Bulgaria or Andorra

[WelshMoth]

Can you tell me where you've been and how it was? Looking for a family holiday for experienced intermediates who are not particularly looking for thrill seeking, so blacks aren't a must but a variety of greens, blues and reds would be fab to give us all a great day.

Would love a swimming pool nearby too.

Does this exist for Andorra or
Bulgaria?

I can't advise but I'm interested in any responses you get!

I have been to Bulgaria pre-kids.

It was horrible. Really ropey and felt like we would be robbed at any moment.

This was some time ago- like 10 years. It may have changed.

Bulgaria is dreadful. I've been to Bansko and thought try again with Borovets. It's really really shit.

I went to bansko in 2006. It was a nice holiday. The standards may be different to France, but we stayed in a nie hotel with a pool that did the best hot choc I think I have ever had. My sister has skied in Andora and she thought it was fine.

@inwood why was it shit?

I’ve been to Andorra. We are good skiers and it was good sking. The town wasn’t as ‘cute’ as Austria billiards but it was a good week.

From memory though the transfer was pretty long.

I went to Pamporovo and Borovets in the early 90s.
Thoroughly enjoyed both holidays but very basic. Pamporovo was, I think, 1990 when the wall just came down. Great holiday but I was a beginner and there was only one route that we repeated all week.
Borovets a few years later and again the skiing was pretty limited and, although I was treated fine, the local kids were spitting and swearing at my young teens because of how they perceived the situation.

All nearly 30 years ago though now so things will have changed.

However, Andorra is and always has been a european resort. I visited Andorra in the summer but that was also in the 90s and I don't really recollect much about it except that I would have loved to go there skiing but it never happened.

Not much help really I guess

Don’t you worry about what the local hospitals are like? Hopefully you will never everneed to find out but I can’t imagine what it would be like to be carted off to a Bulgarian hospital in need of care I think there’s a reason people tend to stick to the usual places. I just know so many experienced skiers who have needed a hospital trip over last few years and all have been lucky enough to be in Italy/Switzerland/Austria etc.

Definitely Andorra over Bulgaria.
Though most flights go to Toulouse which is a hefty transfer.

@WelshMoth shit infrastructure, two hour lines for lifts at 9am, awful apres, felt like we were going to get mugged everywhere. Totally intimidating. Locals sticking hoses into transport at traffic lights to steal fuel.

I shared a chairlift with a dad and his son and he said Andorra was a great place to learn to ski. Small and not too steep. He thought it was great for him and his son. But that was in France, Avoriaz as he felt they’d outgrown Andorra.

If you’re looking for cheap/cheerful options have a look at Sunweb for ski deals. Also if you’re prepared to drive this cuts the costs a lot. The grand massif ski area is cheaper as is the lift pass. Also idea you’re booking now lots of companies are offering buy one get another half price lift pass.

If the snow is good then you’d like and it be cheaper to go to
Flaine
Les Gets
La Roserie

If you want a pool you’ll pay for it!

Also look at Pierre Vancance for self catering options.

Are you choosing those two countries for financial reasons, OP? I know that the cheaper package holidays tend to be in Eastern europe, but if you're prepared to organise a trip yourself you might find comparable prices in lesser known, but still very suitable resorts. Austria springs to mind, places such as Montafon (Schruns), Mauterndorf, Waidring. None of which appear in brochures but all have decent skiing. Booking.com is your friend here.

I live near Andorra and we go skiing there regularly. I would choose the sport hotel in soldeu - nice pool and spa and ok apres ski on the slopes or in town. You can stay in a cheaper hotel nearby and pay to use the sport hotel pool. As someone else said, it's never as pretty as the Alps but it's high enough to have reliable snow

Fab - thanks everyone- this is all really valuable advice. We've skied in France over the years but are finding it increasingly costly. 1650 was our last resort and it bloody fleeced us. DH is retired now and our finances aren't the same. I have driven twice to the Alps and I don't think I'd want to do that again.

I hadn't considered the Grand Massif - will have a look.

Soldeu definitely on list as well.

@Smorgs is that hotel called the sport hotel? We're off to andorra in Feb and staying at the euroski hotel. Is it any good?

OP we did a lot of research before settling in Andorra. Dh is very experienced but the rest of us are newbies so it fits the bill.

Another vote here for Soldeu & the Grandvalira ski area. You will love it! Masses of skiing, English speaking ski instructors & good value for money.

We're doing Italy at New Year and Andorra at Christmas because France was so expensive this season. We love Italy.. so much better value on the mountain. Was sick of paying €15 for sausage and chips and €4 for nasty coffee.

Couldn't bring myself to go to Bulgaria I don't think.

Doh. Andorra at half term!

@NCTDN Yes it's called the Sport Hotel. No experience of Euroski hotel I'm afraid.

Andorra all the way

What about Scotland?

I have been skiiing in Bulgaria although a long time ago, the snow was very thin over thick ice and our instructor shattered his thigh and had to be lifted off the mountain. I felt safe though in the environment and it’s was a friendly atmosphere.

Scotland really isn't reliable enough snow conditions wise. It's fabulous when you get good days but they are few and far between.

Will admit I'm not anti-Bulgaria through experience but have heard some pretty negative feedback from friends that have been.