Горные лыжи в Пампорово Alpine skiing in Pamporovo

For the first time, a family (3 adults + 1 child) decided to dedicate their winter vacation to skiing. The choice was stopped on Bulgaria, as an inexpensive and Russian-speaking country. Air tickets from Moscow to Sofia were bought with a bank card through www. tripsta. ru (some Greek operator). On November 23, they bought three tickets for 14.000 rubles, and on November 27 they bought one ticket for 19.000 rubles. In addition, there were no more tickets to Plovdiv Airport, which was more convenient for us.
Therefore, the very first advice: buy tickets as early as possible and follow the price dynamics. Although the resort saw cars with Moscow numbers. But this is 2500 km one way, savings from 3 people in one car, a visa to Romania and gasoline in other countries for 50-55 rubles. Flying with Bulgarian Airlines. Old planes, you push your knees and you can't straighten your legs. They are fed with a sandwich and a glass of liquid of your choice. But to fly 2.5 hours and did not notice any discomfort. On the return flight, we bought a bottle of water with us and took our own sandwiches.
The transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo was ordered via the Internet: DND Sofia, ofis@transport-bg. net, +359888325574, they speak Russian. There are no complaints. The cost for one way is 95 euros. For comparison: an official taxi at the airport will cost 180 euros, and private traders 130 euros. You can take a taxi from Pomporovo k. bukovinov@abv. bg, +359887269619, for 100 euros. The distance of 240 km was overcome in 3-3.5 hours. There are no traffic jams. Mountain serpentine is very decent and safe.

From 03.01. 13 to 01/11/13 rested at the Grand Monastir Apartaments hotel, Pamporovo district. Pamporovo is a very small resort town, not a settlement - hotels, restaurants and a couple of shops. Ski slopes go from the top of Mount Snezhanka. The hotel was chosen and booked on www. booking. com. The hotel is located 2-3 km from Pomporovo itself, but 100m from the main ski lift to the ski mountain Snezhanka. It's very convenient, you don't have to wait for the bus, you can lie in your room for an hour at lunchtime. The room has tiled floors and is very cold, take slippers or warm socks with you. There was one Russian program on TV, we took a flash drive with films with us (there is a problem with sockets, take one tee). Heaters electric wall, burn out oxygen. If their fan works, then it is not possible to sleep, it is noisy. When turned off, it's cold. Get the kids pajamas. The kitchen in the room is quite decent, with a microwave. Shower, hot water. Fireplace, but firewood for money. The staff is friendly, they speak Russian. There is a very nice swimming pool + sauna. The sauna is only 75 degrees, but it's nice to sit and chat with other vacationers in the evening. Entrance fee, 10 euros per person. If you do massages there, then the sauna and pool are free. The cost of a massage is 55-70 euros, which is twice as expensive as in Moscow. Do not order a massage in the hammam and from a man, complete nonsense. Thai and Balinese massages are good. And also Bulgarian Diana, Diana-balkanjilva@abv. bg, +359897286671, studied for six months as a sports and medical massage therapist and has more than 7 years of experience. But he says that the last season works there. Massage only in rooms. There is bowling, after 17.00 5 euros per person for one game, and billiards is also paid. In general, I liked the hotel.
Nutrition. We bought cereals, eggs, etc. in the store, ate in the room in the morning. The hotel restaurant offers breakfast for 5 euros. Complete nonsense. We ate right at the ski lifts. There are several restaurants with excellent cuisine. We ate at the Terrace restaurant. Several types of soup, salads, dozens of second courses, etc. Delicious. We ordered a full soup and one salad for four, portions are not small, delicious tortillas with cheese and garlic and homemade wine. About 4-5 euros per person. You can enter in ski clothes. Dinner was ordered right there in plastic boxes, warmed up in the room in the microwave. Near the evening restaurant "Mekhana". I didn't like it very much. The food is not the best, 10-12 euros per person, we waited for half an hour, in the end they cheated us for 240 rubles. The hotel can arrange a free taxi back and forth to Pamporovo restaurants. There were several. Very tasty, varied, live music, "lick" the client, but the price is already under 20 euros per person with wine. I recommend Chevermeto and Gloria Maar. They didn't get into Balata Kyts. On the ski slope you can always drink hot tea for 1 euro. Further, 1.95 left will be equal to 1 euro.
Lifts. It is possible for half a day: before 12.30 and after. All day: 50 lev for adults and 30 lev for children. If more days, then cheaper. For comparison - an adult immediately for 5 days 225 left. The busiest is the Malinka lift, which is at the very end of the green route No. 6. The freest and best one is at the end of the blue highway "Stroikite 1 and 2". Be careful with gloves, phones and sticks. Fly away, you will not find in the snow.
Tracks. There is no correct scheme on the Internet. The most similar is http://yestoskiing. ru/static/media/uploads/maps/bulgaria__pamporovo.jpg. The main one for beginners is green No. 6 with some branches. From it it is convenient to move out to the blue No. 1 (red in the diagram) and red No. 13. By the way, number 1 has a good free lift. One of the best runs is red 2-10 on the diagram. Good red 11 then 4-12-5. But she goes to Malinka, where she may have to stand on the lift for half an hour. There is no Stroykite on the diagram. There are signs on the mountain. These are the best blue runs, red in some places. But be careful, at the end there are really black sections of 100-150m. Not marked on the diagram. Inexperienced slide "on the belly. " There is a 25 km running track, but I have not been there. Friends respond chic, an idyll with nature for a walk, met deer, hares and squirrels. Just be careful with an accident when crossing a cross-country track with a ski track. On Snezhanka, you should not go to the observation tower. From an adult 5 leva, from a child 3 leva. And the view is like from a ski lift or worse, and the wind. Maybe more beautiful in summer.

Ski kit rental. 25 leva for an adult for a day (poles, skis, boots) and 15 leva for a child. From the hotel 20% discount, the Bulgarians consider how to divide by 1.2. Tried to argue, and then waved. They have salaries of 200 euros, even if they earn a little during the season. Glasses will have to be bought. Good French for 75-90 left. Helmets are not needed. Wind masks 25 left will be needed. If you decide to buy a ski kit, then a good one will cost 30-40 thousand rubles. Payback 12-15 years compared to vacation rentals. Plus surcharge on the plane and the general fuss. Think for yourself.
Trainer. I saw groups where everyone is waiting for one fallen person, etc. Therefore, we decided to hire individually for the family. Per person: 1 hour 45 lev, 2 hours 80 lev, 3 hours 114 lev. A little cheaper for two or three. Plus a 20% discount from the hotel. We had three different coaches. I recommend one. Experience 35 years. In non-resort time, he works at a school. A very kind, considerate person. My daughter (21 years old) and I started skiing for the first time. On the third day we went down the red track. The youngest is 9 years old. Every day I worked out with a trainer for several hours. In the end, I even went down the black section. Grigory - Grisha. sm78@gmil. com, grisha_sm@abv. bg, mob 0882070930.
Other. Take extended insurance Reso. People really break down. With other insurance companies, they say there are problems. Dog sledding is a very short run, literally 5 minutes. I recommend taking a photo on the track, they do it very well for 10 left. I saw someone filmed on camera, right on the descent, but this needs to be recognized. There is nothing to do in Smolyany and Chepelare. Mountain villages with one shop. The nearest city for the excursion is Plovdiv. Rent a car with chains. You can withdraw money from the card right under the Terrace restaurant, without commission. Nowhere else. In Pamporovo, in a store in an exchanger, we were charged an 8% commission. Save the purchase of souvenirs for duty free, there is a good small shop at Sofia airport. Or Plovdiv. In the restaurant "Terrace" you can buy homemade wine with honey or liquor, very tasty. Be careful - there are huge icicles everywhere !!
Hotel advertisement. There are no shops in the hotel, the only grocery minimarket is in the next building. Table tennis was not observed. Fitness center - I even have better at home. Wifi at the reception is free and excellent, not in the rooms. Not all luxury apartments, we obviously did not get into such. Last year in the UAE we rested in a 7 * hotel, so there is something to compare with. Bowling with three lanes. There is no ATM in the hotel. Haven't heard of a striptease bar.