New and looking for snowboarding ideas

[Paul Shipway]

Just come back from Borovets. Whilst it is simple and basic it was incredible value for money. Stayed in the hotel Bor. Basic and about 15 minutes walk into town but again for a cheap chance to get on the slopes great value for money.

[Deb1]

Any of the French resorts are great for boarding too as many of the lift systems have now been upgraded and drag lifts are becoming a thing of the past. (Drag lifts are not good on a board). FOr those with abit of money though Canada & the States are the place to go. Have boarded Lake Louise/Banff area and this is fab. Huge wide pistes, lots of snow, few people on the mountain. Just costs alot to get there and is generally room only so you need to allow for more spending money.

[Paul Shipway]

Has anyone tried Andorra?

[Plooka]

Val Thorens is one of the best ski resorts to hit early in the Ski season as the snow is reliable and it is Europes highest ski resort.

Bansko in Bulgaria is also a good choice. Both featured in our top 10

[Paul Shipway]

Great. Thanks.

[happyboy]

Paul, If your budget is less than £200 for flights accommodation and transfer and you want cheap lessons as well as cheaper everything else, try Bansko in Bulgaria. Search for Bansko accommodation blog for lots of info. Last year lifts opened on 1st December and assuming good snow then the 6/7 December will be good as its students night on the 8th. 15th December is the official opening date.

Bansko has very pleasant nice old town, new lift system and smarter than Borovets and more convenient than Pamporovo (the other major Bulgarian resorts). In Bansko you get snow making and very well prepared, and wide pistes and you can even afford private lessons as they are generally around a quarter of French prices. In the local restaurants outside town you can eat well for £3 per head.

Remember to save money at €1.30 to the £1, assuming it remains around this level, you need to evaluate all the costs of going skiing: ski/board hire, lessons, lift pass, food, nightlife and quality of accommodation. So whilst you may get to France/Austria/Spain for similar money its what you spend on the whole trip.... What's more, if you're saving a load by not paying £4+ for a hot chocolate on the slopes then somehow it sees a bit more enjoyable.

There are some downsides in Bulgaria generally, whilst building work stops for the ski season you will still see some unfinished buildings around. Service can be poor and you will queue to get up the mountain on New Year and some Sundays. These can be reduced by getting to lift early (best to stay close to lift for this). Overall service in improving and can be very good. Apart from a couple of the best hotels, do not eat in a hotel restaurant as the food in generally poor - there are plenty of other good restaurants.

[Paul Shipway]

Thanks great info.

[joe.blogs]

I've just come back from the French Alps where I had an awesome time with my family. We went to the 3 valleys and stayed in the Boulangerie Chalet in Meribel Village with a company called ski-basics (http://www.skibasics.co.uk). This was a really great package that included breakfast and evening meals at the chalet. We went in a week where you get free ski pass for the valley.

There are absolutely loads of blue runs for the less experienced members and loads of red and a few black for any hardcore boarders skiers.

The only slight downer is that its a fairly expensive area. For 2 coffees and 2 slices of pizza for lunch came to around €20 which is not so bad but every where you go coffee is about €4. Bottles of beer seem to go for an average of €5. I didn't really go out much, I wore myself out on the slopes but I had a great time.

I would definitely recommend the 3 valleys area, especially Meribel to anyone thinking of a ski holiday in France.

I'm thinking of somewhere hot for a summer holiday so I'm thinking of the Capital Coast Resort & Spa in Cyprus (http://www.capitalcoastresorts.co.uk)

Good luck with finding somewhere for boarding/skiing, hope this post helps.