Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hello all

I'm new to this forum and never been on a ski holiday before. Doh! My brother and I arrive in Plovdiv 8 March and we have only booked flight. I have holidayed many summers and am familiar with Black Sea coast rather than inland and mountain / resorts.

Would you recommend hiring a car to drive from Plovdiv airport to resort. We dont know yet which resort to goto so any comments on drive time and how easy it is for obtaining directions to each resort would be appreciated.

Given the recent bad weather in UK & Ireland I'm beginning to think is it a good idea to hire a car or just arrange transfer from airport?

Which resort is :

a) cheapest
b) liveliest for apres-ski

as I'm sort of coming to the conclusion we will find all resorts have enough to keep the absolute beginner occupied

Also - do you have any recommendations for accomodation? We will be staying 4/5 days and looking for a hotel,B&B or apartment

any pointers appreciated

Paddy (yes from Ireland!)

Firstly Paddy I would say you are being far too adventurous if you have never skied before. You need to be prepared for what lies ahead or you will spend half your holiday wondering where to go and what to do.

There are a lot of things you need to arrange.

Ski hire.
Lift pass.
Accomodation. (early March could see accomodation limited)
Lessons (essential if you want to learn properly)

Your nearest resort from Plodiv is Pamporovo which is approx. 90 minutes drive (when you know the way.) The road is lonely, narrow and windy as it slowly creeps up the mountain. It can also be very dangerous with ice and snow and often the police will only allow you to accend the mountain if you are using snow chains.

My advice would be to think again and try to book a package that includes all you need as mentioned above.

Pete