Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Afternoon all,

I have just booked a week of winter fun in Bansko from 19-26 Jan 2012. I noticed that transfers between the airport and the resort work out cheapest if 4-5 people team up together.
Anyone coming to Bankso on an easyjet flight on Jan 19th at 6am?

Also, I booked a studio in Guiness Hotel, however, I am a little bit nervous after reading loads of negative reviews about the place, any tips would be appreciated. I am not looking for Ritz quality but a decent warm room with edible food would be nice.

Any advice on snow coverage towards the end of January?

And finally, what is the cost of a pint/average dinner etc in Bankso.


Any help will be much appreciated

Cost on the mountain for lunch can be expensive by BG standards, and the range of food is not good... but that said, there are exceptions, there are now only 3 private enterprises on the mountain as Ulen have bought everyone else
2 of the bars are near to Challin Valog ski area, one at the side of the ski road (Pesherita) and the other, a hotel, (Isverite) is in the centre of the area... Both do simple traditional foods and expect to pay 10lv a head for a decent lunch... The other is a hotel at Shilligarnika and is located in the forest to the rear of the Ulen `Bla Bla' restaurant, walk up into the forest, turn right, and 100m is the hotel, great food, decent prices...
All the Ulen restaurants serve basically the same food, overpriced, undercooked/overcooked, served by surly individuals who consider your sitting there as an intrusion...
As you can tell, not a fan of Ulen restaurants...
The town though is great, many touristy bars/restaurants, and traditional... The nearer the gondola, the more expensive they are (there are exceptions though) Generally expect to pay 1.5lv - 5lv for a beer, similar for shorts, good food can be found (pizza/burger ????) for 10lv-20lv... Recommendations are difficult as i know what i like, but try the `Friendly Bar', touristy and popular, or the `Lion', visitors also like the `Victoria'... Kiosks are set up opposite the gondola and these will offer Gyros (kebab), hot dogs, do-nuts etc etc... You could also try a more traditional bar, the `Pirin Bistro' opposite the ice rink, super food (simple) and drinks, cheap, and the girls are nice and friendly....

Steve.....you mention two restaurants that are up the mountain that I dont know where they are. One behind the Bla Bla and into the forest. dont know that one!! and then the Hotel Isverite. Is that the one you see when you go up the chair from Chalin Valog thru the opening in the woods. If it is I have never seen a path thru woods to it and didnt fancy walking up the hill under the chairlift. you recommended a few years ago the restaurant down the ski road to the left before the bridge which we like. more to choose from would be great. Directions please.

Hi Banskoboy

The Isverite is the one you see the back of when you go up the chair, the easiest way to get to it is to drop off the piste at the right near the top of the nursury area. There is a tunnel going under the piste and this is the road to the hotel, if you go to the right side of the tunnel the road is there and it is only a short walk up the hill (you can ski back down), you will come to the hotel car-park... There is also the bbq area in the middle of Challin Valog and sometimes the guy will be there with his bbq meats, normally he will park his 4x4 and there will be a small sign that you can also see from the chair, access to this area is to turn left just before the Isverite car park..
The Shilligarnika hotel is in the forest at the rear of the Bla Bla, go between the Bla Bla and the old Friends restaurant and up to the small track in the forest, turn right and walk up about 100m, the hotel will be facing you, last season they also had a takeaway truck in their car-park as well as their hotel restaurant.
Im hoping that Ulen will take heed of all the complaints last season, and improve their food and prices.. im not holding my breath though