Skiers, nearly all better than me, whizzed by doing moves I could only dream of, driving up clouds of snow as they zigzagged down the slope.
But I didn’t mind being in with the rookies here in the Pirin Mountains, in Bansko.
Because this, my first ski trip, was the realisation of a long-held dream. And it was better than I ever imagined.
I’d enviously listened to school friends’ tales and desperately wanted to try skiing for myself, but circumstance – and expense – kept it out of reach. What if I spent thousands, only to hate it?
Then I heard about Bulgaria. Skiers enthused it offered great snow without the expense of Val d’Isere or Whistler.
Knowing nothing about skiing, I was a bit nervous about how it all worked. Thankfully, Balkan Holidays led me by the hand from the moment I landed in Sofia and picked up the transfer.
After two hours, we were in Bansko, a small medieval town in Bulgaria’s south west that has been rejuvenated by skiing. After two drop-offs, we pulled up outside the five-star Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena that backed on to the gondola station and the following morning headed out to collect our ski passes.
Cossy Orjiakor:: 'You don’t have to Work Very Hard to Get Money".
I made the most of a brilliant hotel breakfast beforehand – I guessed I’d need the energy – and headed for the equipment queue to be measured up for the boots and skis that would be mine for the next five days. I hoped we’d get on.melissa thompson ski holiday bulgaria Thrilled: Melissa in action
The gondola journey 2km up the mountain provided a glorious panorama over the forest below. Then I noticed the runs – all of which seemed terrifyingly steep. I never imagined I’d make it down some of them a few days later.
At the ski centre, Banderishka Polyana, we were split into ability groups. My partner Kate is an advanced skier and would spend the week tackling black runs and jumps. With 16 runs in total – 30% for beginners, 45% intermediate and 25% for advanced – there was enough to keep everyone happy.
And even though we didn’t get decent, fresh snow until halfway through our week, the 44 snow cannons ensure there’s enough cover across the whole site.
My instructor Rossen immediately put me and the other newbies in my group at ease. He had an almost Zen-like manner as he took us through the basics. He calmly went through snow ploughing, getting us to repeat moves until we grasped the basics.
Then there were attempts at actually skiing. Even though I couldn’t have been going more than 2mph, I was thrilled.
The gondola area at Bansko is a thriving, bumping mix of music, restaurants and bars that all served similar basic, yet a bit pricey, fare. A chicken soup and traditional salad with a hot chocolate set me back about £15.
AFP People enjoy the snow under a ski gondola ferrying up to Banderishka polyana ski resort near Bansko
Views: The gondola sweeps over skiers
Every afternoon we went over what we’d mastered in the morning, before pushing ourselves even more.
I was happily exhausted as I met up with Kate in the gondola to go back to the hotel. We headed for the spa, which had three different saunas, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and a snow room – just in case there wasn’t enough outside.
All that left us famished and we were never short of dining options. Our dinner in the hotel’s Sushi Bar & Teppanyaki Grill was as entertaining as it was tasty as our chef knocked up fantastic rice, meat and fish dishes before our eyes.
Another night, we were treated to an evening of Bulgarian dance.
The cobbled streets of Bansko’s old town were rammed with choices, too. Most nights we’d wander into a local taverna for a glass of the inexpensive but lovely Bulgarian red wine.
During the rest of the week, I couldn’t believe how far the group progressed. By the end I’d managed a couple of blue runs and was delighted. Zigzagging across a mountainside was as good as I’d hoped.
I understood what all the fuss was about – and there was nowhere else I would have wanted to lose my skiing cherry than Bulgaria.
Thanks for keeping me informed about the affordable family ski vacations. I think you also mentioned some family ski packages which are affordable.
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