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Borovets Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Borovets Ski Resort

Borovets Ratings

Overall: 3.7. Based on 106 votes and 186 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 3.7

(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.

Variety of pistes: 4.0

(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.

Off-piste: 3.1

(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.

Scenery: 4.0

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.2

(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: 3.6

(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.

Accommodation: 4.4

(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: 3.9

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.7

(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: 4.3

(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: 3.7

(1) There are no child care facilities at Borovets, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 3.6

(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: 3.9

(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: 3.7

(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: 2.7

(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: 4.0

(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: 3.6

(1) The staff at Borovets are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Borovets are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.4

(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: 4.2

(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: 4.2

(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.

Beginners: 4.1

(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: 4.2

(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: 3.1

(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.

Cross-country: 3.3

(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: 2.2

(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: 3.7

(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: 4.2

(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: 4.2

(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: 3.6

(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: 3.3

(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: 3.5

(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: 3.7

(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): 4.0

(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): 4.1

(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.

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January 13, 2006
Kerri Salthouse from Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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.
January 04, 2006
sian hopkins from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have just skiid the upper slopes of the Borovets for the first time today and I just had to come and put some words on the pc to say how much fun it was. I have skiid France and Canada and I can honestly say that this compares very favourably with lots of runs to choose from and plenty of snow. The mountain offers excellent skiing for beginners but most of all intermediaries and advanced. There are bars and restaurants at the top of the Gondola and plenty of space on the slopes with lift ques being resonable despite this being a bulgarian holiday. I hear that they are planning new slopes with the Super Borovets programme and I will definatley return to ski here again. Oh and also so cheap 1\2 day pass 8 pounds sterling and a whole day 18 pounds sterling with discounts available to tour operators.
January 02, 2006
GUY from Ski United States United States
We are going back to Hotel Rila, Borovets, for the 3rd year running.Hotel clean, rooms ok,locals are very welcoming. Ski instruction 1st class, had the same one 2yrs running.If you do not find Borovets right for you, you need to get out more and see the world, having lived in lots of places this is not the worst. Value for money is very good.
December 22, 2005
Chris T. from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have purchased a house in Samokov near to the Borovets and have skied the resort for the first time today. It is the 20th December, 2005 and all the lifts and gondola are running and we have had a lot of snow allowing for all runs to be in operation. The Gondola takes you upto the highest point on the mountain resulting in quiet slopes and magnificent views. The Rila Hotel Quads are the busiest and are lower in altitude but great for intermediaries and learners. The resort is fun and friendly though Samokov's restuarants and bars are considerably cheaper meaning they are rediculously cheap. I have skied Canada, USA and Europe and though still developing, I have to say that I have been impressed with the length of the runs and the snow conditions in Bulgaria. If you want value for money, fun night life and lots of snow time come to Borovets, Bansko or Pamporovo.
December 20, 2005
Suzanne Hayes from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I'm very glad to see so many positive reviews on this site for a resort that is filled with character and very friendly people. I am also not surprised to see the negative few, which I feel have been unfairly written. Bulgaria is an ex-communist country struggling to get back on it's feet - when visiting there you need to have some realistic idea of what you are visiting. Hotels can be very basic and old, and the food in the hotels may not be what you're used to in european resorts, but the hospitality is warm and friendly, and is the reason I'm going back for the third year in 2006 - and yes, I do ski in other areas of Europe too, but Borovets keeps drawing me back. Many skiers have such a blinkered view of ski-runs and how extensive they should be - at the end of the day, you can make a run as hard as you want by ski-ing it harder. Borovets offers more than enough ski-ing for a week, with amazing views from the top of the mountain, good and varied food available in the 114 bars (what more do you want?) clean accommodation, with everything close to hand and no crowded ski-buses to fight your way onto. Not to mention the horse-drawn carts to ferry you around. All in all a fabulous ski-ing holiday.