Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Jayne, I've booked through e-bookers - we're flying from Manchester via Prague with Czech Airways. It cost around £235 per flight. If I get the accommodation I am after it will have saved over three hundred pounds on the brochure price at half term. I just didn't realise it would be such hard work getting the accomodation I would like! We'd like to go the week before or the week after, which might work out cheaper I'm not sure, but I work in a college and have to go on the half term week.

Glad I could help Darrell.

I work at school so I too have to go half term as we did in 2004. We had the same trouble as you having booked the flights we couldn't get the Bulgarians to commit to accommodation.

In all the research I did and believe me it was loads, I found that the accommodation costs didn't change much due to half term it is the Uk Travel Agents who bump up the prices.

You may want to call BulgariaSki for a quote for the Alpin. Phone rather than e-mail as they are quicker and e-mails can take a while to get answered. Although we booked direct with the hotel when they released prices later on in the year they were actually cheaper!

I hope it works out for you. BA jumped on the bandwagon this year for next season by releasing the half term prices already inflated. Once you have everything sorted yell again and I'll let you know details re: the ski scholl we used. That too will save you loads!

Good Luck

Ellie

Hi Ellie, thanks for that. I too realised that it is the tour operators who bump up the prices at half terms etc. Since I did my original post I have heard again from the booking agents who the Alpin deal with (I tried ringing the Alpin direct and they told me to go through the agents). They now say they are happy to receive 50% now and the rest on arrival at Alpin. They are also trying to find a way so I can pay by credit card and I will be happier doing that for the extra protection that brings. So..... very slowly I seem to be getting it all sorted. I would be grateful for any advice about ski schools though and transfers to the resort from the Airport.

We actually got picked up from the airport by our friend Krassi who was our ski instructor the year before. There was another family met off the same flight as us who were staying at the Alpin and they were picked up by the Hotel.

Most Hotels will arrange a transfer so make enquiries of them. Have you found the Alpin Website? I assume you have as you have been in touch with them.

How many of you are there in your party? Transfers are also available via taxi from Sofia airport at a reasonable cost but ensure you agree a fee before committing yourselves. Alternatively you can get the local bus but bearing in mind you have had an indirect flight is your less favourable option I'd imagine.

We used the Albena Ski School.
Val is the chap you need to speak to on:
Mobile: 00359 4877 6277
Fax: 00359 7226 6696
e-mail - albenaski@abv.bg

Make a note of this info know as it has been deleted in the past. I can always let you have it again.

Val will be away from Borovets now as he goes to the Black Sea for the summer so it willl be best to contact him once the season gets underway. He is very helpful and does a good deal. As I said we used him during half term and he sub contracts his instructors to Borosport that week anyway as everywhere is so busy but he will be happy to help you especially if you mention me!

I e-mailed him and he came back to me with prices which I then confirmed over the phone. Pay on arrival on your first morning in cash £ - he is as good as his word so no need to worry. Great with kids too as ours went with the Albena the year before when they used the Inghams kindergarten.

By the way have you been to Borovets before?

I hope this helps - yell again if you want to know more.

Ellie

Hi Ellie
Thanks for all the info - I will contact the Albena Ski School nearer the time - I have saved the e-mail address and the contact numbers. I guess we will get a taxi transfer when we arrive at the airport. We have never been to Borovets before, in fact we have never been skiing. If I'm honest its my husband and kids that are keen to give it a try - I'm not sure its my thing, but I'll give it a go - I prefer sunshine and a bit of warmth! You never though I could get hooked. The info you've given has been really helpful. Thanks
Darrell

Darrell

You will love Borovets. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. We went for the first time in 2003. I booked it as a surprise for my husband and so I wasn't realy sure what I was looking for as none of us had been skiing before! We had a blast and are well and truly hooked now which is expensive!

As we have only ever been to BG we don't really know if it is a good option or not. My gut feeling is that it is great value for money but more people are discovering how good it is which is why it is getting more expensive. We are actually trying France next year. The accommodation we have found is very good value it is the cost of the ski hire etc which bumps the price up there.

The snow was good both the times we went - Feb half term. The only draw back is that the world and his wife is there that week meaning the queues first thing in the morning are a bit tedious but I understand that is fairly normal everywhere in Europe that week.

If you have any more queries I will be only too pleased to help, I really am a huge fan of Borovets. The Alpin is in an excellent position and as I said before you will not be disappointed with the standard of the Hotel or the chalets.

Ellie