Winter tale in Pamporovo

Winter tale in Pamporovo

George Georgiev

It was February winter evening in the pretty Rodopean town Chepelare. The snow was falling gently on the cold ground and I was extremely happy because I imagined the rounded peaks of Rodope Mountain, covered with snow and the ski pistes of the magnificent resort Pamporovo, full of skiers. I checked in the hotel and I went in my room waiting anxiously for the next day. And the morning was just what I wanted to be. I was wakened by the sun, whose beams had managed to make their way through the window of my room. I dressed myself quickly and I made my way to Pamporovo. %RIMG1After 10 minutes of driving I reached the resort and took the lift from Lift Station I to Studenets. The snow bounded slopes, Snezhanka peak and the TV tower revealed in front of me while I was rising up on the lift seat. When I reached Studenets I thought that the Babel was taking place for second time in history not only because of the great number of people but also because of the great variety of languages that I heard all around me. However the crowd did not annoy me but gave me a positive energy and a good mood. People were happy on their way to the lift seats carrying their equipment or sitting at the aprs ski bars with the sun shining on them. There was a dog sledge, waiting for those who want to rush on the snow like the gold diggers in Alaska. But right at that moment the dogs were basking lazily on the sun, paying no attention to the people around. %LIMG2After I spend enough time in the region of Studenets station I took the lift up to Snezhanka peak. Although I prefer mountain biking, rather than skiing or snowboarding I felt the atmosphere on the run and the emotions of the flying, falling and rolling winter sports lovers from the height of the lift seat. But the real magic came when I reached the top. The TV tower was razing beside me and in front of me Podope Mountain revealed its incredible beauty. Тhe sky and the mountain hills were fusing in the distance and the white clouds were roaming gently in the sky. There were groups of entry level skiers and the ski instructors passed on them their experience. %RIMG3This was the starting point of my great walk. I couldnt see enough of the view which was beyond description and I took a great number of pictures to keep it forever. I roamed around the ridge of the hill for hours and I was watching the skiers and the snowboarders. Some of them were downhilling while others were relaxing lying on the snow like on a beach or eating at the Aprs ski bars and after that taking their equipment back up on the slopes. %LIMG4From time to time wild freeriders appeared from the trees and vanished in the wood again. The feeling was incredible. The atmosphere was a strange mixture of strong emotion and absolute harmony. I have no idea how much time I had spend on the plateau-shaped peak but the sun was almost setting when I came out of my trance. It was time to go back but I still couldnt leave this magnetic site. So I decided not to take lift down but to descent on foot. It took me about an hour to reach Studenets station, but the numerous splendid views left me breathless and time passed imperceptivity fast. %RIMG5Thats how my day in Pamporovo ended. I have to admit that this was my first visit to the mountain resort but certainly it wont be the last one. Those of you who had already been there know why and the others must not lose time, because Pamporovo is great.
     
  • 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.
  • Lasse WP From Denmark
    Sent on 15 February 2015
    We just had a wonderful trip to Pamporovo. We were a group of 10 adults, and 3 small children (1 to 3 years old), who stayed at the Castle complex, in 4 apartments, for a week (7 days stay, 6 days skiing) Everything at the Castle was great, and the staff was very forthcoming and helpful in every way. The apartments were very practical, and equipped with all necessities. Not luxurious, but really good and adequate in size and layout. You should note though, that towels are not changed every day. Towels are not needed to bring to the spa area and treatments. The food at the Excalibur restaurant was typical for the area, and well prepared. The staff at the restaurant is also great. The Castle complex is situated 2-3 km. from Ski center 2 (Malina). It is of course easiest if you are driving, but there are shuttles from the hotel to the ski center and lift. Ski in-/out is possible at the backside of the complex. We had booked ski- and snowboard packages, and that worked out perfectly as well. The snowboard instructor was a true professional. Patient and very focused on making sure that all of us learned the moves, at our own individual pace. Everyone had a great time, and learned a lot. The area was perfect for us, as we are all beginners on snowboards. Had we been on skies, I suspect the terrain would not be challenging enough for an entire week. We can definitely recommend Pamporovo, and the Castle complex, and will be back next year.
  • kostisx From greece
    Sent on 18 January 2015
    ?αυμάσιο χιονοδρομικό κέντρο. Έρχομαι εδώ και 3 χρόνια κάθε χρόνο. Πολύ καλή σχολή σκι, πολύ περιποιημένες οι πίστες , οικονομικές τιμές, ανάλογες με την ευρωπαϊκή κρίση. Κατηφόρες για όλα τα γούστα και με πολλά λιφτ χωρίς πολλές πολλές ουρές. Δεν είναι εκείνο το κακό που γίνεται στο Μπάνσκο με την γόνδολα κάθε πρωϊ τις ατελείωτες ουρές και τις παρατημένες πίστες όλο πέτρα που καταστρέφεις τα σκι σου και κινδυνεύεις να τραυματιστείς. Το συνιστώ σε κάθε σκιέρ που θέλει να ευχαριστηθεί το χιόνι..
  • Our Nige From England
    Sent on 06 January 2015
    I'm going back to Pamporovo soon for the fifth time, what you have to remember with all ski resorts is that the weather is a gamble and you cannot guarantee good snow ! The first time I went there it was snow all the way from Sofia and so deep at the resort you had great skiing and more snow came almost nightly, the next time there was no snow in sight until you got up into the village and even then it was poor , however up the piste it was as good as they could get it with the help of snow cannons and although not all the slopes were open you had reasonable skiing on what was usable. Don't write-off a resort based on one poor season study the weather reports and see when the snow is at its best then try it again. Personally I have had some brilliant skiing at all the Bulgarian resorts and also poor snow at each too but with the effort put in by the slope dressers and the warmth of the locals you normally get a good time ! And its a lot cheaper than Austria !
  • Dobo From united kingdom
    Sent on 06 January 2015
    Fantastic views of Pampi, can,t wait to be back on the 17th
  • Jnet From UK
    Sent on 06 January 2014
    Just had a brilliant week's skiing (and walking) in Pamporovo - the sun shone every day, there was plenty of snow, the pistes were well groomed and, as always, the restaurants and staff were friendly and welcoming. If you've been before you'll know how great Pamporovo and Bulgaria are and if it's your first time you'll be pleasantly surprised! In our opinion - best hot chocolate - Panorama Terrace Bar at the mid station, THE best spit roast chicken - The Lodge at the top (get there early!), best wild mushroom soup - the little restaurant to the left of the six person ski lift at the top, best home cured ham - Ochko's at the top and best overall friendly welcome, hot wine and pizza - Brothers! (If you can make it down into Smolyan town for an evening, the prices are even cheaper and a huge meal at the Pamporovata Kushta, on the left half way down the main street, will only set you back around £6 a head including drinks.)
  • KC Johan From UK
    Sent on 29 November 2013
    Pamporovo looks good now:) I'll be there December 20th:)
  • sandy From greece
    Sent on 30 January 2013
    we staye in Pamporovo 2013 took our 3 kids to pamparovo and we loved it they went skiing for the 1st time the instructor we got for them was from the mirone ski school his name was Angelo and the guy who sorted the kids out for their boots and ski's was george they were great and really professional, the resort was great it snowed for 2 days solid, just a pity we had to come home, everything up there was amazing there is some where to eat or get a drink, our kids are only small, but the other piste's were really busy and just seeing the amount of people coming down was great, we had a great time the kids loved it i really can not say 1 bad thing about Pamporovo even Forest Nook where we stayed was amazing the chalet which belonged to a lady called Diane chalet 7 was beautiful will be going again next year no doubt ,
  • kaz From Ireland
    Sent on 29 January 2013
    here come the Irish on Sunday!
  • Lori From Belfast
    Sent on 28 January 2013
    Coming here on 3rd Feb 2013 for the 12th year in a row! cannot wait, would highly recommend Bulgaria to anyone!
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