Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Help - I am getting worried! Have booked Feb half term into Hotel Olymp, Borovets (Balkan Holidays) which was the cheapest deal I could find - maybe that wasn't such a good idea as nobody ever mentions this hotel on the discussion board!?! I have skiid a couple of times before so have booked into an intermediate class but my husband and 2 children have never skiid. My younger daughter is 11 and a half - will she be put in a class by herself, or can she ski in the same group as her dad and 14 year old sister? She will be too scared to ski with strangers by herself. Also, brochure says if you have size 11 feet then take your own boots. We can't afford to buy boots for my husband - is it really a problem getting size 11 boots at the ski hire place? Or does he need a size 12 - can't remember with ski boots if you have to go up a size. Sorry so many queries but am beginning to wonder whether my insisting on a family skiing holiday is such a good idea!! Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi,

Been to Borovets the last two years and going back on Jan 17th. I'd not skiied before year 1 and had a great time. Also went with Balkan last time and it went ok. I take size 10.5-11 shoes and didn't have a problem with boots the last 2 years. If your not happy with boots first day ask to change when they are a bit less hectic. My first year there was a family in my beginers group including adults, teenagers and a boy (maybe 10).

I've not been to the Olymp (used Lion and Iglika plus Flora this year). My personal advice is think of it as a bed for the night and if the food is ok it's a bonus. At the hotels I have used there is usually something at breakfast and dinner that's ok (sometimes nice). I ended up eating out quite a lot anyway which was usually good. If you are on a tight budget the small supermarket on the walk through from front to back of the Rila sells nice rolls and other food/drink for not much by UK standards.

I have kids (although I ski with my brother) and I guess you may want to shop around a bit in the evening to find a bar that seems suitable. I like the Titanic (near bottom of nursery slope). Local beer and spirits are best value.

Borovets is not perfect but if you focus on all the positive stuff and laugh off some of the things that are less than ideal, I think it's a lot of fun at a reasonable price.

Hi Olymp is a little further oy than moct of the hotels mentioned, though not far, as for ski school dont worry as she can be with your husband and they will have a fantastic time, as for boots i am a size 11 and never had a problem, i felt the same when Balkan say they may be a problem, i have been with Balkan and Inghams and neither had a problem with large boots, the do also have size 12s so you should be ok.
Dont worry and go and enjoy yourself. If you are on a budget you are probably wiser to eat in the resort at lunchtime as it is cheaper and better quality than up the top.
Hope this helps

Hi everybody - thanks so much for all your replies - greatly appreciated. Phew - I am feeling a lot more confident now! The whole holiday will be a bit of a challenge as the girls have only ever been abroad to family in Australia before - a far cry from skiing in Bulgaria - but hey, what an experience they're going to have. This sounds like its going to be a holiday to remember in more ways than one! I'm really pleased I discovered this message board - some really useful info on other posts and some great replies for me! Thanks!