FAQ’s: Ski/Board Hire, Lessons, Lift Passes & Transfers

Todorka mountain and ski domain. Picture: 13th March 2009

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

please read these FAQ’s before emailing your question. Thank you.

May I store my skis overnight in the ski shop?

Yes, you may store your ski or snowboard boots (and even your own boots), your hire skis/snow boards and poles.
storage is free.

May I swap skis or boots during the rental period?

Yes, this service is free of charge

What are VIP skis and snowboards?

These are skis for intermediates skiers upwards.
They are stiffer and more responsive.
You need VIP or advanced skis to really learn how to carve (for skiing) well.

What are advanced skis?

Only for advanced skiers.
These are a collection of premium skis from Head (SuperShape), Hart (slalom and giant slalom) and WhiteDot (freeride skis).
You can change between these makes (subject to availability).

Where Is Your Ski Shop In Bansko?BanskoBlog uses BanskoSkiMania. Two shops separated by just 30 metres.

BanskoSkiMania
115 Pirin Street, Bansko.
50 metres from gondola building entrance. You can’t miss them. Map on ski packages page.

Am I Safe Paying Online?

We use PayPal. The worlds most biggest and most respected online independent payment system.
Our privacy policy is that we never store your credit card details. Your order is processed entirely within PayPal.

Do I Need A PayPal Account?

No, you do not need a PayPal account
Follow the instruction on the payment request we send you
PayPal accepts most Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards

What Is Your Privacy Policy?

Privacy Policy: we do not store credit card details; nor do we share, sell or rent customer details with any third parties

What Is The Happiness Guarantee?

If you are not genuinely not happy with your ski/board instructor, then tell George the same day, and you will receive an extra like for like lesson for FREE.
You can change your skis and boots to other models of the same price brand, or less, as many times as you wish
If cancellation is due to airline flight cancellation, leading you to cancel your holiday, then 100% refund. You must advise us before day of hire/lessons
If pregnancy prevents you from traveling to Bansko you receive a 95% refund of monies paid for ski/snowboard hire and lessons
We are unable to refund monies paid for lift passes

What Ski and Snowboard Brands Do You Stock?

All hire equipment is manufactured by recognised brands such as Atomic, Burton, Fischer, Head, Rossignol, Salomon, Volkl etc

Do the Ski Instructors Speak My Language?

All ski instructors speak English, Russian and Bulgarian. Some speak Greek and French too (notify us in advance please)

At what time do Skimania lessons start? Morning: 10:00 Afternoon: 13:00 How long are the lessons? 2 hours Where do we meet for lessons?

At Banderishka Poliana by the big PISTE MAP; i.e. at the top of the gondola lift walk straight ahead.
Skimania will point this location out to you in the shop

Are All Your Ski Instructors Properly Qualified?

All instructors are ISIA qualified.

When Do I receive My Booking Reference Number?

Your reference number is inserted into your booking form and sent within five days of your payment being received. Please print this out and take to skimania
Your transfer booking contact and tel number are sent to you at least seven days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

If cancellation is due to airline flight cancellation leading you to cancel your holiday then 100% refund.
Cancellations to be notified at least 48 hours before hire date.
We refund monies within seven working days of receipt of your email. We will confirm receipt of your email within two working days
We are unable to refund for missed planes, visa issues, illness

Lesson Cancellation Policy

If you miss or cancel your lesson time allocated, you are not due a refund.
If you need to change your time of lessons, skimania are under no obligation to do this and you may lose your payment.

Lift closure

If lifts are closed fully or partially there is no refund. Please be insured for such situations.

Who Are We?

Lance Nelson owns BanskoBlog. For more him go to http://banskoblog.com/about.
For five years Lance has been providing trusted and respected information on banskoblog.com.
Bansko Blog has over 20,000 readers per month.
Bansko Blog has up to 38,000 visits in ski season.
Bansko Blog app (it’s free) for iphone, ipad and ipod touch has over 2,000 downloads
Lonely Planet blog contributor,
welove2ski.com snow reporter
zavedenia.com official partner

Who Provides The Ski And Snowboard Hire And Lessons?

SkiMania. They have been trading for eleven years. Your contract for hire and lessons is with them.

How Do I Book My Ski/Snow board Hire & Lessons?

Follow the instructions on banskoblog.com: Ski Packages and complete online form
Register for newsletter on banskoblog.com for more info on Bansko including free guide.
Complete the form with what you need, we check. and within 48 hours we send you a payment request via paypal credit/debit card. VISA & MASTERCARD cards accepted.
Within 48 hours you will receive payment confirmation and reference number/voucher in four days.

How Do I Book My Lift Pass?

Only available for ski hire/lessons clients
Follow the instructions on banskoblog.com: Ski Packages
Use online form as for the ski hire/lessons and transfer
Register for newsletter on banskoblog.com
Click submit online
We send you a paypal request or pay direct by credit/debit card
3, 6 and 13 day lift passes only

I have an Excel booking form, is this valid?

No, only the online booking form is valid

Do The Lift Passes Include Piste Insurance?

No, it is essential you take out adequate ski insurance
Off piste skiing and snowboarding is often excluded on policies. Read the terms carefully

Do I need Medical Insurance In Bulgaria?

Yes, it is required by law

How do I book my ski package?

go to the ski packages page on banskoblog.com for the online form

Can I book using a manually system to complete?

No, you need to complete the online form.

How Do I Pay For My Ski Snowboard Packages?

Receive a PayPal request. Make payment to Bansko Blog account as per simple instructions from PayPal.
Email or call by telephone +359(0)892 348600 with your credit card details and they will be processed via PayPal terminal

Why Use PayPal?

There are many reasons why people prefer using PayPal, but here are the top ones:
It’s safer: When you pay with PayPal your financial details are never shared with sellers or retailers, so you’re more protected against fraud. Learn more about online security with PayPal. Check out the PayPal.com Safety Advice Centre.
It’s faster: Because you don’t have to type in your card details each time you pay, you can check out faster online. You can also get eBay items delivered more quickly, as you can pay the seller instantly.
It’s easier: PayPal is the preferred web payment method because it’s simply a smarter, way to pay online. All you need is your email address and a password to pay in just a few clicks.

I am A Beginner. How Many Lessons Should I Book With You?

It depends on your fitness. If you are reasonably active and fit, you should book full day lessons for first 3 days and half day lessons thereafter.
If you are not so active normally then consider a half day lesson to start with then a few full day lessons.
Remember you are on holiday. Make time for a spa, a swim and ice skate and a few nights out. Bansko has plenty to offer the new skiier/snowboarder

How Much Is A Private Instructor For Two People (or three or four) people?

there are lessons for private 1 to 1 (totally private) and 1 to 2. One (instrutor) to two person lessons make a cheaper alternative
family and friends lessons are perfect for when you just all want to be together. You must either all ski or all snowboard.

Should My Child Ski Or Snowboard?

Children under 10, in general, should start skiing first rather than snowboarding.

Should My Child Have Private or Group Lessons?

Children from aged 6 should have group lessons. They are great fun. Children under 6 either kindergarten (book on arrival with Ulen in gondola) or a private lesson

What Age Can My Child Learn To Ski?

Banskoskimania suggest children from 6 years can learn to ski in groups

Do You Hire Helmets?

Children have FREE helmet hire.
Adult helmets available for hire (special ladies models available)
To purchase a helmet, try ebay for good deals. Check out top brands like Giro. PAC etc. Go for your best fit.

When Is The Latest I can Book Before My Hire/Lesson Date?

This is a prepay offer and is available up to FIVE working days before day of hire / lessons / lift pass.
Hire / lessons / lift pass / transfer are only confirmed after payment is received

What Happens If I Lose Or Damage Hire Equipment?

You are responsible in case of loss of skis.
Please take out travel of general insurance that covers ski theft.
BanskoSkiMania will mend or repair broken or damaged items for an “at cost” fee.

I Would Like Hire And Lessons For Periods Longer Than 14 Days

How Do I Recognise My Transfer Driver At The Airport?

You will be sent all details 7 days before travelling including transfer telephone number
You driver will hold a card with the lead booking written upon it
You must have received confirmation from transfer company prior to departure.

Can I have My Transfer From Sofia (rather than the airport)?

Yes, please specify pick up time and hotel/apartment and address

Can I have my transfer from Plovdiv?

Yes, typically for a small premium

Can I have a transfer from Thessaloniki?

Yes, costs a little more, but email for a quote

What Sized Vehicle Do I need For My Transfer?

The online booking form requests number of bags (including boots and hand luggage), skis/snowboards. We take a look at this and will advise if you need a larger vehicle.
As a guide, carriage of skis and snowboards will require a larger sized vehicle.
Check in baggage also mean a larger vehicle may be required.

How Long Should I Allow To Get To The Airport / To Bansko?

Allow three hours each way.
If weather conditions are really poor, then we may advise longer.
Journey time early morning or late evening is 2 hours 40 minutes (without stopping).

Should I tip my instructor / transfer driver?

Yes tipping is much appreciated (salaries are very low in Bulgaria compared to most of Europe)
tip 5% approx if you are happy with the service
tip 10% approx if you are very happy with the service

What are your terms and conditions?