Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Ski hire
Author:
posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 11-04-05 14:17Ski hire
Hi we're taking the family (2adults+3kids) to Bansko the first week of March having arranged our own flights and acommodation. A couple of websites advise booking in advance ski equipment and lessons because the cost can be double in the resort. Is this true ? What are other people's experiences and advice ?re: Ski hire
It's true that equipment hire can be double the price in the resort, but this is more prevalent in Borovets than Bansko (but certainly does exist also in Bansko). The big tour companies make arrangements with ski hire companies to tie you in to their deals. In Bansko, there is quite a lot of ski hire to choose from, and they vary in price.
As I recall, most people tied in to tour company deals collected their skis from the bottom of the lift station, and it looked like a riot to collect it ...
As I recall, most people tied in to tour company deals collected their skis from the bottom of the lift station, and it looked like a riot to collect it ...
It's true that equipment hire can be double the price in the resort, but this is more prevalent in Borovets than Bansko (but certainly does exist also in Bansko). The big tour companies make arrangements with ski hire companies to tie you in to their deals. In Bansko, there is quite a lot of ski hire to choose from, and they vary in price.
As I recall, most people tied in to tour company deals collected their skis from the bottom of the lift station, and it looked like a riot to collect it in the morning.
I travelled independantly last year, and people in my hotel were using an independant ski hire just before the lift. I booked private lessons from the same place andthe price was very reasonable (less than £20 for a 2 hour lesson).
Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the place, but can tell you how to find it. From the bottom of the main lift, walk to the main road going back to the village. Opposite and slightly left is a wooden hut-like store doing ski hire and lessons. The instructors had dark jackets with orange shoulders.
In short, I would advise booking in advance but wouldn't worry too much about it for ski hire and lessons if you can't. The real rip-off is the lift pass. If you book in advance via a tour operator, you pay Bulgarian citizen prices (£50 for the week). If you buy a list pass in the resort, it will cost you double. Although the dual pricing is against EU regulations, and Bulgaria are trying to enter the EU, if you point this out at the lift station, they simply shrug their shoulders.
As I recall, most people tied in to tour company deals collected their skis from the bottom of the lift station, and it looked like a riot to collect it in the morning.
I travelled independantly last year, and people in my hotel were using an independant ski hire just before the lift. I booked private lessons from the same place andthe price was very reasonable (less than £20 for a 2 hour lesson).
Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the place, but can tell you how to find it. From the bottom of the main lift, walk to the main road going back to the village. Opposite and slightly left is a wooden hut-like store doing ski hire and lessons. The instructors had dark jackets with orange shoulders.
In short, I would advise booking in advance but wouldn't worry too much about it for ski hire and lessons if you can't. The real rip-off is the lift pass. If you book in advance via a tour operator, you pay Bulgarian citizen prices (£50 for the week). If you buy a list pass in the resort, it will cost you double. Although the dual pricing is against EU regulations, and Bulgaria are trying to enter the EU, if you point this out at the lift station, they simply shrug their shoulders.
