon, we went up the Gondola again and I just pottered around on the baby drag lift - the rest of the group went on the red, but by then, my legs had had enough. Did the baby blue about 4 or 5 times but I know when I've had enough. Got the skidoo taxi back up and took some photos. Ski diploma presentation in the evening and we also all went out to Black Cat for dinner with Tosh. Got a bottle of sprite split over me by the waitress and when I asked for a replacement, she tried to charge me. In the UK they'd have been sent a dry cleaning bill!!!
Flight home was fine - except a 3 hour delay so we didn't get indoors until 2am!!! should have been home by about 10.30pm. Had the best time for ages - I'm slowly getting my confidence and tackling more challenging runs. Met a fantastic group of people and will definitely be going back again - but I'm going to try Arinsal in 2007, just to see the difference.
Hope that helps everyone. I went for massages at the Samokov when I was staying at the Iglika, it was 25 lev for a massage at the Samokov and 40 lev at the Iglika - 5 massages in a week, that's 75 lev saved!!!
February 14, 2006
sue from
United Kingdom
sue from
United Kingdom
February 14, 2006
Heather from
United Kingdom
Heather from
United Kingdom
I went with 3 others, 4-10 February 2006. 3 of us were beginners and 1 advanced. We had a really terrific time on every front. The slopes and runs were super. Yes, they were suitable for novices, but our experienced pal (and others) thought there was plenty of interest on the reds and blacks. The scenery both high and low ranged fron spectacular to beautiful/peaceful. The gondola, chair lifts and button lifts all worked, which meant access everywhere. People warm, welcoming and charming. Ski instructors seemed excellent, clear, sympathetic and appropriately challenging. Not sure what all the complaints about food are about (though sympathise with a duff Xmas dinner!)...though not a huge amount of variety in the hotels all the grub is fresh and good and the restaurants are just fine. Hotels are clean, warm, efficient and welcoming. Borovets is an absolute bargain. Our whole holiday including ski pass, ski hire, ski school, hotel, half board, flight, transfer, drinks and meals in Borovets, a couple of excursions (Samokov and Sofia) and a first rate massage cost just under £350. I highly recommend it for groups, singles and families. Oh...and please buy the socks of the grannies on the main road...rather heart breaking seeing them in the cold selling their knitwear for a few lev.
February 06, 2006
miro from
United Kingdom
miro from
United Kingdom
Went to Borovets in the last week of January. Stayed in a private villa 15 minutes away and between 2 ski areas. It was lovely. Huge private ground, stunning views, white fluff everywhere.
Some of us decided to stay one day in the ski chalet and chill out, just looking at the scenery, watching some ski dvds and having plenty of drinks in our own very cool tavern downstairs. It was a good experience. The snow was just perfect. Very cold and sunny. What more do you want.
We managed to ski at another small resort, Maliovitsa. The runs were good for a day. Very quite place and an absolute bargain. Lift passes there were around 3 pounds. To our suprise on the way back from Maliovitsa we tried the run in Govedarci which is fantastic.
The choice of a ski chalet was a good one. We had freedom to do what we wanted. Highly recommended place with friendly people.
Now looking at the weather forecast around the mountains in Europe I can say that Bulgaria is quite lucky with such good cover, even more than the French resorts like: Val Thorens, Meribel etc. Looking to fly there but maybe have to consider Bulgaria again for a second time this season.
January 13, 2006
Kerri Salthouse from
United Kingdom
Kerri Salthouse from
United Kingdom
I went to Borovets over the Christmas week and I stayed in the hotel Rilla. It was a nice hotel, kept very clean, the rooms where basic but that is what you get if you go in a hotel no matter what country. We were told before we went that there were a lot of prostitutes in the hotel rilla but while I was there, there were none. Be carefull when ordering drinks from the lobby bar becuase the waitreses will try to add money onto your bill so make sure that you ask for a bill becuase they don't always give you one.
There are a lot of beggers outside of the Rilla but they are nothing to worry about.
The slopes are kept in very good condition and there is a wide variety of slopes for the beginners but if you are a more advanced (skier) then I would not advise it because there are only 3 black runs and the reds get very busy with beginners snowploughing everywhere. The teachers are very good they speak very good english and are very helpful. On the last day, you have skiing you have a party at night and get a certifcate it is great you get together with all of your group and we we had a meal out with our instructor, there was about 20 of us - it was a good laugh.
It is not as cheap as people make out but some places are cheaper than others places.
I can recommend the Happy Duck it is an English bar very small but it is a good laugh - very loud and full of fun.
Personaly I will not be going back, mainly becuase there is not enough variety of slopes for all the differant abilities of people that are in the group that we go with. But if you are a beginner then give it ago.
But I can recommend Sestriere in Itay.
January 09, 2006
Smithy from
United Kingdom
Smithy from
United Kingdom
Good god! Have personally just got back from Borovets after staying in the Samakov Hotel over New Year. The people in our group ranged from absolute beginner to pretty advanced skiers.
The Hotel is nice and has an excellent bar, as has the Rila. The food at the Samakov is basic, yes, but no one actually paid for cuisine food - remember that a similar holiday would probably cost you at least twice as much in Meribel, etc. There are prostitutes but having been out late most nights was never approached, apart from the individual "touts" who stand outside the various dens of ill repute (there are 6!) inviting you in. You can chose for yourself if you wish to enter!
It is pretty cheap - about 3 lev for a 1/2 litre of your finest Bulgarian ale which is about £1 ish. Food is very good in most of the restaurants - particularly at Julia's steak house which is near the top of the resort down one of the side streets. If you go there say that you know Steve & Matthew to the guys who run the place, Franco & George and they will treat you like long lost brothers!
The skiing was excellent with new snow (2-3 inches daily) apart from 1 day and there are pretty god red & black runs from the top of the gondola as well as the tamest slope in the area right at the top for those complete novices.
If your going - you will have a great time, unless you expect either a holiday in a fancy resport in the Alps or you want a experience in fine dining. I have to agree with one of the other writers - if you want this then I know some excellent chalets in Meribel!
January 08, 2006
Des Wilby from
United Kingdom
Des Wilby from
United Kingdom
Returned from Borovets afetr spending Xmas week on hol's with wife and 2 kids. Selected resort/Bulgaria because of personal recommendations - especially for first-time/'susty' skiers. We DIDN'T go to Bulgaria expecting haute cuisine and it was anticipated that there would be significant cultural differences. The holiday was GREAT, skiing super, conditions fabulous and intructors/locals really friendly and fun. Sad to read negative comments from some people - I won't argue about the Xmas dinner but what did you honestly expect?? - mum's cooking?? DEFINITELY NO PROSITUTES at the Rila Hotel, a few beggars but nothing of any worry. VERY cheap, loads of international restaurants, kids loved things and masses of stuff to buy - DVDs, electronics, clothes, perfumes.... You could do SO MUCH WORSE and pay a load more skiing in France/Austria...
January 07, 2006
Michael Smith from
United Kingdom
Michael Smith from
United Kingdom
As someone who has been lucky enough to work and ski in resorts all over Europe, I find the recent comments concerning Borovets, extremely unfair. Firstly, although there may not be a huge selection of runs, to say that the resort in only suitable for beginners is nonsense. It may not be possible to ski new runs every day, but some of the reds will certainly challenge even the most able skiers/boarders. As for the food, does anyone honestly book a holiday in Bulgaria expecting gourmet food to be served in the hotels? Of course not. My advice would be take an extra fifty pounds per couple, which will allow you to eat out at one of the several good quality restaurants every night. One advantage of skiing in Borovets is that it maintains that mountain village feel, unlike many of the "snow cities" in the Alps. And finally the comment regarding prostitutes is again nonsense. As for beggars, there may be the odd one or two, but if this is really going to spoil your holiday, can I perhaps suggest you try Scotland next year instead!
January 06, 2006
Lynn Salt from
United Kingdom
Lynn Salt from
United Kingdom
I have just come back from my stay at Borovets. It was o.k for a week and that is it. I wont ever go again. The Christmas gala was rubbish we stayed at the Rila. The rooms were standard, in the Lobby the waiters tried to rip you off, by putting extra money on your bill, so watch out. Before we went people told us that there were postitutes in the lobby in the Rila but we saw none. The ski school is good, instructors kind and caring. The runs are really only for beginners and advanced skiers are best going somewhere else. Cheap - we went out for a meal and it cost 190 Lev for 10 people axp. 19 Lev = £8 each and it was nice. The are a lot of beggars. Galoda was closed for 2 days. The skies that you hire are rubbish and they need a good wax.
January 06, 2006
Perri Walker from
United Kingdom
Perri Walker from
United Kingdom
I have just come back from a week at Borovets (Over Christmas. What can I say? It was the worst hoilday ever, we stayed at the Rila. The first thing was that the Christmas Gala was Crap we had a Greek salad for starts which was nice, but then we had pork, it was really dry, the peas were so hard, if you dropped them they made a noise, the potatoes were cold. I know that the Bulgarians eat their food between hot and cold but that was taken the P###. The ski school was good, about the only thing, the instructors were nice and friendly and were supportive. The resort is good for beginners and that is it.
Nearest