Bulgaria Ski discussion board

You need to look around a bit more Sam!
I've just booked a trip for my mates at the end of Jan. A week including flights, private transfers and 4* accommodation works out at less than £200 each! My weekend trips (3 days) usually cost about £150. Is that more than the trips to France?
This isn't any special offer or "deal" - that's just what it costs, most of the season (obviously Christmas/NY etc a bit more). If anyone wants to know how to do it easily then just drop me a pm.

I don't know what the travel agents are charging but just bypass them. Book with a budget airline and direct at an apartment and Bansko is unbelievably cheap. I suppose it helps a lot that I live in London (for flights), but there are other options.

Plus you've got to consider that a plate of chips and a pint on the slopes will cost you 15 Euros in France, or 4 in Bansko! Factor in lift passes and then the equipment hire is about 1/2 the price and there really is no comparrison, price wise.

Matt

My two pence worth - have been to Borovets a few times, never to Bansko, and last year we fancied a change and went to France. Did an apartment, as for various reasons it suited at the itme. However, going back this year in a catered chalet. We booked this in August to go on 5th March, paid £1,050 - this has attracted an early booking discount, the brochure price was in the region of £1250 for the two of us. I've just priced Bansko now as I was interested in how they compare, based on the comments above;

Flight - Easyjet, Manchester to Sofia £286
Apartment (from Bansko Apartments site) £490
Transfer (Steve C's website) £121

Used a generous 1.14 Euro to the £ - so I make this £897. The apartment was mid-priced based on the prices quoted on the website, transfer was the 1-3 persons option return.

Now, I know I'll get loads of comments on there being cheaper apartments, and well there may be - but for a difference of only £150, I have all my food and drinks during dinner included. Chalet has been recommended to us by someone we know who lives in resort (not the chalet owner BTW!) so I'm sure it won't be like school dinners and well worth choosing this option.

Yes, I know the lift pass is going to be higher - booking via the travel agent is £175, which is a bargain as the price for buying direct at the lift pass office has been released in the last week or so at 220 Euro, I think.

You have to remember that some people are limited in terms of where they can fly from, or how early they can book, but I think I've got a good deal, all things considered.

I'd agree that you've got a very good deal! I'm trying to go for a weekend in feb and am struggling to get a price lower than that.
I also wouldn't try and say that Bansko was better for everyone - it's just the price comparrisons that I find odd.

I don't think your example is reasonable. If you'd booked flights in August when you booked France I know (as I was looking at them earlier) they would have cost at least £100 less. My brother booked last night from Manc for £95 rtn in late March.
£490 for an apartment for 2??? Half that is still a lot! And do you get a private transfer for the 2 of you in with the price to France? (I'm guessing not but that's just a guess - could be wrong). You could almost half that transfer price if sharing with another couple (85 Euro e/w for 4/5 from Steve).

So even at these fairly generous prices (believe me cheaper flights and accommodation are available) a fair comparrison would be more like £200 flights, £250 accom and £75 transfers. So more like £525 vs £1050. Even with the increased flight prices you mentioned I could book the same holiday today for less than £600. Although yes, food isn't included.

I'm not saying other places are a rip off. I'm not saying it isn't worth it. I'm definitely not saying you haven't got a great bargain. But France as cheap as Bansko? No.

Matt

The thing with cheap flights is they are cheap until you add ski carriage and hold luggage, I have priced flights with easyjet and they are coming in at £500, I know I can get an appartment close to the slopes for £220 as I used it last year. On a personal note for a safe and reliable transfer I would only use Steve which is another £150, total no food or ski passes £870. Add ski passes in
which are now £100 each and your at almost £1000, I dont think thats a cheap deal especially in Jan.

I dont need to hire equipment or have ski tuition so this is not a cost I factor in so no savings their. Yes prices are more expensive but with chalet board only really have lunch to buy. I think for a small amount more I will be getting a better deal at that time of the year.