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Pamporovo resort snow
Lat Long: 41.62° N 24.72° E
Ski Bulgaria

Pamporovo Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Pamporovo Ski Resort

Pamporovo Ratings

Overall: 4.0. Based on 80 votes and 108 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 4.1

  • 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
  • Pamporovo is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 4.1

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Pamporovo has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.4

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.4

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 3.7

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Pamporovo

Public Transport: 3.7

  • There are no buses or taxis to Pamporovo
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 4.7

  • No places to stay in/near Pamporovo
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 4.3

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 4.3

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Pamporovo

Ski in/Ski out: 4.2

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 3.9

  • There are no child care facilities at Pamporovo
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 4.2

  • Pamporovo relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 4.2

  • There are no snow groomers at Pamporovo
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Pamporovo are groomed daily

Shelter: 4.5

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Pamporovo is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 3.3

  • If snow conditions are poor at Pamporovo, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.3

  • Pamporovo usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 4.2

  • The staff at Pamporovo are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Pamporovo are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 3.9

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 4.5

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.3

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 4.7

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 4.5

  • No intermediate terrain at Pamporovo
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 3.7

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 3.3

  • Not even a kicker at Pamporovo
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 3.7

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Pamporovo
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 2.7

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Pamporovo has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 4.4

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 4.3

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 3.9

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 3.9

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.6

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.6

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 4.0

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 4.3

  • Overall, Pamporovo is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 4.5

  • Overall, Pamporovo is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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December 29, 2008
gwpter from Ski United Kingdom 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 Ski United Kingdom 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;)
November 10, 2008
roger from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Stayed at Prespa hotel: not bad at all. Food: ok and the view from the restauraunt stayed from the 5 Jan to 12 Jan 08. Snow conditions were very good. Our instructor was Mica, he was great, easy going and helpful. The bell sellers are a bit pushy so tell them see them at the end of the week. That works to get them off your case. Over all, very good place to go for beginners and intermediate skiers. Staying at new hotel in Jan 18th 09 so hope it is as good as 08.
March 20, 2008
Andrea & Martyn from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
23rd Feb We took a party of nine (5 beginners). We stayed at the Hotel Pamporovo. Had read really bad reviews prior to going but we had no problems at all. The rooms are really nice and clean, the staff were all polite and mostly friendly, the food was fine and not cold ever, as most reviews suggested. We had a fantastic instructor, Petya, and are all now hooked. The snow was dwindling by the end of the week but they do a brilliant job with the pistes. We have already booked for 2009. Can't wait to go back.
March 17, 2008
Denise from Ski France France
2 visits in 2008. We stayed at the Hotel Belmont: nice, quiet and out of town. The food was, as with most countries, luke warm, however, they now have put a microwave in the dining room which helps. This is our 4th time back to the resort and I have to say we love it, ok you're not guaranteed of the snow and it's not the most developed of ski resorts but we feel the brill instructors and friendly staff make up for all the negatives. We will be back.
March 16, 2008
Gary Curtis from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from a weeks snowboarding in Pamporovo, starting the 8th of March 2008. Location: Fabulous pine forests surround the resort and really are the highlight of the location. The actual resort is almost non-existent. Purpose built ski resort with little charm or character. The roads are shocking and the building work makes the whole place look like a building site covered in mud. Ski/Boarding: As I went late in the season I expected little snow and we didn't get much. Couple of days it had a few cms and it helped. They managed the slopes well and there are plenty of good runs. From the snow that was there I think they do a good job of keeping the slopes going. In full snowy conditions I could see this being a great resort for keen skiers or boarders. End of the week we were running on gravel, mud or hay in many places. Hotel: Stayed in the Hotel Pamporovo. Hotel is a slightly unreliable bus trip from the ski area. The actual hotel is large and very nice. Great sized rooms and fantastic views over the forests. Food was ok also. Problem: The shockingly rude staff. Paying your bill seemed to somehow upset them. Just being in their resort seemed to be of some major problem for them. Secondly: price. Everyone accepts that prices are higher in resorts but in Pamporovo prices are hiked as high or higher, in some cases, than the UK. This may be a cheap place to book a holiday but do not expect to stay cheaply. Almost every drink, meal or souvenir will be a rip off. Conclusion: Great boarding, lovely forests but ruined by poorly run resort and unmotivated rude locals.
March 12, 2008
chris sandercombe from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Trip was on 1/3/08 - 8/3/08. This was my first trip to Bulgaria, skiing, and we were a party of 6. Stayed at the Panorama Hotel which is out of the resort centre and in a building site. Debris and liquid mud on an unlit road was dodgy. All of the party dumped their snow boots at the end of the week. The hotel was pretty bad. No range of drinks, unhelpful staff and the food was cold/warm and not edible. Staying there you are trapped unless you use cabs who do try it on with charges. The skiing was poor due to the lack of snow and temperature. When it was possible to use the canons, a legal dispute with the lake water supply precluded this. The attitude of the staff and people is very hit or miss and can be quite rude at times. When skiing, we all want good conditions, if not it tends to focus our frustrations on other matters. We were not alone as generally the complaints from many in the resort were the same. As this place is very reliant on ski tourists they are, in my view, destroying the trade that supports them. What is evident is the number of building projects that are at a standstill and the reduction in flights and numbers of people staying in the hotels. I could never recommend this in comparison to other countries or resorts as it does not win any favours on price, skiing or its hospitality.
March 11, 2008
patrick from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We stayed at the Hotel Perelik for a week from March 1 to March 8, and we travelled with First Choice. The flights were delayed (and when I say delayed, we're talking 7 hours at Gatwick, and about 2-3 hours at Plodvik), but that is not First Choice's fault really. I blame ThomsonFly who did not have ANYONE who would take responsibility for the problem (just two brave souls at the airport who were taking a lot of flak, but claiming to only 'represent' First Choice on a contractual basis) On to the hotel, which was exceptionally hot, but we seemed to get the better deal when compared to Murgavets. We met a few people who stayed there who said the food was inedible. Perelik food was distinctly samey (spag bol mainly) but it was certainly edible and filled a hole. The rooms were large. We had three sharing, and enjoyed two balconies and a regular room cleaning service. It was the first resort I had been to, and snow was really running rather short. There were earthy parts to some runs, and the green run (tourist trail) was basically unuseable by the end of our stay. I did feel sorry for people arriving at the resort when we left as it desperately needed snow (snow that did not seem to be coming :() The best snow was found on the black runs (mainly due to the lack of people doing them) but the blue and red runs were passable. As I said, the green was pretty laughable by the time we had left. As for the Bulgarian people... the majority were very helpful and polite. There were a few who could have been a bit more helpful, but I know for a fact that the UK is just as bad, so it would be rather hypocritical of me to pick up on it. All in all, a fantastic holiday, and excellent value for money. The people we met were very friendly and there was a good atmosphere amongst holidaymakers throughout the resort.
March 10, 2008
Nick and Jen from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We stayed at the Pamporovo hotel for a week at the end of Feb 08. We were a bit cautious at first due to reading some bad reviews before we left. All these bad thoughts were gone as soon as we arrived at the hotel which is huge. The hotel itself is the heart of Pamporovo and when lit up at night it is quite spectacular. As for the food, that was all supposedly served cold - it was actually quite nice and not one meal was served cold. There were one or two bad points about the hotel - The worst being the rude staff that work in the mini shop in the hotel. They don't speak much English but were quite obnoxious and out of order. We went on quite a few excursions with our travel company and they were ok but maybe a bit expensive for what they are. Also, be wary of the massages that were over rated and not what is advertised. Overall the hotel is really nice and the rooms were spotless. We would definitely come back to this hotel and the resort in general. Cheers
February 05, 2008
Calumet from Ski Bulgaria Bulgaria
What a fab time. Stopped at the Pamporovo Forest Nook Villa second week in January 08 and had a ball (lovely villa, nice staff, quiet location). Flew into Plovdiv and it took 80 minutes to get to the villa door. Heard a few got caught up with fog heading towards Plovdiv airport and were directed to Sofia, we were lucky. Snow this year was great, especially on the reds. Food and drink still reasonable although up a bit on last year and nightlife was good. For food, be adventurous; we loved the sizzling platters of pork and chicken and Kavarma. Best of all was goats cheese cooked in honey, garlic and pine nuts. Did all the runs by the fifth day but plenty of stuff to do. Had a go on the skidoos and quad bikes (be careful on both of these). I would recommend Pamporovo to beginners, early intermediates and families. We will definitely go back again.