To take my family skiing last minute with no idea what I'm doing?

[jinglemybauble]

Found a ski trip in pamporovo bulgaria and it's super cheap. Leaves next week includes all ski hire lessons self catering and flights.

I have zero idea what I'm doing never been skiing but fancy going for it. My dh thinks I'm nuts and adamant it's a no.
Shall I just book it. Can it be that bad?! Anything I should know before I book it. Other than maybe I am nuts

Skiing is seriously tiring. I love it when we are there but theres so much to organise! We are going to France but leaving ski stuff at home this year.

Check out ski club of Great Britain and if you ski for snow reports and snow forecast for forecasted snow. I know people who have been there and there has been no skiing

And I wouldnt ever go to a ski resort if there was no snow, there is often little else to do

jinglemybauble if you go when there’s shit snow you might not even find enough to make decent snowmen!!!

@OoohTheStatsDontLie yes I'd agree with that we went to a slope when we were in Lapland last year didn't ski just sat on a plastic tray down the slope and tried to take our limbs, if there was snow there was zero to do!

No snow

My husband checks the snowcast everywhere, all season it’s his hobby I think. Me - we’re booked, we can’t change it, I’ll look out of the window when we get there.

Anyway... he said last night that Bulgaria was really struggling for snow this year. So I’d check that very carefully.

I know people who have been and thought it was fine. If you’ve just arrived from Zermatt though, you’ll think it’s crap! I think it’s a great idea as long as the snow is there for you, and you’re able to entertain yourselves in the afternoons when lessons are done (if you’re too tired or nervous to go alone)

So dh who's not with me atm has no said that there's an option to go la plagne
No idea but France is sounding better? That ones in a chalet though again no idea!

Thanks for all this advice dh seems to be coking round. But if he had his own way he'd withdraw the cost of the holiday and throw the cash up in the air at home then safely put it back in the bank rather than spend it he's so tight so I really have to hard sell this break...

Check if there is any snow in the resort before you book.
Otherwise I would say go for it.

I jumped on to this thread to say go for it.. skiing is a fantastic family holiday and there are always lots of newbies and there are always lots of kind people around to keep you right. If you're having lessons your day is kind of organised for you.

Then I read Bulgaria. It's awful. Admittedly, it was Borovets we went to (having been spoiled by France, Austria, Scotland and Canada. Yes, even Scotland is better!) Food was dire- school dinner standard and rarely served more than lukewarm , the lifts were often out of order, the roads and pavements were iced over and not gritted (several broken wrists on our flight home from falling on the pavements).

There were nightclubs blaring out music until 4 or 5 in the morning - and we weren't close to the nightclubs.

Never again! Look at fasttrackski or iglu for good deals in great resorts. I got an Esprit holiday at Les Arcs for 25% of the brochure price to go to a lovely catered chalet over Christmas a few years back.

I've skied many times, but not in Bulgaria, so can't comment on that.

You mentioned above that your DH wants ski lessons too. If you have never skied, you will all need ski lessons. You can't just put on your skis and boots and take off down the mountain!

I agree that you need to check on the snow conditions, it won't be much fun there if there's no snow!

Have you got time to spend a few hours at a snow dome? You could see if you all like skiing. I'm not particularly sporty, but went skiing with the school and loved it, and have been pretty much every year since then. I also know people who absolutely hate it.

Thanks @OllyBJolly Bulgaria not looking like I'm on a winner does it maybe dh right there anyone know la plagne?

Does the "inclusive" price definitely include the lift passes? If not this can be a significant extra, although maybe not so much on Bulgaria. France may be a better ski experience, but it will be a lot more expensive.

Have a look at their webcams. There looks as if there is some snow. Skiing on some of the slopes.

@Caribbeanescape yes ski lessons for all are included so I'm planning to try it out then retire for hot chocolates and cake for the rest of the time. Dh is sporty and looks down on my hot chocolate consumption plans so is happy to give it a go. I just want dc to see if they like they've had one lesson a year ago in snow dome and begged to be taken to the top of the slops the teacher said they were a natural I assumed that was just them trying to rope me into further lesson purchases but dc is very sporty and no fear type so don't think will be a big problem I will probably try to get one lesson in before we leave if we book.

La plagne is fantastic and definitely has snow atm. Lots of accommodation ski in ski out so perfect for beginners.

Yes lift passes ski resort pass boots skis and lessons.

@Aurignacian oooo I'm feeling the booking finger going DOWN!! Going to ring le husband and see what he reckons. Will say dc 6 can practise their french.

Croissant is possibly the extent of it...

Check the snow reports. What is the height of the resort? Lower it is, less likely there's snow. If there's no/little snow and the Bulgarian ski infrastructure isn't up to scratch you'll have a grim time on a horrible (icy, scrapy) surface.

La Plagne has good infrastructure and a good choice of pistes. We have a flat in the next resort along and in December ours is very hit and miss even at 1600-1800 metres. Often we arrive and the pistes are literally grassy fields at the lower end of the resort, even with snow machines working all night.

The deal might be so good because there's no snow!

We have a super cheap trip to France self catering in a fab resort driving. This is better!

@Volluto Where please? I'm toying with the idea. Great resort would be critical, wife doesn't ski....thanks!

La Plagne is nice.

We've just got back from a few days in La Plagne and the snow was amazing! It's made up of lots of small villages so depends on where you are actually staying but there is loads of high slopes so will be snow sure.

Snow looks good in La Plagne.read this. La Plagne is a collection of several villages. Check out the location of your accommodation. Ideally ski-in ski-out. If not, at least find out how far it is from the ski school meeting place. A long tramp in ski boots carrying your skis is no fun.

La plagne is is great beginners resort. Great snow usually too. 100% book that over Bulgaria unless you know there’s snow there and it’s a lot cheaper!

Essential to have lessons if you are beginners. No point going otherwise. You'll love it!