Poster: A snowHead
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I'm starting to think about a January trip. We normally go to France or Italy as we're at the 'bombing around on reds and blacks doing high mileage piste bashing' stage of skiing development but someone suggested going to Bulgaria and hiring a guide/instructor for a week to learn proper off-piste technique. I'm wary of Bulgaria as the resorts look way too small for a whole week on piste but I'm wondering what anyone thinks about it being good for learning/exploring off-piste? Also what instructors/guides are likely to be charging?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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If the snowfall is crap the off-piste will be crap, and when that happens Bulgaria has no "high mileage piste" to fall back on. Maybe have a look at the large Soldeu/Pas de la Casa area in Andorra (Grand Valira?) should be cheaper than France but with plenty of english-speaking instructors about.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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beedeji, I have the phone number of the instructor/guide we used last year in Borovets. Good English and good instruction. PM if you want her contact number. (No email contact sorry )
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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dont risk it, i will never ever go back to bulgaria.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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graeme,
its not that bad, just different. Maybe you are not creative enough
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Thanks folks, food for thought....
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Chappers,
very creative, but will never return. sorry but "not that bad" does not cut it for me
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Graeme,
what made your experience bad?
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I did 4 days of lessons in Bansko and really improved. There are a few good ski schools there now and the prices are very low. The ski area isn't extensive but there certainly is off-piste action - a snowboarder died there last year after straying off-piste without a guide!! Not very persuasive I know, but if wanted to spend a week improving my technique I'd go there again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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lack of snow, lack of terrain, queues from hell, poor pistes
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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graeme, that good
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Hey,
I went to Bulgeria with my sister and her b/f last feb. it was one of the best ski weeks ive had. im a pretty good skiier but my sister and her b/f are very intermediate snowboarders, we went to Borovets resort and it had slopes for all of us. the night life is good too. it can be cheesy but sometimes cheese is great. its sooooooooooooooooo cheap too. we went on a package deal with Crystal and id deff recomend it to anyone.
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You know it makes sense.
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A group of us have been to Bulgaria (Pomparova, Bansko and Borovets) for the last three years and apart from the ropey conditions on the very low slopes last year, which everyone experience I can't fault it. Snow conditions were brillient the first two years with fresh snow just about every day, intruction has been excellent (especially Maria in Pamps)and the locals are really friendly. Good value for money too with a weeks lift pass for £80 and beer about 50p a pint. Going back to Bansko this year but staying next to the gondola as we have heard queues can be more of a problem that they used to be
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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libs, welcome to
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Poster: A snowHead
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Looking on the pessimistic side - what do you think the health care is like in Bulgaria - thinking of fractures/similar injuries - that is what puts me off going outside the more established resorts. ( I am a nurse and have seen the effects of poor treatment after RTA's in other countries). I know you can't base your holiday on the excellece of the nearest hospital but is has been a 'con' when weighing up choices.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Must admit I agree with graeme. Went there once, crap snow, crap lifts, crap food, crap ski hire (ski actually broke and fell off ON THE CHAIR which, naturally, resulted in a comic scene when I got to the top!). On a more positive note it was very cheap. Will never return though I'm afraid.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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the whole of Bulgaria for a whole week?
No thanks..
GoodvEuropean resort would be my choice, Chamonix etc. Or given the poor state of north american currency US or Canada.
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