Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Katie,

First year we went our youngest (Katie as well) was 5,she went straight into kids ski school and they were fine about it. More importantly she enjoyed it and learnt to ski. Instructors were fine and took our mobile numbers 'just in case' and then we arranged to meet up with them in whatever restaurant in the afternoon.

I think that the instructors in Bulgaria are more than fairly relaxed so if on the mornig of the first day when you are put in classes you just take thema long to the childrens' ski school classes they will let them in. Other kids enjoyed the kindergarten but they only skiied for an hour or so.

Other alternative is to speak to your instructor, it seems that most will give you very good 1:1 in the late afternoon for a few 'quid, or should I say Levs. In actual fact they (and we) learn much more quickly this way as you spend less time standing still and watching your classmates pull themselves out of the snow - although that is pretty good fun too.

I'm sure you'll love it.

Bill

hi

We went xmas 04 as a group and in tht group we had a 7 and 5 year old both had lift passes but we were told later that under seven dont need lift passes , and i found the 4 hours of skiing for my 7 year old was to much so i changed him to kindergarden which he was a lot happier with his cousin , they skiing twice a day once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

But we did see alot of little ones in the groups too., and as we had the skis we took them out on the slopes for a little bit after lesson finished. which they loved .

All in all it was a great holiday and we r going back next year...

chez

I can confirm the above regarding under 7's not needing lift passes (this was in Pamporovo) Our daughter (6) was in Kindergarten and hated it. After trying on some ill fitting boots she started crying and gave up for the day. The kindergarten teachers didn't seem to be bothered with this because sledging was then an easy option. However our daughter really wanted to learn to ski so we arranged some private lessons at an astronomical rate of 30 Lev per Hr. This was all a bit of a rush job on the day but I am sure if you ask around you could get it cheaper. Within 2 days she was whizzing down the green runs and I am sure that now she has got her balance she will be skiing as well as us after another few days. Therefore it was 30 Lev per Hr well spent.

Sorry but I don't know anything about Borovets.

Katie

In answer to your question book and go with Inghams!!

We went to Borovets for 2 years on the trot 2003 & 2004. In 2003 our children were 7 & 5. The main reason I chose Borovets was that Inghams run their own kindergarten. It is the only resort where they offer this service. It was excellent and we could not rate it highly enough. It is based at the Ela hotel and is run exclusively for Inghams guests by British nannies.

The children are well supervised by the nannies and the ski instructors from the Albena Ski School. The kindergarten runs from about 9.00am to 4.30pm. In the mornings they play a while indoors with a plentiful supply of toys, games and videos. They they go out for 2 hours which includes an hour and a half ski lesson on the nursery slopes. They return to the hotel for a lunch (mine are fussy and we didn't get any complaints - always the way when you aren't with them!!) After lunch they have a rest and then returned to the slopes for another lesson or to go bumboarding etc.

We went during half term so the kindergarten was full - 15 children. There were 2 nannies and a minimum of 2 instructors and usually 3 on the slopes. No children were forced to do anything they didn't want but all were encouraged to have a go at skiing in the morning. In the afternoon the younger children in particular had the choice of staying in the hotel to play - most went out.

We saw our children out and about on several occasions and they were having a great time making new friends. They looked great skiing with their faces painted. They also learnt to ski enough to be better than me - not difficult! and well enough to join ski school the following season. It really depends on individual children as to how much they can cope with. I personally feel that the minimum age limit of 7 is there for a good reason. The children are expected to fend for themselves at lunch time with help from their instructor, stuggle with their sallopettes for the loo and be away from you for up to 5 hours. In 2004 Rosie was not quite 7 and we did use the ski school but I actually stayed with them in a group with 2 other families. This was a great confidence booster and from now on they are on their own!!

For under £100 a week for each child the Inghams kindergarten offers excellent value for money and the opportunity for you to have a great time during the day without worrying about your loved ones.

I hope this helps.

Ellie