Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Ok so come on then those in the know or those who can have an educated guess or those who may have heard rumors in the pub or otherwise.

What will Ulen be doing once the 2011 season ends for the 2012 season?
This year it was two new lifts - will that be it now for years or will they do something?

I recall early summer last year Steve c or similar talking about the lift changes but also a new run up top on plateau now clearly the new run didn't happen so is that what is coming? Was the lift part one then new run as the change?

Come on all all peeps post up.

All we know is that the expansion of the area, this will include Dobriniste and Kulinoto, is being put before the Parliment, and the total that is being applied for will total 330km..
Tourist usage within the park boundaries will be increased to an area representing 12.5% of the total park area, an increase from the existing 3.3%...
Take from this what you will, this is not talk, this is actually happening
If we are to base proposals of expansion on planning applications, a permission has been sought for the construction of a restaurant and spa complex in the Damienitsa valley ??? also take from this what you will

Just out of interest Bulgaria Pete........

We all hear rumours and we all see things printed in papers and on the news pages on the internet and so alot of information has come from this. Maybe this is rumour mongers etc etc but why is it everytime Steve C puts a post on you have to dismiss everything?? I notice you have done this on other forums too. Steve gets info as we all do from the media but also from people we know who work for Ulen etc etc and quite high up too. We don't want people to think we just post things for the hell of it we do try to give people info that is being given out by other bodies.
If you know any different or have inside information why do you not just share it rather than dismissing information others have been given???
We are very big fans of Bansko that is why we live here and want to promote the area and give guests and owners information when we have anything. Im sure we should all be working together not dissing each other!!!

Its not Steve thats sensitive he doesn't even know I have posted this as he is skiing on the mountain. I just don't like people making silly comments against each other and its not just these its all the stupid arguing that comes with forums. Talk Bansko is one the worst for it!! I think if we are gonna have debates we dont need to aim comments at each other just put our own points over without having to name others and ridiculing them.

Have you skied Dobrinishte Pete?? Or been to Kulinotto at all?? These areas are included in the number of km's the report is talking about. Theres plenty of room for expansion over in dobrinishte but I am not sure about Kulinotto as take the poor snow there this season!!! I doubt they managed to open at all!!!
This report is not one we have put up ourselves its one that has come from the newspapers and been reported in other area's too. Perhaps a bit pie in the sky but there has to be some truth in there somewhere. We only hope that progress continues and expansion is a reality.

The 2nd gondola if it happens again is something that they have said WILL BE DONE and yes it will take at least 18months but is it needed anyway when there are only possibly 3weeks in the season that demands it?? If expansion is to go ahead and we do get more tourists coming as they will look for a cheaper alternative in these times then yes but as it is at the moment I think there is not a definate need. i may be wrong but that is my own personal feeling. They could be better spent on upgrading the eating places on the mountain etc etc and installing tows etc in area's that people have commented on ie the area across the Shilli restaurants!! Perhaps even spending money on promoting the summer to get all year round tourism ie bike park!!
We love bansko and so look for any glimmer of hope for new projects and updating of anything here for us but also for the tourist's.

I thought that the expansion to 120km had been approved and now there was a further request to extend to a total 330km

so on the 120km where would the runs be? Normally how long does it take to create a new run?

I recall last early summer I think it was SteveC who highlighted he thought new lifts were being done plus an extra run on the plateau which is currently off piste.
Clearly the lifts did turn out to be done but not the new run or that whatever work they did on the run it wasn't complete or it was never started.

Question is is that now still going ahead. They have put in the great new lifts so quick to get up to me it looks like the infrastructure is done now more runs.

Nightmuffy - I totally agree with your comment re second gondela lots of cash but only 3 weeks out of c16weeks where it's required. BUT if as you say that's at least 18months start to finish then if other runs are being built then when it is ready there will be or should be higher demand.

I would say more runs first and a drag lift at the end of run 4.

The other thing is would you want the second gondela to go tp the same base or given new runs you'd want it going to that area so you have a choice where to go.

All I don't know if you understand the area I mean but at the top of the mountain if you face bansko then turn right you can see a vast and higher plateau on another mountain. With many interesting runs which could be made throught the forest. Last time we spent some time just looking at other areas speculating at what might be.

I'm an advocate and do have a vested interest as we own- however we really enjoy the place really different and thankfully not commercialised

I thought that the expansion to 120km had been approved and now there was a further request to extend to a total 330km

so on the 120km where would the runs be? Normally how long does it take to create a new run?

I recall last early summer I think it was SteveC who highlighted he thought new lifts were being done plus an extra run on the plateau which is currently off piste.
Clearly the lifts did turn out to be done but not the new run or that whatever work they did on the run it wasn't complete or it was never started.

Question is is that now still going ahead. They have put in the great new lifts so quick to get up to me it looks like the infrastructure is done now more runs.

Nightmuffy - I totally agree with your comment re second gondela lots of cash but only 3 weeks out of c16weeks where it's required. BUT if as you say that's at least 18months start to finish then if other runs are being built then when it is ready there will be or should be higher demand.

I would say more runs first and a drag lift at the end of run 4.

The other thing is would you want the second gondela to go tp the same base or given new runs you'd want it going to that area so you have a choice where to go.

All I don't know if you understand the area I mean but at the top of the mountain if you face bansko then turn right you can see a vast and higher plateau on another mountain. With many interesting runs which could be made throught the forest. Last time we spent some time just looking at other areas speculating at what might be.

I'm an advocate and do have a vested interest as we own- however we really enjoy the place really different and thankfully not commercialised

Pete, if you are correcting me on the proposal to government for the expansion of the pisted area within the Razlog valley ??, i would be interested, as this would contradict what has been reported in Bulgarian national newspapers... but then again perhaps we can not all believe what we read in the media..
I did not realise the much talked about 2nd gondola was infamous before its actually built and very interested in what `activity' you describe ?? Tell us more, as then we can definitely say that we heard it from you first..
As for being sensitive, i am a bit, but only over things that are truly important

Hi Gareth,

Yes if they were to increase runs and depending where they increased them there would be more need for a second gondola. They are talking of the re=opening of the old pistes over on the acedemica side by lowering the top station to stop people going off-piste, this is why it was closed due to avalanche risk and numbers killed there in the years leading up to it being closed. so the 2nd gondola would give access to this and would be more for advanced skiers as they are red runs over there and looking at them quite steep. Again all ideas being spoke about and nothing substantial to go on.

However, with Ulen buying shilli last year perhaps they could run a 2nd gondola from the other side of town ie; St.Johns Hill area up to Shilli which from what i understand was the original plans anyway. As they did not own the land at the time they could not do this and so this is why the area to the right of the existing Gondola was chosen. This would feed both sides of town then also to stop the bottle neck at the main gondola how it is. They are supposed to be building a new mountain rescue centre at Shilli and Medical centre.

The run we were told about being a new piste last year was off the side of the off-piste and back around to the new lift at Platoto. The reason they were thinking of this was because they would not have to cut any trees down as it is already above the tree line and all they had to do was piste the run. However due to lack of snow this year there was not enough to cover the bushes on that area and so they could not make this run or try to piste one. This again though may be hearsay but we definately knew the rumours were true about the new chairs as our landlord works for Ulen on security and was in charge of the security for the installation of these chairs.

He did say to me last month that next season they will have the second gondola but we will see.

I think they still need to invest in the facilities on the mountain ie restaurants, staff, prices and toilets. Everyone of our guests had an absolutely fantastic time here this year the only complaint was the food, price and the ignorance of the Ulen staff. This is one thing most of them said would put them off coming back. They loved the skiing, the runs, the chair system, the town and the restaurants in town etc etc it was just the mountain facilities as mentioned they complained about.

If we do get any info we will try to post any news to keep people updated.... but we can only give people news that we are being told.

It would help if Ulen were a little more generous with info as to their plans.