Bulgaria Ski discussion board

My husband and I are off to Pamp on Boxing day and are both complete novices. There are a few qeustions I still need answering despite reading all the top tips that people have written on here already - it has been interesting reading!
1. Obviously we are expecting a few aches and pains... Is deep heat / ice spray the thing to take or have you got any other suggestions?
2. What do you wear underneath skiing trousers and do we just wear one pair of ski tube socks??!
3. We are flying from Manchester at 6.20am on Boxing day and flying to Plovdiv - can we expect to be able to hit the slopes on boxing day or will we have to wait until the 27th to start our lessons? (We have booked a learn to ski pachake with 6 days woth of lessons with our tour op).
Hope some of you can answer my daft questions! Thanks!

Not daft at all Sarah.

Yes we all get a few aches but that comes with the sport, but using a spray or any other quick fix can actually cause more harm than good if you have an actual injury.

Take some Radox and have a good, long hot soak after skiing. You shouldn't have any long lasting problems that will prevent you from having a great time.

Layers are better than thickness when it comes to clothing. Having skied Pamporovo for 12 years now I usually wear thermal long johns (very sexy) under my ski trousers and that is fine for me. As a lady, I would suggest you also wear a pair of thermal tights and you will be fine.

Comfort for the feet is the most important thing of all. Get some good quality thermal socks and make 100% certain that your boots fit correctly. If not get them changed otherwise they will ruin your holiday.

You will not ski on boxing day.
If you fly at 6.20am you have a 3 hour flight plus there is a 2 hour time gap. This should mean you will arrive in Plovdiv at approx. 11.20am. By the time you clear baggage it will be at least noon, then you have a 90 minute transfer. Then you have to check in and by that time you will probably be too knackered anyway to ski.

Have an early night and prepare for the next day. I promise you it will be a day you will remember for the rest of your life.

E N J O Y B U L G A R I A

Pamporovo Pete

I can only echo Pete's comments regarding layers. The temperature can vary depending on where you are on the mountain and then change quite quickly and particularly if you are in a beginners class you may initially have some standing about taking it in turns to fall over / stand up etc.... I have always found it useful to wear a small backpack to carry a fleece in, together with anything else that my wife and two kids can think of to stuff in there! You will soon warm up once you start moving and it is important to to be able to 'strip off'. If you get too hot and start to sweat your inner clothing will become damp and then as soon as you stop or get in a lift queue etc... the moisture will cool on you and you will feel cold. Everyone will have their preferences but if it is only a degree or two below freezing and not windy you may find that you do not need anything below your salopettes. Ensure that you have waterresistant / proof salopettes and good gloves, both will come into contact with a lot of snow in your first few days, again if it is very cold the snow will brush off the salopettes, but in milder weather it will start to melt quickly.
A few choccy bars can help maintain the energy levels.
Whilst we shouldn't make light of potential hazards on mountains, you will not be doing any extreme mountaineering (although it will probably feel like it in that first bath) if you remain 'on piste' you will never be far from a cafe and a warm drink.
I'm sure you will both have a great time. Bill

I wear thermals and a pair of sweatshirt type joggers under my sallopettes - rather be too hot than too cold! and less restrictive than tights. Make sure you don't tuck anything other than your socks into your ski boots - just pull or roll up your thermals to above the top of the boot. I learnt the hard way the first year we went and got a nasty sore where the seam on my thermals rubbed.

I used an ibuprofen type gel when going to bed and when I got up - found it helped me.

Hope these are handy tips

Ellie