 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hello me and three friends ( all 23 ) have just booked to Bulgaria borovets for jan 17th 2013.
We are staying at the hotel lion half board for seven nights. We paid a total of £470 each flying out from Manchester England to Sofia. The price includes flights transfer and ski package including board rental boots passes and lessons.
We got the ski package through skiholidayextras for £160
Just a couple of questions if any one could help a first timer. Does the price seem fair we booked it all independently?
Can we expect a good amount of snow? And any advice on the hotel would be great.
Also could any one give us advice on what type of ski clothing we will need. We don't want to pay ridiculous prices but want to buy some quality jackets etc that we could use again for next years trip. Can any one recommend some good brands for goggles pants jackets etc.
Sorry for all the questions 
Thanks Phil we appreciate the help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Hi Phil,welcome, my first 3 holidays were in Borovets, and I stayed at the Lion twice. Probably the better hotel although a little way out of town, they do run a shuttle bus though. Food was ok but not wonderful, bulgarians seem to prefer to eat warm not hot food, it's a buffet tho so not a lot you can do about that other than get down to brekkie on time so you snatch the beans before they congeal!! Snow is dependant on weather of course, who can tell? You should be ok in January and as first timers its not like you need extensive slopes, they do have snow cannons to help things along though.
TBH no need to spend a fortune on gear, keep an eye on tkmaxx and sports direct for cheap gear, even netto/aldi/lidl gear is servicable for a couple of trips. Take a couple of pairs of gloves each, as first time boarders you will be falling a lot, can't be helped but changing into dry gloves at lunchtime will keep you smiling.
Chilli peppers is the name of a reasonable bar in the town, the red lion did reasonable (by bulgarian standards) steaks, there are many pizza places dotted around, all seemed much of a muchness but fine. Food on mountain is pretty poor with the exception of the Yastrebets stone hut which is top of the gondola, they do awesome goulash soup and hot choc with rum.
I'm sure you'll have fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Dare2be is fine, I think you should be able to get it cheaper either at tkmaxx or sportdirect tho. My local tkmaxx had jackets today at closer to 40 quid, wait til dec and they'll be cheaper still unless your XS or XXL in which case buy before they run out.
You need something waterproof that breathes. Doesn't need to be goretex or cost a fortune but not a plastic mac either! Bulgaria even in January is not that cold unless you get wet either through sweating or because your clothes leak.
Avoid wearing cotton whilst boarding, if (when) you sweat cotton absorbs it and stays wet for ages which will make you cold. Last year I found inexpensive base layers in aldi, they were fine and will be coming away again this year. Fleece tops are good as a mid layer. Waterproof gloves, snowboard socks (tkmaxx), a neck gaiter (scarf tube that pulls over your head) and a helmet are really all you need other than your jacket/trousers.
There are a lot of technical fabrics out there and a lot of opinions on what is best. Seriously for a first trip you need not spend a fortune. I got goggles for my first trip 8 or so years ago from tkmaxx they were about £15, I'm still using them.
Make sure you buy the right size, wear a fleece when you try on jackets, if its too snug air won't get trapped to keep you warm plus if your straining at the zip you'll be uncomfortable when your trying to get back up every time you fall.
Remember to take sunscreen and lipbalm, the snow reflects the sun, my bald friend turned red in bulgaria during january one year, when he took his goggles off he looked like a red panda!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
I think you should be able to get it cheaper either at tkmaxx
|
Good stuff from TKMaxx, just old stock. I'm fully dressed by them with an Iguana Jacket and Maier trousers, both pretty good and warm. Beware of the stuff from Lidl, a mate bought a pair of their trousers, they make a very good sweat suit, not very comfortable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
And a third endorsement for tkmaxx. 
Their website has some of the available stuff up now, mostly jackets. They seem to run in the £40-£60 range. I got pretty much everything for my first trip from there. Pants, Jacket, baselayers and socks come to about £90. Goggles and gloves were a fiver each off of amazon, and I threw them away after the first season. Ive got better kit now, but absolutely nothing wrong with the tkmaxx stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you know someone with a Costco card, or indeed if you have one, they normally come up with some decent cheap stuff too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phil5589, impact shorts and wrist guards if you insist on boarding 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Phil5589, My snowboarding daughter says red 27 has told you all you really need, impact shorts and wrist guards! Though I have to disagree with andyrew on Lidl kit, I'm still happily using my Lidl softshell ski trousers from 3 years ago. Oh and keep an eye on Aldi for their merino base layer stuff, does the job fine with added advantage it doesn't get stinky after a couple of day use.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Tue 23-10-12 20:10; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Oh and eateries, (can't be sure I remember the name but think it was something like Georges or Georgies) we found a great place for steaks stews etc just up the slope from the Rila, on the left as you look up the hill, you have to duck through the button lift to get into it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
davkt, that brings back memories, yes we went there several times for a quick gluhwein!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
