A Saturday in Borovets

A Saturday in Borovets

George Georgiev

The spring is on its way now and most of the people are on a shopping therapy during the weekend, because March is the sale month, when the new spring and summer collections come at the market. Although my girlfriend is recently on me for I have to renovate my wardrobe, I was not on her suggestion to fool me around the shops the whole Saturday. Instead of this I putted my snowboard equipment on, pushed the peeled board into the car and made my way to Borovets. %RIMG1After an hour drive I was in front of Rila Hotel and provided myself with a lift pass. My snowboard skills are similar to my nuclear physics knowledges so I chose the Sitnyakovo slope, because it is not crowded with people. The piste wasn’t definately overcrowded, but the slope was a little bit steeper than I could overcome. On top of that I was depressed by the presence of a group of British snowboarders. They assessed the piste as its true worth. Of course we became friends soon and we exchanged experience. Actually they passed on me their skills. But the best part of all was a girl from the snowboarders' company, who came to be a photographer. So we took out our cameras to frame the magnificent view. I wanted to try other slopes in Borovets, so I said “good bye” to my new friends and went down. %LIMG2When I was in front of Rila hotel again, a downhill competition for children was taking place at that moment. I was astonished by the young kids, who were "flying" on the training piste and I thought to myself that I may be started with the winter sports a little bit later. Anyway, most important for me is to have fun, so I took the Gondola lift to Yastrebets. It was my first time to climb up the peak and I needed a certain time to become aware of the situation. I was lost in astonishment by the white beauty that surrounded me. The marvelous peaks of Rila rose in front of me and when I turned back I saw the white peaks of Vitosha Mountain in the distance. I guess Samokov, Pancharevo and Sofia were somewhere in the lowlands but at that moment everything was wrapped in clouds and I was standing proudly above them. If I have to be honest, there were several hundred skiers and snowboarders around me but as if they weren’t there at the moment. %RIMG3I sailed with the board as I followed a special trajectory which I had traced in my mind preliminary. It included the most sloping parts of the tracks. While I was relaxing, I watched some daredevils who showed confidently that there was no place they couldn’t pass through and the marked routes were simply unnecessary. At last I took my way to the Apres Ski Bars, while limping slightly, but I had to get some food and of course drink the beer, I was so thirsty for. After this late lunch I was sitting on the bench blissfully and the sun was shining on me. I thought that at this moment I wasn’t thinking of anything. %LIMG4May be this is the state of mind which the Buddhists have called “Nirvana” or may be this is the best way to relax. I can’t give an expert opinion but the feeling was great. Meanwhile, I was having a chat in Bulgarian, English and Russian with different people from the tables around. All of them have the same expression of joint satisfaction. After the long break I took the lift down. Then I managed to enter the car as I pulled my slightly paintfull legs in, and took the way back to Sofia. %RIMG5In the evening I was sitting on the coach in front of the Tv set, with the remote control in my hand and with the lovely memories from this day in my mind. I had treated myself with contusion ointment and thus could feel the meaning of the phrase “sweet pain” completely. But this exact feeling was the one that made me repeat the great adventure next week as well. See previous photo report here!
     
  • 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
  • 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!!!
  • Brian mcvey From Scotland
    Sent on 20 February 2015
    Going to borovets for 2nd time this time with my son. Had a great time 4 years ago, now with park I expect it to be a lot better now and it was brill last time round. 20 days and counting
  • james From england
    Sent on 05 February 2015
    Lovely apartments bang on yasterbets slopes. Great spa and swimming pool and cheaper prices than borovets for food and beer. Best hotel and facilites in borovets
  • Matt B From UK
    Sent on 13 January 2015
    Love the regular updates now! 4 days and I'll be hurtling down here, probably face first...!!
  • Mandy From UK
    Sent on 06 January 2015
    Great website, very pleased to see its updated very frequently though the day, looking forward to skiing here I. Just over a week
  • KATE AND TURBO From SCOTLAND
    Sent on 28 October 2014
    great place to eat, drink,make new friends and to be treated like a member of the family!!!!!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 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.
  • Celia & Tim From Bristol UK
    Sent on 22 February 2014
    We love the Golden Horn! Brilliant bar and restaurant on the slopes. Staff are really friendly and work incredibly hard. A huge thank you to Michael, Milko & Mary for great hospitality. Look forward to seeing you next year. Take care and thank you!
  • elizabeth From united kingdom
    Sent on 20 February 2014
    We are at present staying in the iglika Palace hotel and when we booked the package i went to search , we where informed that we would be in a 3 star rated room , i am sorry to say this is not a 3 star hotel rating our room is more like a 2 . Staff have been terrible with us because of the argument over charging us for ski storage , this as to be a first, i totally dissagree , its so bad today we have had to go to the main office to sort this , we are the customer and to come back from a days sking and be met with verbal agression is disgusting. Please be aware the charge for ski storage is in the back of the Balkhn Brouchre p 38 and the cost is 2levi per person we will not be comming back to Bulgaria sorry
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