Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Guys and Girls

I'm off to Borovets for the first time on the 3rd of feb, I've skied a little and a friend is very much a learner.

For info we are with Inghams

I could do with a little info/help as this will be my first time in Bulgaria

a) Language : I like to try and speak the lingo even if its just a few words but having a look around on the web its totally wierd in bulgaria !!!! any tips ?? or are they happy with english, but I would like to know a few words

b) Tipping : Is this required or expected, yes/no or up to you

c) So far I havent booked any Ski or lift stuff, I presume booking all the kit we will be needing can be done over there and is there just one hire place or are there several, as I dont mind paying a bit more for better quality stuff like boots.

d) Can lessons be booked adhoc i.e. as and when we feel like it, I dont want to sign up to a daily regime really as there maybe days when we want a rest, how big are the lesson groups also are there private one on one or one on two instructors etc

d2) Regarding the Piste, is it worth getting an instructor to take me out to learn whats what on the piste, last thing I want to end up doing is going down a black run or are they marked up so a numpty can follow them.

e) Currency : This has been covered else where I know but I am surprised that you can use sterling !! does this mean I can pay for say a beer in sterling or is it the case you still need to convert your sterling to Lev somewhere first ??

f) A Map : I would really like some sort of downloadable map that I can look at here so I can get my bearings before we get out there, all the ones I've found so far seem a bit vague, would like one which shows the bars and stuff or just where places are etc ??

Right I think I'm done, sorry for all the questions but better to be prepared in my book , looks like Borovets has had a dump of snow over night so all being well it should be OK for the 3rd

Cheers

ChrisBee

Tipping:- Definitely required 10%

Ski/Lift Pass: Worth booking in UK cost me £128 for skis, boots, 6 days ski lessons & lift pass. Which still works out cheaper if you don't bother going to the lessons. I think you can book an hours private tuition over there for 40 lev

Currency: Better exchange rate over there so take sterling to change, but only ever saw and spent in Lev

Map: Is easy to find your way round, Borovets is on a triangle, so you can't get lost! Best restaurants are Blue & Katy's. Happy Duck is a good bar.

Enjoy!

a) They are perfectly happy with English, but like you I think it shows respect to at least try and learn some phrases in their own languages. "Nastrave" means "Cheers" for starters, and I'm sure every Bulgarian you meet will love to teach you so you can build up your vocab.

b) Yes. 10-15%. Tip well at the start of the week and enjoy a kingly service for the rest of your holiday.

c) Yep loads of places. Shops can be found on the main road that won't have the huge queues every morning like the big places used by the Tour Operators.

d) Ask in the ski shops, tuition is very reasonable out there compared to the rest of europe.

d2) I HIGHLY recommend printing off a piste map (from this site or elsewhere) at about A5 size. Laminate it and take it out with you in your jacket pocket. The map on the back of the Ski Pass is too small to be ligible.

e) Take enough sterling for your holiday and convert to Levs every couple of days. They'll accept sterling for your hire etc. but its better to pay for smaller things with Levs.

f) A Town Map? you'll get your bearings pretty quick as its not a big place.

Enjoy your holiday I'm also going on the 3rd (from Manchester) for the 4th time. Any more questions ask away!

Nastrave!

I'm Inghams too and I had the same thought!

I called them, they said that there was no way because you have to do it when you book your holiday or at least 2 weeks before you go. Anyway on the phone I argued the poor girl round, she said that she had to speak to her supervisor, then she came back and said that because it was just the lift pass she'd be able to do it.

So give them a call and be polite yet firm. £85 each for a full week pass and they send you vouchers which you exchange for the pass when you get there.

Hire gear out there is as good or better than you'll get anywhere else in europe. All the gear i've seen is good quality branded gear and is never very old. They take care of it as well.

Another good thing is that there are always huge queues at the tour operator places, whereas with a small shop you are straight in and straight out every morning.

there's a place next door to the happy duck (opposite the Samokov hotel) which I would recommend (and I will also be using for my skis that week).