Andorra or Bulgaria?

[Thebeard]

I am looking to take my boys 3,6yrs skiing with my wife and have narrowed it down to two destinations, which are pretty much due to funds..

I found a hotel in Pas de la casa that had reasonable reviews on trip advisor however am of the opinion this area is for the younger generation/singles scene and maybe not for a family with young children? The hotel is HOTEL DE LES PISTE - Has anyone any views on this hotel and or the area?

The other option was Bulgaria, staying at Hotel Snezhanka in Pomporovo. This hotel was similarly priced but no1 on tripadvisor..

Neither my boys or wife have skied so i am looking for english speaking ski school for all.

Thanks

[Thebeard]

Also re bulgaria - are there ski schools for 3yrs old as couldnt find any, so guess it would be private lesson?

[MurderOfProse]

I learned to ski in Pamporovo 11 years ago. I can't remember much about the details (it was a last minute package deal) but the ski instructor spoke English just fine, and the resort was great for learning to ski and had a really good time. I had nothing to compare it to though!

You do have to get a (free) bus to the slopes every day but that's often the case with cheaper resorts.

[snowmummy]

I wouldn't take my family to Pas - like you say its a party town. Have you tried Arinsal?

[HolidayArmadillo]

I'll be watching this with interest as want to do the same next year with a 10&3 year old.

[Thebeard]

Hi,
Thanks for your responses.. Hopefully not BUT as there wasnt much of a response earlier in the posting i booked up with Crystal to fly to PAS and stay at the Hotel de les piste..


I spoke to a couple of friends and crystal andn they suggested this as a reasonably priced 'first timer' deal and pals said that the holiday is what you make it.........

If any of you have been to PAS with young children around the age of my boys (3,6yrs). Could you assist with whether the 6yr old would be more intrested in the sno garden/kindergarten that covers play and skiing or a beginners package into skiing?

My eldest boy is about 105cm (quite small for his age) with the 3yr old (currently 2.5yrs - about 7cm off him). I dont want to mother him but i would like to make sure he has a good time - and is worn out by the PM (As snowmummy points out)

Lastly for HOLIDAY ARMADILO there is a 10 min bus ride to a local leisure centre for sledging and swimming pool if you fancy it so maybe my pals are correct in its what you make it?

As i have sort of gone off track i am going to re post this under a new heading in case some of you think multi topic changes are taking the piste (poor joke i know). I just wanted to respond to you assistance

[HolidayArmadillo]

Can I ask what provision there is for the three year old in terms of childcare/ski school?

[Thebeard]

This was the email i recieved from grandvalira who are the company crystal ski use..
I looked on there website too and it seems there are things to keep them occupied as well as a viewpoint for parents if req. Hope this helps!

Dear Joanne,

Many thanks for your email.

1.  Is 2 hours ski lessons during the morning + 2 hours ski lessons during the evening. Rest of time they are playing inside the snow garden.<br />
   

2.  You can collect them from 13 to 14hrs (always at the same place) or you can bring the food.<br />
   

3.  We can?t confirm times.  <br />
   

Regards,

Clara Benítez
departament de booking
GRANDVALIRA?SAETDE
C/ Prat de la Creu, 59-65, Esc. B, Planta 5
AD500 Andorra la Vella
T +376 872 927
[email protected]
www.escolapasgrau.com

[adagio]

Andorra is awesome - been to Soldeu twice (next village up from pas). Grand valira is the region/pistes - once you get the cable car up out if your village to the mountain it all links up anyway.

I only just had a baby so didn't have children when we went however we already intend to go to Andorra again once baby is bigger (assuming we can afford it that is - I need a job first!) - Andorra seemed very child friendly with a great range of easy slopes and a lovely bowl of restaurants up in the mountain with loads of red/blues / some greens and ski school in it/ending in it. Perfect for kids in the school/garden and parents doing the longer runs, then lunch together and tobogganing or helping each other practice on the green slope in the afternoon. Damn I miss it already and it will be years before we can go again!

You can technically board/ski in and out if all the villages if you like on the regional ski pass, and there are plenty of cable cars if you need/want to catch one down if you have scared/novices with you.

[adagio]

oh and everyone there seems to love kids - all the instructors and staff everywhere were lovely with smaller people, and the slopes very friendly (people all pick each other up as required - not at all snobby). From memory the slope into pas was really crowded with some truly shockingly bad younger/singles who had clearly not found there feet yet - better off up in the mountain in the bowl of restaurants IMO where at least novices tend to have instructors so are less out of control (!)

[Thebeard]

Thanks adagio. I think i will put the eldest boy into ski school rather than snow garden and when he finished his class, as youve said enjoy afternoon as a family. I am not keen on leaving my youngest in snow garden all day so may have a couple of private lessons in the AM whilst older one makes friends in ski school and lil an in snow school finds his feet.

Thanks again

[adagio]

oh and if you drive an audi take the key fob - both times I went there was an audi quattro snow circuit and rumour had it you had to have an audi key fob to have a go, it looked great fun! not sure if it is happening this season x

[C0smos]

Hated skiing in Andorra, most of our group got stomach bugs, the hotel food was greasy and vile, wouldn't go back.

[skinanny]

www.homeaway.co.uk/p89182
We are staying here at the moment. Our fourth time staying here. it's absolutely fantastic for beginners - just read the reviews.