Bulgaria Ski discussion board

HI,

We are going to Borovets on Sunday, 31st of March, staying at the Rila Studios and I am really worried! We have 2 kids age 9 and 7 and have booked the learn to ski package through balcan holidays. We are arriving at Plovdiv airport and there are several things I would like to ask your advice on.
1. How long is the transfer - it is recorded as 1 hour 30 minutes up to 3 hours!
2. Has anyone any good experineces with the Rila Studios?
3. Is this ski school going to be good for us - we have never skied before! and what happens if there is no snow ont he nursery slopes?
4. The weather forecasts vary - can anyone shed light on what to expect roughly next week?

Thanks for your help _ i have become an avid reader of your forum and we are all really excited although somewhat apprehensive.

Hi we got back on the 15th March, we stayed next to the Rila, but used their pool and spa as it was much nicer than ours. The Nursery slopes at the from of the Rila were still open but were in very poor condition. After being taught the basics our instructor quickly got us up the top of the Gondala on Yastrebets as there is a good Green/Nursery slope there.

Not sure what skiing is like at the moment, I feel the weather link thro' this site is best. Around 20% of the slopes were closed while we were there and many others lower down were icey. The top slopes were all good but these are limited to 2 Blues and a Green for beginers/novices. Saying that tho we were skiing some Reds by a few days into the holiday.

Generally Ski school has a good reputation and most instructors we saw on the slopes looked helpful and attentive, we seemed to get unkucky with our instructor Ellie, she was very poor.

We did have a great time overall and were able to duck out of ski school and ski on our own by the end of the week.

Good luck,

Hi Karen

I have stayed in Rila studios, although use rooms now to get the larger beds for the kids.

There are bunk beds for the children, ideal for your ages. There is also a pull out settee if needed plus two beds. Bath with shower, small kitchenette, warm and clean. Cleaners are very good.

Take large towel for swimming pool - free for guests. You can go back to room in ski boots and take skis up too.

Breakfast is good choice, mine always find something, pancakes cooked fresh. Evening meal can be hit or miss for kids, although they do cook fresh pizza whilst you wait. Lots of salads etc if yours eat it (mine don't).

There are beginner slopes on the top and if its not too busy, you will progress quickly. More snow is forecasted but it's in the lap of the gods

If you're not happy with instructor, then have a talk with directors in the office in the Rila. If you can get away with not handing your ski school voucher to the instructor until you are happy with them, then it is much easier to change.

If you have any spare cash, try skidooing, the kids will love it. You will have to drive them but I let my little one have a go on the straight runs. Ask instructor to arrange and it should cost around 70 lev each.

Have a great time

Looking at the live web cam, the main nursery slope is to the left. You can just see the top of the drag lift to the far left of the picture. That slope goes down to the front of the Rila Hotel. There is also a slope to the right and further to the right (not shown on web cam shot) that beginners can start on. They are still skiing on these. I will be speaking to someone in BG either tonight or tomorrow, so will ask him for up dates for you. The main area you can see on the web cam is an area between slopes and gets lots of sun so loses the snow first.

The kids will be able to sledge still outside the Rila in the evenings. You can hire toboggons or buy bum boards. We take bum boards with us.

Not sure what time you are getting it to resort but I always pack a few goodies in suitcase and buy some bits at the airport to keep mine going. Rila will lay on food but fussy eaters may not appreciate what's on offer. There's a small supermarket in the Rila that stays open late. There's also a 24 hour bank and cash machine that is safe to use.

If you have or can get walkie talkies, it is easy to find one another and great to check up on the kids if you are in different groups.

Check prices on menus before ordering. Some places are inflating their prices and don't buy much at the top of gondola, especially chocolate bars. Buy in supermarket and take with you.

Anything else you can think of, just ask. As a family, we love Borovets and I am happy to let my kids have some freedom there.

Karen

Thought of a couple more things.

Water in room is good to drink - I fill small water bottles for kids. Give mine 15-20 lv a day for lunch etc and always get change.

Lobby bar in Rila is expensive but you don't have to buy drinks to sit there.

Ski depot will be one in the Rila hotel. If not happy with fit of boots, skis etc, smile sweetly when ask for them to be changed and throw a few coins in their tip box - I find this works a treat.

Restaurants in nearby Samokov Town are much cheaper. If you want a change ask your ski instructor to book The Old House 9fantastic food) for you. A taxi will cost 15 lev to the town, 20 lev back. Negotiate price before getting in taxi.

again,

thanks a lot for all the advice - we usually camp!!!!

Never thought about the bottled water but will make sure I pack these - I have bought lots of goodies - luckily kids will try a lot of things that their fussy mother won't . I was just really worried about the bad feedback and how the webcam looks but I can honestly say I am really looking forward to this now. We probably won't be arriving until midnight on Sunday - does anyone know what the routine is like onthe MOnday for ski hire etc - hope there is a cockerel to get you up!!

Karen