The new ski season in Borovets (29 December 2001)

The new ski season in Borovets (29 December 2001)

Article and photos by Mr. BulgariaSki

Saturday 29 December 2002. Good snow cover in Borovets. The sun is shining. It's a perfect day for skiing at the resort. I am approaching Borovets, planning to see how the new season is going and of course to take new pictures for all visitors of BulgariaSki.com It seems that today the resorts is extremely busy, although. A police patrol is stopping all cars of local skiers going to the resort. Only those with reservation for the hotels are allowed to enter. The other people are asked to leave their vehicles at the nearby parking lot and go to the lift stations walking. It's very rare, but this happens sometimes in Borovets, although the resort has enough parking spaces where skiers or snowboarders can leave their cars at hourly charge of around 1 leva (0,50 $). One of the good ones is the parking lot behind Rila hotel where the hourly charge is 0.60 leva (0.30 $). Reaching Rila hotel, where the centre of the resort is, I notice that it's kind of skiing holiday today. As I said, sun is shining, almost no clouds, temperature is -1?C, skiing conditions have been quite good over the last week and it's the same today. In front of Rila it's full of new cafes, take-aways, pubs and small restaurants with benches outside. Tired skiers are resting on tables and chairs put directly on the snow, eating kebabs (think this is the most famous fast food here at the price of 4 leva (2 $) for 1) or drinking tea. It's full of skiers, snowboarders, parents with kids and dogs, small horses (ponies), ski-doos (here they are expensive 50 leva for half hour). Busy small shops are everywhere, offering mostly skiers clothing (sometimes fake) and any gear one might need on the slopes. On the nursery slope instructors are teaching the beginners who will soon take the 100 m long nursery lift to ski for first time. the more advanced are getting on the triple lift going higher in the mountain. This year Borovets has more new shops, small restaurants, bars. And especially currency exchange offices... They are on every corner. Everyone promising the 'best rate' and 'no commission'. Many foreign skiers are worried where and how they can exchange their money for the local currency leva. Well they should not be worried at all. This industry is now very well developed in Borovets. Looking at the rates of exchange (they are very good) I understand that the competition is big, so the rates are competitive. For example I see that they give 3.12 leva for 1 GB Pound. But this morning in Sofia the highest rate was only 3.05! So, all British skiers, don't bring dollars, bring pounds here. I would recommend you just look for the sign with big letters "NO COMMISSION". Then you can compare between the rates of the different exchange offices to find the best one. The busy shopping street in front of Rila hotel is full of small shops for everything - ski gear, cigarettes, food, alcohol, souvenirs, cheap CD's (well the CDs are not that cheap anymore, cost 6 $ each). Waiters from the restaurants around stay on the street and invite people to go inside and be their guests. Later I found some small supermarkets (in the Rila shopping centre) where one can buy any food or drinks on very reasonable price. The shops for skiing and snowboarding gear sell anything from the famous brands (sometimes fake), but in general the prices are higher than those in the capital Sofia. But, I know that the prices in Borovets are lower than those in the countries of Western Europe, so many skiers find it better to buy their gear from Borovets. Last years it is getting more and more difficult for the sellers of cheap (pirate) CD's. Few year sago they were everywhere on the street, but now the police is chasing them, and the penalty is big. However, these shops still offer them 'under the desk'. The price of the CD's is 6 $ for one, or you can buy 5 and get 1 free. Further down I reach the Buzz Bar (now called the London Buzz Bar), which is the favourite place for the British skiers. They now promote watching of live football matches from the English premier league on Sky digital. On the street I meet 3 English guys who I know from before. They say that liked the Buzz Bar, but mostly preferred the White Magic Bar (it's on the same street), owned by famous Bulgarian skier from the past. They liked it there because of the good prices and free drinks. I promise to go there next time. The same guys are staying at Rila hotel studios, so I ask them how they find it. They say that studios are good because they are quite big, have balcony and are very warm (even more than needed). They also liked the food in the hotel. They don't like that the swimming pool is not free to the guests of the hotel, and those who want to swim are asked to pay 12 leva (4 GB Pounds). Hopefully next year this pool will be free to those staying in the hotel, like Samokov hotel pool is. I ask them what they mostly like of Borovets and they say that they like the reasonable prices and the fact that most of the hotels, shops, lifts, ski runs, bars, restaurants and other elements of the resort infrastructure are concentrated one area, so there is no need to use transport inside the resort. So if I have to summarise my impressions of the new season in Borovets, I would say that today this resort is a good example of what the market economy does for the consumers. Good service and reasonable prices.
     
  • Charlotte Hennessy From england
    Sent on 23 February 2015
    WOW, thats all i can say about the previous week of my life. The snow conditions were amazing and the people were so friendly. The night life was always active and the rila hotel was especially fantastic. I loved the accommodation at the rila and i loved the way it is right on the slope. I wouldn't have changed a thing about the holiday and i would recommend this resort to everyone including beginners and experts. Overall, i had an amazing time!!!
  • brownie From wales
    Sent on 02 March 2014
    Just returned from our first ski trip took a 6 day beginner course and our instructor was galia. She was such a lovely person and all the group enjoyed the week . The snow wasn't great but it was fine for us to learn upon.stayed at the hotel rila it is a 3star hotel but I must say the staff are awesome. It can be noisy if you are located in the studios as they face the street .people do party till the early hours and can be heard .if they can sort that out it would be even better I wonder what the police are doing .will return next year depending on snowfall.balkan holidays are a good to go with everthing was organise very well. the bulgarian people are extremely friendly. The chilli in bj's is worth a go.
  • terryhusher From England
    Sent on 08 January 2014
    I am having a wonderful time in Borovets. We are spending lots of time in The White Magic. Christo, Janet, Lora and Val are looking after us with Amazing Food and Drink and fun times. Jools and Mickey are top people, so glad to meet them. Thank you White Magic you are all magic x
  • Jools and Mickey From UK
    Sent on 31 December 2013
    On our way to Borovets on Saturday 4th. We are really looking forward to another week of skiing and socialising. Happy New Year to everyone who is out there.. let it Snow , let it snow let it snow! P.S just bought ski helmets ....makes sense! Get well soon Mr Schumacher we are thinking of you!
  • Steph From MALTA
    Sent on 04 March 2013
    Hi, we are arriving in Borovets on Friday 8th March 2013, how are the weather conditions? i've seen rain on some of the sites does that mean the slopes are going to be icy?
  • John & Julie From uk
    Sent on 10 January 2013
    Only a week to go and Borovets here we come..... Did complain earlier about the web cams not updating but hey they are working great now, snows looking good, can't wait to get back there and see all our friends.. Will be in my favourite bar (Bar Sunski) having a beer very soon....
  • Kimberley Walker From England
    Sent on 06 January 2013
    yes that's true. Best place is Nick's chalet. We had an absolutely fantastic time there. My family and I are definitely coming back!!
  • a group of 16 people from Manchester From England
    Sent on 29 October 2012
    Best place in Borovets is definitely Nick's chalet - Four Seasons. Trust me, we've been to many places but I haven't seen such a great chalet .It's so clean and breakfast is out of this world. Nick and Mariana will always help you. Nick organizes ski equipment, ski school (he's a very patient ski instructor)Restaurants around the chalet are much better and cheaper than those in Borovets. We are definitely coming back
  • Audrey Bonnici From Malta
    Sent on 27 March 2012
    Dear all, I m maltese and I visited Borovets last week in mid March 12. We stayed in Samakov hotel and we have very nice memories both in the hotel and in the skii resort... George is a very good skii tutor and he helped us all.. I would recommend skiing in borovetz and i wish to go there again soon.. aud
  • rayshaza From uk
    Sent on 26 February 2012
    just back from first ski holiday in borovets.had great time with great snow and scenery.our nine yr old son had an amazing time skiing same slopes as us in his lessons.sadly our five yr old daughter didnt have same experience.borosports (main ski school) only start lessons from 7yr so we had booked her into ski kindergarten,which for an aware 5 1/2yr old isnt ideal.we did get a private lesson for her and she was away,snow ploughing down the greens without a bother. otherwise great experience.Oh one other tip,make sure you take small domination in lev as the restaurants love to round things up and say they dont have change!!
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