Complete beginner needs advice

[bulld]

Hi I am going skiing for my first time ever with my Wife and son 9 yrs old.
I got flights transfer and accommodation to bansko for 700 for a week in February. I now want to book some lessons Bansko ski packages / snowboard packages - ski rental , ski school , lift pass , snowboard school. Bulgaria , Borovetz

I will be there for 1 week how many lessons would a newbie normally do.
and would a newbie be able to ski for 6 days straight

would love some advise

Cheers
Bulld

[Mark]

Hi bulld, welcome to the forum.

My 2 cents.

In some places a 4 hour lesson each morning for 5 or 6 days, in others 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon for 5 or 6 days.
Lessons are a must.

A beginners week.

Day 1, falling down but lots of fun.
Day 2, you get the "nack" you love it.
Day 3, you hate it & will never ski again.
Day 4, you love it & and will ski for the rest of your life.
Day 5, you wish you had one more week.

[off-piste]

another vote for lessons : get lessons
I would recommend that you aim to get in a group of 10 or less, so that your instructor can actually spend time with you.

As Mark says, if you do lessons in the morning, have a nice lunch for say 1 hour, you will be rested enough to to another 2 or 3 hours after lunch.

Was it €700 for all 3 of ye ?

[Mark]

never buy your lift pass from your tour company, always from the lift operator.If the lifts are closed due to bad weather or other,they just give you your money back, but if their closed and you got you pass from the tour company you have to prove (to them) they were (closed) and then claim off them when you get home & thats not easy.

You can also buy a half day pass or skip a day.
It will also be cheaper

[Mark]

If your boots kill you no the first day,bring them back (every day, if you have to) you don`t have to suffer, it can ruin a good trip.

[Neiltoo]

Hi Bulld,
Welcome.

I checked out the link you gave to the Bansko packages and I would go for the "Full Ski Package" I would think that the 4 hours lessons would be 2 in am and 2 pm.

I'm sure you'll have no problem skiing 6 days straight.

I'm not sure where you are but if you can get to an artificial slope for a couple of lessons before you go it does help. Not essential and loads of people don't but everything will seem that bit less strange when you hit the snow if you have learned a few basic techniques and got used to the equipment.

Mark said:
If your boots kill you on the first day,bring them back (every day, if you have to) you don`t have to suffer, it can ruin a good trip.

Couldn't agree more with that, and if someone tells you that they are supposed to hurt... well, thats what the point on the end of your ski pole is for....

[mjl]

Hi Bulld,

I agree with the guys, if this is your first time skiing, you're definitely going to need those lessons. Learning in a group at this stage is always much more fun too.

The lessons in Bansko run from 10am - 12pm, with a break for lunch and back from 1pm - 3pm in the afternoon. I run a website offering the same packs as bulgariaski. You can check the learn to ski pack at http://www.snowandtrail.com Snow and Trail Although, you'll need to flip the currency to Euro, as I'm based in the North.

Thanks,

Mark

[bulld]

Hi Thanks Guys for the responses,
Mark I think the beginners week description was very funny I am a little worried i will jump straight to day 3 and stay there
Nah really looking forward to it now.

Yea off-piste it was 700 for all of us ( I booked everything myself no travel agent ) aer lingus 110 euro return each flight etc etc.If you want the details let me know.

Macski,
Thanks for the advise I am in Dublin. I have heard not to bother with artificial that it is completely different and many people end up with dislocated fingers.
I am a total newbie and have no idea, is the above untrue ?

MJl can you give me a price on ski passes and hire of all gear in Euro .Your prices look good in comparison to the link I put up. Also from the post above what is you policy if the lifts are closed due to bad weather ?.I arrive on the 21 and leave 28 February.

Thanks again
Bulld

[mjl]

Hi Bulld,

I've just checked the site and the lift pass comes back at 146 Euro and an adult learn to ski pack is 244 Euro. The prices are fixed in sterling and the exchange rate updates every night, so the prices will probably be slightly different next time you check.

I'll find out about the lift closures and will let you know how they deal with it.

Thanks,

Mark

ps. I've just noticed that Bulgariaski's prices are for the 07/08 season, so they have updated them yet.

[john510]

fair play for booking everything yourself Bulld ! The prices that some of these companies charge is ridiculous. You'd probably be adding an extra €750 to €1,000 for the same ski holiday.