Cheap Ski Holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has got to be one of the best areas for those who are looking to try skiing or boarding for the first time, or maybe those families with you children, who want to ski and rest assured that the children are having fun or are being well looked after. The learn to ski packages are undoubtedly as massive attraction too, with all equipment, tuition and lift passes included at approximately £140 per adult and £110 for children, makes it a great way to ski without breaking the bank.

The superb tree lined slopes offer picture postcard scenery, wide nursery slopes and huge choice of greens and blues make it perfect for beginners and children, and the intermediates and advanced have a good choice of runs too, and the off piste opportunities are huge. All topped with cosy cafés and pubs, mountain restaurants offering a great selection of food and drink at a price that will never break the bank make this a destination hard to beat.

Bulgaria is made up of 3 main resorts....Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko, let me tell you a little about each.

Borovets is a popular resort for all levels of skier, with over 60km of piste, particularly popular with beginners, with a famous English speaking ski school helping you explore the mountainside and helping you progress quickly to a good level. Intermediates have a great choice of runs running from the summit, through the forest and back to your door and advanced will enjoy the famous World Cup run of Yastrebets, and the off piste opportunities too. Boarders are well catered for too with this resort that lends itself to all levels. The pretty town centre comes alive at night, offering a great selection of bars and restaurants, whether you want lively of traditional, Borovets has it all, not to mention the massive choice of non ski activities too.

Bansko is one of Europe's newest resorts, offering modern accommodation and a fantastic new lift system, taking you up to some of the most amazing scenic piste. With runs as high as 2500m, offers some fantastic conditions, beautiful powder snow and a great choice of piste regardless of your level and ability. Advanced skiers may find they are limited for black runs but the off piste choices are endless. Bansko offers some marvellous spa facilities and non ski activities. The apres ski is a selection of bars and tavernas, known as Mehanas offering a warm traditional atmosphere rather than lively.

Pamporovo is probably the most scenic of the Bulgarian resorts, set amongst the pine forests, making skiing exciting, challenging and stunning all at the same time. Pamporovo has long sunny days and wide nursery slopes making it a prefect destination for families and beginners. Also excellent for groups as the resort has excellent value for money accommodation, a great apres ski, with a great selection or lively bars and restaurants with a traditional feel. Advance skiers will find things a bit limited here, definitely a resort suited to beginners and intermediates.

Bulgaria is excellent value for money, food and drink are easily available, an average 3 course meal will cost approximately £10 a head and a bottle of locally produced wine is approximately £4. The choice of accommodation ranges from2 star to 5 star and suits all budgets and tastes. So for a ski holiday, hard to beat where money is concerned...try Bulgaria, its simply perfect.

Money

The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is divided into100 stotinki. The Lev is tied to the Euro at a fixed rate of€1 = 1.955 lev. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations. Ifyou enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to theequivalent of 8,000 leva or more, you must declare it to customsofficials. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels or atone of the numerous bureaux de change, however due to a commonpractice of misleading rates of exchange it is better to go tobanks or hotels to change money. A receipt called abordereaux is issued when exchanging currency, indicatingthe amount that will be given, and it must be kept until departure.Not all banks accept travellers cheques and those that do usuallycharge a 5% commission. Major international credit cards areincreasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shopsand restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgariais still largely a cash economy. There are ATMs in the main citiesand at Black Sea resorts.

Time

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Language

Bulgarian is the official language, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet, but English, German and French is spoken in resorts, hotels and restaurants.

Climate

Unless you visit for skiing, summer is the most comfortable timein Bulgaria, with low humidity and temperatures averaging 75°F(24°C); winter temperatures average around 32°F(0°C).