 Poster: A snowHead
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My wife's work colleagues are planning a trip to Pamporovo,March 06.I've yet to see the itinerary but;flying out of Birmingham,H/B at the Hotel Rozhen,weeks stay,all in(min of 8)for £190!!!!!!!The only extra I'm told will be lift passes.Now that is cheap???????
Questions:I've looked at the piste map,have to say it looks very limited.The food has a very dodgy reputation?Is it a question of avoiding the hotel and eating out all week?It might be cheap,but who wants to waste a weeks skiing,not me!We've all got our own kit,so hire is not an issue.I'm not sold on the idea(nor my son)but are we biased?Thoughts anyone.
PS-wife,and colleagues,all work in the catering dept of a leading Public School;1/2 of them are chefs.Probably explains why none of them are wary of Bulgarian food 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Manda, just for context.. have you been ?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I have been to Pamporovo and had better confess to a soft spot for Bulgaria by way of a bias. There is really only one hill to ski on and the runs are not extensive. There is a nice blue through trees on the far side of the mountain and a red/black that is quite steep down the front. There are some nice trails through the trees and a road to ski down that is often busy and icy. I would say skiing wise it is really only suitable for a first or maybe second weeker.
The food is OK. Better than Russian food but that isn't saying much. Most people take the ski and boot hire/lift pass/instruction package for around £100. Now that is seriously cheap if you are trying it for the first time and the instructors really look after you.
On that basis it's great. Does that fit with what you wantsnowskisnow, ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Forget Pamporovo and try Bansko instead, the ski domain is larger and there are something like 350 ish (I know a mind bogling figure and I was/still am slightly skeptical!) Mehanas (restaurants) in town. Was there a week or so ago and a meal (starter+ main)+ beers came to something like £14 !!!!!!! and it was B*&^%$y gorgeous to ! Well theres my 2 pennies worth !
Rich
p.s Just re-read my post forgot to say the £14 was for 4 of us in total !!!!!
p.p.s Including tip !
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Type23, I was considering Bansko for next season. Frankly, it is the only place in east europe I would consider:
which tour operator did you go with?
where did you stay?
is there much for advanced skiers? off-piste?
They say the lift system is pretty modern, but that the town itself is a bit undeveloped? Is this your impression?
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Chris Bish,have to confess that the whole scenario does not fit with me at all.I'm trying not to be biased,having never been near Bulgaria,but nothing I have read has 'plucked my string' as yet As me dad used to say "ya gets what yer pays for"
Having 'googled' around,the constant theme is cheap.Cheap beer,spirits,fags,mountain facilities and general outlook.That's OK by me,so long as the skiing is reasonable.As all of 'my lot' are reasonably competent,that's in doubt?All of my wife's colleagues are indeed 'one to two week' skiers,plus a possible complete beginner.For them,Pamporovo may well be a good choice;but we passed that stage a few years ago.And as I no longer yearn to 'blow' my brains out on every ski trip,I'll pass on the £1 a bottle vodka 
Manda,if you can get me a guaranteed,£190 all in deal in a French alpine resort,go for it.I'll tip you £20 for your trouble.Times 8=£160 for nothing,easy money 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| ise wrote: |
| Manda, just for context.. have you been ? |
ise, you're surely not suggesting Manda is ... retentive? 
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laundryman,don't think there's any worries on that score;a pile of it was let loose up above
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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ice,
Travelled independently, stayed in B&B. Loads of off piste with a guide possible. Plenty of Skiing for all levels of ability. Village/town is extremely quaint and not so in the “dark ages” as you would imagine. Cheap certainly, but also good value for money + just something different to Skiing in a major European destination e.g France, Austria etc. Don’t get me wrong it can’t compare with Val D or St Anton but is a totally different kettle of fish and well worth a visit in my opinion. Ideally suited to a group skiing holiday!
Rgds
Rich
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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snowskisnow, wait till the EOSB and speak to Janet. She has been twice in recent years and swears by it.
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I've been actually, but it was 23 years ago and where I learnt to ski. It all looked pretty big to a young novice skier 
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
Easy to get £190 deals for a much better set-up
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Manda, have you ever tried booking a last minute cheapie for a party of 8?? It is hard enough with a party of 4, unless you have little preference for airport/resort/accomodation standard etc etc.....
I don't remember ever seeing a last minute ski-hol for 8 advertised anywhere.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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snowskisnow, Another point about Pamporovo in March is how far south it is and how warm it could be. It was 20+ degrees in february last time I went. You are in the Rhodope Mountains and close to the Greek border. It could be very icy/slushy by March. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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the ice perv, not quite. I've phoned for a party of 2, and was offered a damn cheap prices in a chalet that not only slept 8 but the remaining rooms were vacant at the time I phoned. Try phoning the TOs direct, or read their cheap pages judiciously. Having spent a fair amount of time in TO accomodation I've learned that there's generally (as long as you don't try for peak weeks) at least a few chalets in the budget range lying fallow in each of a TO's large French resort bases a few weeks up until departure. And/or the same position with half their clubhotels. Sometimes you might need to split the group, but sometimes that's a bonus depending on how well the group gets on!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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snowskisnow, I've heard that there is quite a lot of off piste in Pamporovo, but you would need a private guide to show you. You might have to walk a bit or bribe thw piste machine drivers (that's what my pal did). Just reading this thread though, it seems as though Bansko would be a better bet. Had you thought about Slovenia? Much more modern (I think) and the Slovenian instructors I've seen training here all seem right up to standard.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Please dont disregard Bulgaria. Having lived in Bansko now for 2 years I may be qualified to answer some of your queries. There are reportedly upwards of 350 Mexanas (restaurants) in Bansko (far too many to have tried them or indeed found them all) most of which serve great food from a very varied menu. All food is cooked fresh, we have never as yet had any cause for complaint.
Bansko at present (the town) is undergoing massive development with many new hotels and apartment blocks being constructed ready for the influx of the european skiers which are finding their way here in greater numbers year on year.
On the ski front. 2 years ago Bansko had just 15 kms of piste, now 2 years on it has 65kms and there are plans to further develope these, rumour has it to link the next (very small) resort. This would result in a 2nd gondola being installed which when completed would more or less triple the existing area. All (except 1) chair lifts and the gondola are new withn the last 2 years and most are high speed. Most lifts in the resort are chairs with just 4 drag lifts so access to all slopes is very easy. The slopes themselves are great, with slopes to suit all abilities its a great resort for a mixed level group. There is a fun park and this coming season should see the opening of the half-pipe. There is also limitless off-piste for the skiers/ boarders.
On the snow front.. Bansko is the most snow sure of all the bUlgarian resorts which usually means we have the most snow too. This year was no exception either. For most of the season we boasted at least 2 metres of fresh powder it was fantastic.. Every day was better than the 1 before. I actually boarded for the last time this season on April 24th and there had been a foot of fresh snow at the top to make this day really memorable for me. ( Nothing like finishing the season on a real high).
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