Bulgaria · SKIING
Lessons in English, kit for the price of a lunch, and two resorts that could not be less alike. These 14 cover Bansko in the Pirin and Borovets in the Rila, with instructor prices, group sizes and what the transfer from Sofia adds.
Rent skis, poles, boots, or a snowboard from Ski and Board Traventuria in Bansko. You can choose from nearly 1,000 sets and brands such as Head, Rossignol, Salomon, Burton, and Fischer. Equipment is fitted at the shop, used on the mountain, then returned or taken to your accommodation.
Meet your instructor at Apart Hotel Flora Residence for a two-hour private lesson in Borovets. You can book for up to three people, learn at your own pace, and ask for coaching suited to your ability. Instructors have included Phil, Neil, Lexi, Yuri, and Alexei, with especially strong support for first-timers and skiers needing extra patience.
“I would like to give a huge shout out to Neil Burton of Hunters Ski School. Not only is he a fantastic instructor but a true gentleman. He showed great patience with our Autistic son Toby, he got him on skis and moving and gave him a sense of accomplishment. I can’t thank Neil enough for that and also helping me find my ski legs for the first time in 20 years. He was great craic, both my wife Nadine and my daughter Zoe improved with their skiing my daughter particularly gained huge self confidence. Shout out to Lexi for the beer and laughs (hope Pepe is alright when you…”
Learn skiing or snowboarding in Borovets with a licensed English-speaking instructor, in a private group of up to four people at the same ability level. Instructors including Ivan, Dobrin, Dobrimir, Alex, and Gery offer patient, focused coaching for beginners, children, and returning skiers. Equipment and lift passes cost extra.
“The instructor was very very helpful! Really enjoyed our lessons in Borovets. Definitely use this company in the future. Ivan was a brilliant ski instructor, was ready to hit the slopes myself on day 2. Thank you”
Hire skis, boots, poles, and a free helmet in Borovets from the Hunters depot at Flora Residence. The package includes storage, a fitting session the previous day when available, and one ski-to-snowboard swap during your rental. Lift passes and lessons cost extra. Instructors linked with the school include Neil Burton, Angel, Petra, Dani, and Boro Ordevski.
“Hi... we went skiing for first time with my partner. Booked with hunters and for ski school to my delight we wer the only beginners so we got Neil Burton to ourselves.. he is amazing and we had a laugh with him.. he is super patient and got us onto a blue slope second day of Read more”
Meet your licensed instructor at Hotel Rila in Borovets for a private ski or snowboard lesson lasting about two hours. Tsetso, Cico, Tsvetomir, and Tsveto have taught beginners, children, advanced skiers, snowboarders, and Telemark skiers. Lessons cover safety, stopping, turning, lifts, carving, and steep-slope control.
“Kids had private lessons with Tsveto, they really enjoyed the lessons and learned a lot. They were complete beginners and after 4 lessons he had them on blues and making parallel turns. They are asking for him again next year. Highly recommend”
Rent skis, poles, and boots for five days from Alpin Ski & Snowboard on Borovets’ Rila slope. You can arrange gear online or visit before your first ski day. Staff help with sizing and fittings, while optional children’s helmets, snowboard hire, ski school, and modern drying lockers add useful flexibility.
“Eva was great at sorting our group of 9 with skis, boots, poles, goggles and helmets. She was super helpful and all of the staff were really friendly. We had 3 instructors and split the group”
Pick up skis, a snowboard, boots, and winter gear at 360 Ski Bansko on Pirin Street, about a one-minute walk from the gondola. Staff can adjust or change equipment, store it overnight at no extra charge, and help with classes. Diana and instructor Dmitry are among the named team members.
“Excellent service. Really friendly staff and perfect location. I was able to change my boots after day one with no problem at all. So handy as a short walk from the gondola so you don’t have to walk far in ski boots. They keep all your kit overnight for you.”
Start at Ski & Board Traventuria Royal in Borovets at 10:00 am and choose skis, poles, boots, or a snowboard with soft boots. Equipment is first-season quality, serviced after every rental, and can stay at your accommodation. The price excludes lift passes, helmets, clothing, storage, and insurance.
“The whole point on going on holiday and spending your hard earned money is to get away from the horrible people you have to be around everyday day. If I knew I was going to be surrounded by them here also I wouldn’t have bothered coming”
Travel from Sofia to Borovets with guide Nikolay or another local host, using supplied skis or a snowboard, boots, clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, and an all-mountain lift pass. You get about eight hours at Bulgaria’s biggest ski resort, plus views of Musala and a short stop at Iskar Reservoir.
“they cancelled on me last minute, had to go with another company. would not recommend. The price seemed fair but bit of a bate-and-switch, or at least they held out for a large/group booking.”
Bring your own skis or snowboard, or equipment rented elsewhere, to Ski & Board Traventuria in Bansko for base repair, hot waxing, polishing, and edge sharpening. Drop equipment off before closing and collect it the next morning. The shop operates daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the ski season.
“We rented equipment and had a ski teaching lesson with Denis. Both services were totally fine (also as from my begginers steps as skier)”
Collect skis, poles, and boots from Alpin Ski & Snowboard in central Borovets, close to the Rila slope and nearby hotels. You can arrange gear before arrival or visit the evening before skiing. Instructors including Georgi, Maria, George, Ivan, Jimmy, and Kalena may also be available separately for lessons.
“As complete beginners myself and children hired our equipment here and also had 3 family lessons with George. He was a great instructor and very patient and encouraging with my teenagers. Really enjoyed ourselves and will certainly be back. Other staff were very kind too and helped us with getting our boots on the first morning.”
Rent skis, poles, and boots for four days from Alpin Rent in central Borovets, directly beside the Rila slope and two chair lifts. Staff help with sizing and fittings, while instructors including Maria, Ivan, George, and Boris are available separately for lessons. Helmets, goggles, clothing, lift passes, insurance, and storage cost extra.
“I used the Alpin rent ski for another year's skiing in Borovets . The staff recognised me from previous years and I received a warm welcome. As I hate walking in ski boots the venue is perfect for me as I can ski in and out . I could ski to the gondola but caught a horse and cart back which was my little treat. The nursery slope right outside is perfect for that first warm up ski in the morning . There was also the 4 and 6 man chair lift very nearby .The equipment was excellent and I managed to stay on my feet apart from being wiped…”
Rent skis or a snowboard for six days from Alpin Ski & Snowboard in Borovets. You get good-quality equipment, slope-side access, and helpful staff including Boris. Opening hours run from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with lockers and boot drying available according to the service details.
“4th time of visiting borovets and always used the Alpin for ski hire ! Friendly and helpful staff and nothing is too much trouble . Equipment is good and upto date , all in all a very good experience and will definitely continue to use Boris and his staff for ski hire !”
Meet Twins Ski School at Banderishka Meadow for a private two-hour ski or snowboard lesson in Bansko. An instructor such as Martin, Donny, Chris, or Tsetso can tailor practice to your level, from first turns to red-run technique. Choose a morning or afternoon slot, with lessons held in English.
“We have just returned from Bansko with our 9 and 5 year old and booked with Twin Ski school and communication was excellent and easy through what’s app! We booked 2 hour session for 6 days fo both boys and they absolutely loved it! Teddy, their instructor was excellent with them and they couldn’t wait for their lessons everyday! They hadn’t really been skiing before and by the second day they were skiing on the ski road and their confidence and skills were improving with each session!! When we return we will definitely be booking with Twin Ski School again! Thank you Teddy! Gareth, Ffion, Alffi and Tomi.”
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