Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Ellie,

We are going skiing for the first time next year to Borovets in Bulgaria staying at the Samokov hotel. We have booked through Airtours. When we booked they said that if we paid for two adult learn to ski packs that we would get a free child ski kindergarten. I had a phone call yesterday saying that they have got it wrong and they can only include a free child ski place where the child is 7 or over. Hollie will only be six. I am worried to turn up not having a kindergarten place secured until we arrive because then I wouldn't be able to ski if there was not availability. The kindergarten I have since found out is within the grounds of the hotel we have booked. I just don't understand the problem.

I have a 7 year old booked into ski school in the resort of Borovets in January,(pretty good skiier) but was advised to book my 5 year old (but he will be six on the day we leave Borovets) into a local ski kindergaten upon arrival (staying at the Samokov). He used the ski kindergarten in France this year and I was hoping he would get more than 2 hours ski tutition per day (as they said this would be the case in any kindergaten).( Poor soul; got 6 hours per day this year!), so hes got the basics! Should I say hes 7 and make an ammendment to the booking or book with the Samokov kindergarten upon arrival as suggested. its a shame cos hes looking forward to the skiing not the kinder funn stuff!
Thanks for the help

Julie,

Sorry with the delay replying.

You cannot pre - book either the Samokov or Rila Kindergarten before travelling. You book and pay locally. We travelled in 2003 with Inghams and used their kindergarten based at the Ela but that is unfortunately only for their customers. We personally have no experience with the kindergarten otherwise apart from the fact that they are probably not overly suitable for 6 year olds who want to ski!!

Last year Rosie was only 6 and we pre booked a childrens ski package and she joined me and her brother for lessons. We found on this board that a lot of the travel companies were difficult about this last year but we travelled and arranged everything independantly. The Ski school doesn't mind if the children are under 7. Another boy in our class was also only 6. I personally wouldn't lie about their age as this may invalidate insurance.

Go back to Airtours straight away and what ever you do insist upon purchasing a pre booked ski pass. Tell them that you will want to take her skiing after your lessons have finished and also use the drag lifts and gondola with her. She will need a pass for these and in that way she can also be included in the lessons. You may have to pay a local fee for lessons.

I skied in a family group last year with the children. Anything goes really and if you would prefer to all learn together than this is ok. Alternatively the children can go off in a kids only ski group. The only thing about this is that they have to be able to fend for themselves - I wasn't sure Rosie was up to this last year even when she was with her 8 year old brother.

I hope this helps and ask more if you wish

Ellie

we have used Inghams kindergarten for past two years.They operate from Ela Hotel fron 8am-4/5pm.You can drop your children there between 8am-11am and pick them up anytime,take them out to lunch,take them sking with you,drop them back into kindergarten,they are so flexible.The nannies and ski instructors are 1st class.I think they take up to 6 yr olds.Our two boys are now 5 and 6,and were 3 and 4 1st year we went.I could already ski,so my wife and daughter aged 12 at the time went into ski school,i skied in the mornings and picked up my boys 1pm ish and took them on nursary slopes till 3/4pm and then met up with family.Because all activities operate around front of Rila Hotel,you will see your children/family much of the time.
I would advise anyone with children up to 7/8 yrs,to put them in kindergarten,see how they get on,its easy to find them and if possible ,pick them up mid morning and ski with them yourself or arrange 1/2 hour lessons on nursary slopes.Just ask any instructor,they are all 1st class and will always oblige.
I took my two boys out of kindergarten at midday, every day last year.Jack who was 51/2 was flying up and down button lift within 1hour,and sking down nursary slope on his own,Ben who was just 4 would come up button lift with me and come down on my ski's,they had a fantastic time.They both had private lessons on and off throughout the week.We are back in borovets on12 feb 05.