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Looking at a cheapish skiing holiday over Christmas this year, we have been to Finland a few times over Christmas but the price seems to have rocketed since we were last there.
Bulgaria looks OK but would appreciate any advice from anyone who has been there. We usually like a self catering lodge type of place but would be happy with a decent hotel because lodges seem few and far between.
Nooooooo
There is a reason it is cheap. Poor infrastructure, large queues in peak times and I wouldn't consider anywhere as snow-insecure as the main Bulgarian resorts for an early season trip (which Christmas is)
Also curious about Bulgaria. Friends who have been reckon its decent but they've never been to the alps. I worry I've been spoiled by only going to France and that Bulgaria would seem a bit of a let down.
Edit: above post seems to speak to my fears.
Bulgaria is no comparison to the Alps. If you’re only one notch above beginner level then you will have outgrown it. It is cheap for sure so a great first ski holiday but that is the only reason to go really. I went a few years ago and lucked out with the conditions. Probably the best snow conditions i’ve had anywhere but it was freak conditions. Other times i’ve been the conditions have been variable. I’ve never not been able to ski but sometimes not great which limits you to the higher slopes reducing the size of an already small area. But for beginners and kids it’s a good option.
Get good medical insurance. A friend of my parent's broke her pelvis and the operation done in Bulgaria was not the best. She was mobile but not very agile afterwards. She had to have a second operation done privately back in the UK to sort the issues (she was not an NHS priority because she was mobile).
We went to bansko twice as had free accommodation . As others have said , not comparable to alps, and I would not risk it at Xmas as too early . But we lucked out with good snow , my skiing is pretty average , and we enjoyed a nice and relaxing holiday with lots of cheap one to one lessons with English instructors. Skied last two Xmas in France, which was great . Not sure will be back to bulgaria ..
have a look at Andorra - a big group of us went out over the new year - maybe not as cheap as Bulgaria but great facilities and a lot less than the Alps
Jasna, Slovakia. Cheap, quieter than France and good infra
Paul owns 'Propaganda' chalets. Been going there for years, pre-Euro
I've been skiing there many times, maybe 10. I've also been to several alps resorts so can compare. If you want a significantly cheaper skiing holiday and are happy cruising around some slopes then it's fine. Ski hire, lessons and lift pass are all very cheap.
I've only been back recently so my other half can learn how to Ski, now that she can cruise down a blue confidently, we'll likely not go back. Even though it's probably £500 per person all in for a week, you might as well double that and have an amazing week in the alps.
The food has improved over the years and is cheap, but it's not a patch on France or italy.
Having been to both Jasna on Slovakia and Borovets in Bulgaria I'd go Jasna everytime. Obviously snow cover plays a bit part, did Borovets in February and only 1 lift was opens, a total of three runs. We were only there for the weekend but ended up doing about 1.5 hours on the slopes a day and binning the rest off as it was crap.
Jasna was epic but we got lucky with the snow and the fact we were sharing our accomodation (Propoganda as above) with some team GB youth snowboarders who didn't mind us tagging along.
P.s. I do appreciate the situation could have easily been reversed had the weather been different
Similar thoughts to the others. I went to Bansko a few years ago, nice place friendly people with good service in the bars and restaurants.
The ski area was quite small so unless you are a beginner then you'll have exhausted the slopes by mid week, fine for a weekend break but not for a whole week.
The lifts were not as fancy as in the Alps but they worked fine and seemed in good shape not rusty death traps and there was new ones being built so maybe few years on now its not so bad?
There is one main gondola that takes you from the resort base up to the main ski area so get there early to avoid the big queue. There is one ski down to resort base but depending on conditions the snow will get thin and slushy.
The ski hire was stupidly cheap and I got absolutely brand new equipment, I saw them take it out the box and wrapper and set it up for me. I cant remember the model of ski's but they were some of the top end ones that Head made and cost about the same as a basic ski hire in the alps.
Would I go back ... probably yes but only for a short break
I actually really like Jansa - its quite an interesting holiday and the water park/wellness centre place is mega.
Don't go expecting French Alps mega resort vibe though. Also it isn't especially high (1k-2km) so maybe not ideal at Christmas.
My first ski trip was to Bansko, nothing to compare it with at the time. Joined ski school, crap instructor!
Borovets 3 times, a cheap ski holiday, limited ski runs but good for beginners. Plenty of places to eat, cheap and some of the places to eat were fantastic.
Better instructors. I had one to one tuition in Borovets (secpnd trip). I was on the verge of giving up on skiing as I spent most of it on my arse and getting up was harder and harder!
My instructor was brilliant, it transformed my skiing and upped the fun factor massively!
Third trip to Borovets was our last, not enough ski runs. It was cheap and served its purpose, now we ski a lot in Italy, no comparison.
I have some very happy memories in Bulgaria! I would return but only for a quick/short trip.
We went to Pamporovo about 13 years ago and it was the worst holiday I've ever been on. 90% of the people were rude and really unfriendly, it was dirty, unsafe and not all that cheap.
The food was horrible and my missus came home seriously ill from severe food poisoning. To be honest I really put me off going back to Bulgaria and put me off snowboarding. I'd be keen to have another go one day, but it's not a cheap trip 🙂
Falling into an outdoor toilet .-
Bulgaria
I wouldn't go back tbh .
You can ski in France with Rocketski for not alot more.
Jasna is become really expensive ( along with everything else in Slovakia) in the past few years, i was looking at hotel resorts with ski passes and there wasnt a hige difference between that and the Alps.
I know its a while back but i used to stay at hotel grand in the early 00’s and it was about £35 a night, last time we looked the same room and board was £250.
Thanks for all of the replies. I have since read some horrendous reviews of Bulgarian hotels since posting and that along with comments above has ruled it out!
I am now looking at Italy but think I will need to readjust my budget!