Bulgaria Ski discussion board

My son went to this from age 5 -7. It is at the top of the gondola run by two BG girls who have been there all the time I have been there.

It consists of indoor play in the mornings - games, DVDs, painting, drawing and so on and then lunch and then after lunch they go out to ski. It was the first year last year (March 2007) my son did not go as at 7 and 3/4yr he was too old so I assume the format is the same which I am sure it still is - they play in AM (it opens up about 9.30am by the way), lunch around 1pm (in the nearby restaurant) and then they ski afterwards on the little ski area they have next to the kindergarten which has little tow ropes and a little travelator type thing. They then finish at 3.30pm. Never had a prob with it. Only issue was one year due to snow conditions there was avalance risk in the area so they moved kindergarten area further up the mountain. You would drop kids in the same place and they then took them up by bus to the Shilligarnika area they had moved up to - again though -not a prob.

Make sure you give the girls your mobile number and if you are having ski lessons get your instructor's name and mobile number and pass this on to them also in case you have any prob or if they have a prob - they can speak in BG to the instructor which may be easier for them - never had any need for this and hopefully you won't either!

I booked my through Balkan who I went with the times we went by package and my son went there. They mention a little on their website but not much. My understanding is that if you have not pre-booked you can just turn up and pay there and then but of course the risk is that they may be full up - sorry - have had a look and cannot find any independent info for them - perhaps try and contact ULEN who run the slopes in Bansko or someone else on here may be more in the know than I am - assuming this is that you not booking package in which case - book it though the tour operator.

Hope this helps in some way. Bansko is great - you will all love it - we (my son now aged 8 and I) are back for our 4th visit in March - can't wait!!

Kim

A bit more info - this on Thompson site:

Bansko is a great place for families. The resort offers a ski and non-ski kindergarten located by the bottom station of the Gondola lift. Children from 3-7 yrs inclusive are welcome at the club, where they are given expert supervision. For children 4-7 yrs, the package includes daily tuition (2 hours per day), skis, boots, lift pass (to the snow club only), and daily activities including outside snow fun! This service can only be booked locally. Prices are approx. £15 per day or £80 for 6 days.

I recall this now when I booked with Balkan - you book your places but they do not guarantee a space (never had a prob though) and when you get there you pay the rep and he gives you a ticket - of course this is if you going package!

Kim,

Wow - Thanks for the effort, I'll do some searching on ULEN as another page mentioned them, I am travelling independently as I'm driving up from Turkey (where we live) So have started the accomodation search and wanted to see if I could sort out the Kids school (next most important thing). I am going 26th Jan - 9th Feb (2 weeks) depending on progress will look for hopefully 1 week in the kindergarden followed up with some private lessons in the 2nd week.

it sounds Ideal and I guess the timings would coincide with the adult ski school. Can you remember prices?

many thanks

Marc