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

Thanks @TrickyD as a direct result of this thread abandoning Bulgaria. Googling the @"?* out of la plagne right now

Ditch Bulagria.

Ideally you want to be staying around 2000m to guarantee good snow. La plagne is 1900 something so is usually fine. You can also cross over to les arcs, vallandry etc on the cable car. Decent ski resorts will have good piste bashing, good mountain rescue if you get injured, and snow cleared around the resort to walk easily. Also if the snow does fall loads, you want a country that clears the roads well, otherwise you will struggle trying to get to resort from the airport (more likely to happen in bulgaria)

Lift passes are usually the most expensive part of a ski trip. Most french resorts around €50 per day each for lift pass.

Is self catering ok for first timers? Just read it's not so great?

I've never skiied but we went to Garmisch Partenkirchen in Germany in December last year and the set up was ace. We went roaming, there was plenty of snow and everything was reasonably priced, lots of local restaurants with nice food too.

Toboganning. Not roaming, although there was plenty of that too!

Why would self catering not be OK for first timers?
I don’t think level of interest in cooking for yourself (or budget requiring it) has anything to do with whether you’ve been on skis before!

La Plagne is a big resort with something for everyone. You can’t go wrong as long as you’re close to the slopes. Do it!!!!

Self catering can be a bit of a hassle in ski resorts, possibly unexpectedly so if you’re a first timer? If you drive then it’s easy as you can stop at a big supermarket en route but once you’re up the mountain it’s typically a bit of a walk (possible hobble as a beginner because your legs will be killing you) to an overpriced Spar with a really limited selection. Fine if you’re happy to alternate meals out with simple stuff like pasta though!

You also need snow

ste name Possible skiing/boarding
Slope 1 - Yazovira (The Small Wall) No
Slope 6 - Pamporovo (Tourist) Yes
Slope 4 - Snejanka No
Slope 11 - Kartola Yes
Slope 12 – Stoykite 1 No
Slope 12А – Stoykite 2 No
Fun park - half pipe n/a
Slope 2 - The Wall No
Slope 3 – Arch. Petar Petrov (European cup) No
Slope 4A - Snezhanka No
Slope 5A - BypassMalina No
Slope 7 - Orlovetz No
Slope 8 - Perelik (South) n/a
Slope 10 - Delyovo dere (Ladies slalom) Yes
Slope 13 – Border cross (Race track) n/a
Slope Mechi chal No
Slope 1A - Bypass (Small Wall) No
Slope 5 - Malina No
Slope 9 - Smolyan lakes No

Don’t go to Bulgaria, go to La Plagne.
Lots of snow, short transfer, ski in/out. Great for beginners, French food...

Do it!!!

Don't see why self-catering would be an issue for newbies, we've always done it (own flat). I suppose if you're staggering back every night bruised and broken you might not feel up to cooking.

If you can't stock up en route do be aware that the 'supermarket' in the resort will be a tiny spar, with hardly anything (especially lacking in fresh veg and fruit) and it will be extremely expensive.

Val Thorens great snow, several supermarkets well priced and lots of apartments accommodation from basic to luxury. Always book with Erna Low for self-drive
Have had amazing chalet deals with Chaletline www.chaletline.co.uk
Admittedly we tend to go week before Xmas so slightly off season.

Please do not go skiing in Bulgaria. A family friend was involved in a tragedy there and the services both medical and mountain rescue were horrific. Please do not go.

Check where you will be in relation to ski lift and if it’s not really close then you’ll need to drive it or see if there’s a free bus. No fun getting tired children back at end of day oh long walk, with all equipment. Or else rent lockers either on slope or at lift.
As others have said, stock up at big supermarkets on way up- with stuff that’s as easy to cook as poss plus breakfast stuff.
Also may want to take something to watch films on, esp with tired children at end of day!

Pamparovo is great for beginners. Go for it.

It’s not Val d’Isère or Kitzbuhel however, the locals are lovely and it’s not full of knobheads

January is too cold for me to go skiing, and I really don't want whingey cold children - so maybe take that into consideration when you're booking?

It's skiing that first got me onto Mumsnet in 2003! Wanted to find a skiing holiday suitable for my very young children. There are loads of threads on here.

We're thinking of Norway this year.

I have skied both France and Bulgaria and usually go several times a year.
Book the holiday in Bulgaria everything is included by the looks of your post. If someone doesn't enjoy it you haven't spent a fortune and alternative activities are cheaper there. Yes France, Italy and Austria are better but cost double and as a beginner you aren't going to get the benefit of extensive slopes because you will be learning the basics. Yes its tiring but you are outdoors having fun a family.

I took my son and daughter to Bansko in Bulgaria and Son loved it and goes elsewhere now and daughter enjoyed it at the time but didnt want to go again so it saves me paying for something she wont enjoy.

Hope you book it and hope you have a fab time. x

Ski fitness is very different than other fitness, You should specificallyy exercise certain muscle groups. People dont that why they break legs, cruciate ligaments etc . Many people also train on a dry ski slope first. I would say it was foolhardy.

Currently in decathlon pricing up the extras...

La Plagne is a good option (although some bits are very low so poor snow eg Plagne Village I think

Last minute chalet deals are often very good value as the company wants to fill the spaces (as they are already paying rent & staff). Alpine Answers is a good website for last minute chalet deals.

BUT January is really not an ideal introduction to skiing. Very short daylight hours, icy pistes, freezing face and fingers. I would be nervous that it could put DC or DH off forever.... Mind you I am a fair weather person with fair weather DC.

We went to pamporovo last year and loved it. It's great for beginners as lessons are 4 hours a day. Small enough resort to bump into the kids during the day.

Just check the distance from the ski lift as it can be a pain if you have to travel. Also the transfer is 4 hours.

Join the Facebook group for tips and tricks.

Arrive at least 30 mins earlier than your lesson time as it takes ages to get your boots on when you are starting out.

Take pain relief, disposable hand warmers.

Enjoy!!