The Bulgarian winter resorts are preparing for 2005/06 ski season!

The Bulgarian winter resorts are preparing for 2005/06 ski season!

article by: Standart daily, *with excerpts,15.10.05

Bulgarian winter resorts are preparing for 2005/06 ski season! This winter tourists from Sweden will visit Bansko Bansko is about to welcome over 400 000 guests. Hotel near by hotel and between them hotel again. What is it? Thus local Bansko people are having fun with the construction works in the town. However the local authorities are in much harder position. The mayor Alexaner Kravarov made a program to stop the nonstop construction works of buildings, which offer apartments for sale or hotels. Among the most important things, which the mayor have to do urgently is the restriction of the number of floors and the density of the constructions. The main goal is to restrict the construction works to just 30% of the area of the property. We need more green sites, but unfortunately, I cant stop the construction works. The investors are protecting their rights in the court said Kravarov. It is high time that the government look towards the resorts. We need a special statute, and funds to help us. At the moment the total area of the constructions is 206 000 square meters. The price of the land reaches 150- 160 euro per square meter. The price of the residential apartments is between 900 and 1200euro. The municipal council made a decision to collect 4 BGN for each spread square meter construction. . The purls of the town are the five star Kempinski Grand Arena and hotel complex Tampelier. At least 2000 will be the new beds in the resort for the next season. An ice ring in the center will surprise the skaters. We are doing everything to provide full comfort to the tourists. We are waiting for new investments to take care of the problems with the draining system and the supply of fresh water, said Alexander Kravarov. Borovets A lot of tourists from Sweden and Finland are expected in the hotels in Borovets. The Scandinavians are impressed not only by the Bulgarian pistes, but also the warm mineral baths in Devin, Velingrad and Varshets. The Spa centers are very modern in the cold Scandinavian countries. This winter Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets will be visited mainly by tourists from Great Britain and Greece. There are even reservations from Japan and the Far East. According to the preliminary prognosis the rise of the tourists in Bulgaria for the next season will be 15%. Everyone in the resort is preparing for the start of the new season. The hotels are being polished, the construction workers are working 24 four hours seven days per week, to finish the new building till the first snow fall. Luxurious hotels, family villas and cozy pubs are growing in Bansko, Velingrad, and Smolyan. Two new pistes will welcome the e skiers in the Troyan Balkan. Our services are high quality- assured the brunchs representatives. New attractions and surprises are waiting everywhere. Ribaritsa will offer wild races with jeeps in the snow. Bansko and Borovets are betting on the winter horseback riding. New ski lifts and equipment will provide additional comfort for the ski lovers. Borovets is very attractive site for ski lovers and holidaymakers with its just 73 kilometers to Sofia. This year the preparations for the new season started long before the season itself. The pistes are being cleared and the lifts are being additionally checked, the equipment of the skiers is also being changed. The planned prophylactics will finish till the middle of November, announced Rosen Milkov, a manager of investment projects in Borosport. A new 10 kilometers long piste is now being constructed from Markudjik to Borovets in Tsarska Bistritsa. It will be used in special occasions if the lifts went out of order or the wind is too strong. The capacity of the lifts is 7000 people per hour, said Milkov. Tables with information for the weather conditions in the site are provided on each lift station. The old piste maintenance machines are also prepared for the new season. The most fashionable truck is the one which will be used for the maintenance of the traces for cross country skiing. This winter the resort will have two posts for radio relay communication. Thus there will be a non stop connection between the lifts and pistes in case of emergency or accidents. Borovets is divided in three parts- Sitniakovski, Yastrebishki and Markodgishki. The first part is little above the sea level and will start working around December, 10th when the first low temperatures are expected. Till December, 20th it will have a usable piste with artificial snow. The second zone offers steep alpine pistes, made for competitions and good skiers. After New Year usually this piste has enough snow and is ready to be used. The third part is higher above the sea level- 2500 meters and the snow is there till May. However before the snow falls the pistes have to be well prepared for the season. They are being drained to stop the erosion process. The areas around the lifts are going to be enlarged and the roads to them. Toilets and shelters will also be constructed close to the lift stations. The Mountain Rescue Service in the complex has eight saviors and during the winter they are hiring eight more. The prophylactic of the motor sleights and the emergency patrol has been done during the spring. The ski school in Borovets has 200 instructors, who speak foreign languages. Many of them are ex- professional skiers. The famous skier- Peter Popangelov explained- before the last season were changed and renewed all of the ski and snow boards, in the resort. There is a special kindergarten for children from 4-6, where they are being pampered from 10.00 till 16.00. The hotels are also preparing for the new season. Hotel Rila will be fully gasified this year. Attraction in the center of Velingrad This winter the super attraction of Velingrad will be the brand new Grand hotel Abir right in the center of the town. The five floored building with a super modern architecture already can boost with its first guests- most of the ambassadors of the Arab countries in Bulgaria. The stay in the hotel includes a transport to the nearby picturesque sites- Undola, where they can enjoy a ski piste and a ski school, Tsigov Chark resort, Dospat, Sarnitsa and Beglika. The hotel offers 24 hours room service, dry cleaning and hair dresser. The hosts are also happy that the swimming pools are supplied with the famous healing mineral water. Depending on its character it can be from 42 to 90 degrees Celsius. The tourists can also enjoy the most impressive karst spring in Bulgaria- Kleptuza Lake. Razlog is gaining speed Razlog is no longer in the shadow of Bansko and is slowly reaching its high investment levels. Every day the mayor of Razlog is dealing with offers for the construction of Hotels, parks and villa sites. However Tatarski is not in a hurry with the decisions. The main reason is that the interest towards the small mountain town is huge. Investors are paying a lot of money to buy land in the town and start construction of new sites. Others are buying houses in the nearby villages- Dobarsko, Gorno Draglishte, Banya and others. There is enough time for everything he says. If we dont plan everything there will be chaos just like in Bansko. A priority goal for the moment is the construction of a substation at the foot of Rila where not long ago was constructed a luxurious four star hotel Katariono spa. The e land around it is already sold so very soon new buildings will be constructed in the site. That is why we are obliged to provide a normal electricity system and communication. We do not want chaotic constructions with poor infrastructure. A firm from Sofia is ready to buy 100 decares land in Predela site for the construction of a five star Spa center, ethnographic street, villa site, tennis courts, apartments and parks. They guarantee an investment of 97 million BGN and they will need just three years for the full development of the site. The municipal council has made the decision to construct a five kilometer water- conduit to Betolovoto site, where a golf playground is now being constructed. The complex will take a total 1000 decares from the joint company Pirin Golf Holiday club of the municipal and the local firm, Balkanstroy. Constructors from UK are advising the project for the construction of the Golf terrain. The Playground will have 18 holes, artificial lakes, hills are also being constructed, special drains and grass form foreign countries are also being imported. Mini football stadium with volleyball playground, hippodrome, trade center, caf, restaurants, hotels with 3000 beds are about to be build. Next winter it will open. The tourist who come in the resort would definitely enjoy other sports and attractions. We are obliged to take care of their comfort, said Luben Tatarski. We also have to provide order and calmness for the guests and residents of the town, added he. He initiated the establishment of a municipal firm Guard activities. 15 people will work together with the local police department, to guarantee the preservation of the peoples possessions and the environment. The traces are also rendered safe Ulen Joint stock company, which is taking care of the ski center over Bansko, succeeded to render safe all of the pistes for the skiers. Safe nets are placed everywhere. This year new equipment is not constructed. All of the activities of the firm were headed to the restoration of the traces. They were cleared of stones and a special mixture of imported grass was sown on the terrains. We are using the services of the best experts in this branch. We are ready for the start of the new winter season. The guests of the ski center will be satisfied from what was done, announced the finance director of Ulen Maya Ignatova. Refreshing repairs in Pamporovo and Chepelare The mayor of Smolyan Dora Yankova issued an order to stop the construction works on the territory of the municipal. The deadline for the seizing of the construction works in two weeks. The clearance of the materials and the removal of the cranes have to finish till November 30th. The investors of the new hotels have to recon with the order, so that the winter season will start normally. The roads to the sites have to be cleaned and accessible. The buildings also need to be ready for the winter. It is still not clear whether Chepelare municipal will take the same preparation actions. The territory of Chepelare is mainly with new buildings which are still not finished. That is why Chepelare municipal has to arrange the clearing of the resort from snow and the roads to the resort. According to the assurance of the mayor Todor Bozukov his winter there wont be any problems with the roads of the municipal. A very serious firm will do this job. However problems with the parking lots are again expected to happen during the high season. Skiers and tourists will have to park their cars on the pavements and roads, commented specialists. Next year the problem with the parking lots is expected to be finished. Two new parking lots with enough capacity will be built next year. They will be situated in the resorts main bodies Studenets and Malina. The damaged pistes, due to the heavy rains and floods during the summer, are now being reconstructed and repaired. Pamporovo Joint stock company will invest in the recovery of the pistes and in the construction of two new pistes. The damaged pistes are covered in and leveled. They will also be widened. The hotels are performing the common refreshing repairs. The equipment and drugs will be prepared for prophylactics. Next year the municipal will offer 2556 new beds. This base will help for the development of rural eco and extreme tourism. The tendency is Pamporovo to become a whole year resort. The road infrustruction, demolished by the summer floods is now being reconstructed and repaired.
     
  • Mario Domínguez From España
    Sent on 23 December 2022
    I have received the best service imaginable, with great flexibility, I have never received such excellent attention as that received with this company
  • Ana Whitton From UK
    Sent on 06 March 2019
    I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email. We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied. The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels. We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags . Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isn’t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own. There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious. Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didn’t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners. We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car. The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent! Thank you all
  • Richard From England
    Sent on 10 February 2019
    Have just spent 5 nights at the hotel for the second year. Still same high standards. Had a after ski massage with Kateriua, spot on girl knows her stuff. Highly recommended her.
  • Tommyboy From Scotland
    Sent on 07 April 2018
    5th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste. Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis. I am sure we will be back in the future.
  • Mitko From Bulgaria
    Sent on 28 February 2018
    Dear all, Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents. The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago. So be careful when skiing in Borovets!
  • Lene willsea From N.i
    Sent on 28 February 2018
    I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs.
  • Neo From United Kingdom
    Sent on 15 February 2018
    The hotel it’s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging. There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor. Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm. Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... won’t even go to details about the rest of the food. As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant aren’t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the ?free’ word. There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. It’s main let down it’s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude.
  • Nigel Buckle From United Kingdom
    Sent on 17 December 2017
    I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'. A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design. The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district. As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley. Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular. In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself !
  • Liz From England
    Sent on 19 November 2017
    I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasn’t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didn’t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018.
  • val From United Kingdom
    Sent on 15 February 2017
    group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx
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