Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School
Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School
4.5
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Dear customers, please leave your honest feedback. This will help us to improve our customer service and the quality of the product which we are providing. For the people who are leaving negative feedbacks to be refunded we want to inform you that this is not our practice so dont waste your time. Thank you.
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4.5
76 reviews
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Dorothy G
London, UK26 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
My review is a little biased as I know the people who run this facility - I think it best to be honest! However, I met Matt for the first time for my first skiing lesson two years ago, and since getting to know him better I can say that he is nothing if not a perfectionist. To non-Bulgarian visitors: it is difficult in Bulgaria to meet the standards set in France etc for skiing, and Borovets does not pretend to be a world class resort. However Matt brings his British standards and huge ambition to the Yanakiev school. He is passionate about winter sports and loves to share this with visitors - whether on the slopes or in the OTP bar afterwards. He will go far out of his way to help you have the best experience possible.
Written April 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBK_DK
London, UK2 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
I am motivated to write my first TripAdvisor review based on my experience with this place (even before we go home from Borovets tomorrow). Unfortunately, that experience was pretty bad.
The office was very friendly and helpful with booking the equipment rental and lessons beforehand via email. The location is great -- a bit away from the craziness at the base, right on the slope. The initial attraction was because of this and the good reviews. But for us, at least, the reality failed to live up to appearances.
The instructor for private snowboard lessons was lackadaisical and uninterested. He left us on our our own for significant stretches of time -- talking with friends on the mountain, on the phone, or going to the shop. He seemed to think that beginners need less attention, not more. Tips, advice, and warnings -- particularly around safety -- were cursory, at best. We couldn't help but notice that instructors from other schools on the beginner slope seemed much more engaged. On the second day, he bailed after an hour-and-a-half into what's billed as a two-hour lesson. Oh, and when the boots that I had used the day before apparently went missing, I was given the choice of others that were either a bit too big or a bit too small.
At the end of our time in Borovets, when I last returned the equipment I wanted to give this feedback to the person I had been dealing with at the office. He wasn't there, and I got a very surly attitude from the two dudes who were, enjoying some beers behind the counter (it was 3pm). I got through to him on the phone and said just about everything you read here, so this review does not come out the blue to the ski school.
If you are considering a trip to Borovets, based on my experience I can only recommend that you book lessons/equipment/etc. somewhere else.
The office was very friendly and helpful with booking the equipment rental and lessons beforehand via email. The location is great -- a bit away from the craziness at the base, right on the slope. The initial attraction was because of this and the good reviews. But for us, at least, the reality failed to live up to appearances.
The instructor for private snowboard lessons was lackadaisical and uninterested. He left us on our our own for significant stretches of time -- talking with friends on the mountain, on the phone, or going to the shop. He seemed to think that beginners need less attention, not more. Tips, advice, and warnings -- particularly around safety -- were cursory, at best. We couldn't help but notice that instructors from other schools on the beginner slope seemed much more engaged. On the second day, he bailed after an hour-and-a-half into what's billed as a two-hour lesson. Oh, and when the boots that I had used the day before apparently went missing, I was given the choice of others that were either a bit too big or a bit too small.
At the end of our time in Borovets, when I last returned the equipment I wanted to give this feedback to the person I had been dealing with at the office. He wasn't there, and I got a very surly attitude from the two dudes who were, enjoying some beers behind the counter (it was 3pm). I got through to him on the phone and said just about everything you read here, so this review does not come out the blue to the ski school.
If you are considering a trip to Borovets, based on my experience I can only recommend that you book lessons/equipment/etc. somewhere else.
Written February 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SandraS00
Essex, UK48 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
If you are a guest at The Club Hotel Yanakiev then you really should consider booking here. We loved it!
If you are not a guest I would still suggest booking the Yanakiev Ski School.
Firstly I was apprehensive about booking because as you can see from previous comments there is another company claiming to give discounts to Yanakiev and my worry was which one was the fake and which real! So I called the hotel and they gave me the direct email and phone number for Mitko who was very helpful and booked me and my family in for 4 hours ski school per day with our own instructor. We had boots, ski's, ski poles, helmets and lift passes all in the package which worked out cheeper than our holiday operator was charging with the added benefit of skiing from the door of our hotel!
The Bulgarians are a very relaxed nation and to us brits it can almost seem like indifference! However you will soon see that is far from indifference and that they are super helpful and efficient!
Our wonderful ski instructor Vesko Vasilev took us 4 only out every day and was super flexible on times. Basically we got to choose our schedule daily! He instructed as required and guided us to the slopes that he knew we would manage. He was great with the children and they loved having him there to help and assist and teach them the etiquette of skiing. As I wasn't as confident a skier as the rest of my family it was a real comfort to know they were in good hands of an experienced local. Some of the larger ski schools cannot offer such a wealth of experience as they hire instructors on contract for the winter from all over the world.
Our fellow travellers were speaking on the return coach journey of stressful mornings queuing with 450 people to get ski's and boots on and having to be down for 8.30am to get ready and out. While we just strolled into our hotel reception where the ski depot was located 20 mins before our lesson and had our boots and ski's all ready for us. Because it is small and personal you can just leave your personal belongings safely in the changing area which is manned all day by the depot staff.
You need to take on their pace and attitude to things to really enjoy Bulgaria! RELAX!
If you are not a guest I would still suggest booking the Yanakiev Ski School.
Firstly I was apprehensive about booking because as you can see from previous comments there is another company claiming to give discounts to Yanakiev and my worry was which one was the fake and which real! So I called the hotel and they gave me the direct email and phone number for Mitko who was very helpful and booked me and my family in for 4 hours ski school per day with our own instructor. We had boots, ski's, ski poles, helmets and lift passes all in the package which worked out cheeper than our holiday operator was charging with the added benefit of skiing from the door of our hotel!
The Bulgarians are a very relaxed nation and to us brits it can almost seem like indifference! However you will soon see that is far from indifference and that they are super helpful and efficient!
Our wonderful ski instructor Vesko Vasilev took us 4 only out every day and was super flexible on times. Basically we got to choose our schedule daily! He instructed as required and guided us to the slopes that he knew we would manage. He was great with the children and they loved having him there to help and assist and teach them the etiquette of skiing. As I wasn't as confident a skier as the rest of my family it was a real comfort to know they were in good hands of an experienced local. Some of the larger ski schools cannot offer such a wealth of experience as they hire instructors on contract for the winter from all over the world.
Our fellow travellers were speaking on the return coach journey of stressful mornings queuing with 450 people to get ski's and boots on and having to be down for 8.30am to get ready and out. While we just strolled into our hotel reception where the ski depot was located 20 mins before our lesson and had our boots and ski's all ready for us. Because it is small and personal you can just leave your personal belongings safely in the changing area which is manned all day by the depot staff.
You need to take on their pace and attitude to things to really enjoy Bulgaria! RELAX!
Written February 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liabellie
Southampton, UK4 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
As a complete novice to skiing I was very apprehensive but agreed to have a go. Whilst staying in Borovets I had three lessons with Yanakiev ski school and found them to be excellent- I achieved far more than I had initially thought possible. I also rented ski equipment from them on the last lesson and both my partner and I agreed that it was of good quality. My first two lessons were with Mona who was very good but unfortunately and unexpectedly left during the week so the final one was with Mikso (?) who was also excellent. An hours lesson for one person cost 50 lev (just over ÂŁ20) and ski hire was 15 lev for a half day or 25 lev for a full day (ÂŁ7/ÂŁ10).
Overall they were brilliant and I would highly recommend- thank you for getting me skiing!
Overall they were brilliant and I would highly recommend- thank you for getting me skiing!
Written March 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fvelden
Bucharest, Romania1 contribution
Feb 2013 • Family
Just got back from a week in Borovets. My son had ski lessons and a snow board lesson. We also had equipment hire. Service was excellent and all instructors were very friendly and helpful. They were brilliant with the little ones. I would certainly go back here again.
Written February 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise W
Oxford, UK20 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
Just spent a week in Borovets and used Yanakiev Ski School for ski lessons. Had two instructors and they were both really good with adults and children. Considerate and caring but at the same time keen to push the groups on to make good progress. Thank you to all the staff for their friendly service.
Written February 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sami K
12 contributions
Jun 2017
We had a perfect stay during June. Very good location for all sport activities. Very close to slops in winter. Very friendly staff. The hotel is 4 stars , but we felt as staying in 5 stars hotel. By the way the food is perfect.
Written June 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
john s
Northamptonshire, UK28 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Back again this year and following various emails with mitko we booked in our two boys to have two hours per day as really it was their first time skiing.
Vesko took them and was fab by sorting out the initial problems on the first day.
By the end of the week I was coming down the rila blue/red run with them unaided.
Its a much better way of doing it than ski school and gets them up to speed asap
Vesko took them and was fab by sorting out the initial problems on the first day.
By the end of the week I was coming down the rila blue/red run with them unaided.
Its a much better way of doing it than ski school and gets them up to speed asap
Written March 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilHowell
Honiton, UK91 contributions
Dec 2016
Excellent ski school, a total beginner and our instructor was both very patient and explained everything very well. One two hour lesson had taught us enough to start skiing with the basics, we then had a second lesson which taught us enough to be a bit more adventurous and conquer the drag lifts along with turning. Thanks guys, excellent service.
Written January 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nick e
dover4 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
both my son aged 5 and my daughter aged 4 spent a week in the yanakiev ski school. the instructors were patient, kind and attentive as well ss speaking good english. Both children improved their skiing immeasuably during the week with their confidence growing day by day as they were gradually introduced to different techniques and grades of piste. The equipment provided was of a good standard and was personally fitted to each child ensuring comfort and safety. We will certainly be going back there next year.
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much is it to hire ski's boots and how much is a lift pass cost per day kind regards Paul
Written June 24, 2019
Hi Paul sorry I have my own boots have not hired for years but they are all very reasonable I know from others letting us know . The lift pass is half day to full day its around ÂŁ25 a day
Written June 25, 2019
Hi, I am looking to book ski lessons and hire for a week in December. How do I find out about the packages and book? Thanks
Written August 16, 2018
Hi and thanks for your inquiry. You can contact us on yanakiev @ snowandwakebulgaria . com or mitkosml @ gmail . com. Awaiting for your reply.
Regards
Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard Team
Written August 18, 2018
Hi there, We are looking at going to the Yanakiev hotel and wondered if the ski school is any good, how much the lessons were including ski hire and passes? Did you stay at the hotel Yanakiev and if you did, where did you store your skiing kit? I would be very grateful if you would assist us in answering our Questions. Many thanks indeed.
Louise and Greg Holmes
Written February 11, 2018
YanakievSchool
Borovets, Bulgaria
Hi Louise,
Our ski school is based in hotel Yanakiev. We are ski in ski out depot so you can just take your gear and go out to ski! Yes we are a school with limited spaces available as our goal is to provide quality not quantity. We are not the cheapest but not the most expensive in the resort. So if you are searching for balanced priced product and good quality we are the school which you are searching for. Please notice if you rent a gear from some other place and you want to store it in our depot there will be additional charge of 2.5EUR per night per person. In case you need more useful information or anything else please don't hesitate to ask!
Regards
Yanakiev Team
Written February 11, 2018
Hi do you do family ski lessons or do adults and children go separate?
Written February 8, 2018
YanakievSchool
Borovets, Bulgaria
Hello Catherine,
Yes we do Family packages but really that depends of the abilty of the participants. If you want write us an email or check our FB page where you can click on offers and you will see our family pack. Any more questions feel free to ask
Thanks
Yanakiev Team
Written February 9, 2018
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