Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Back From Bansko
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-06-07 00:02Back From Bansko
Hey thought i would write a little report on Bankso for anyone heading out there soon as i was regularly on this site looking for reports before i went but could never really find any and it seemed that lots of other ppl wanted info too so here is my take on it all!
Firstly there is enough snow and runs open for you to have a good week. It was sunshine everyday i was there but with the snow cannons always on it was fine. I still have a friend out there now and its snowed quite a bit since ...
Firstly there is enough snow and runs open for you to have a good week. It was sunshine everyday i was there but with the snow cannons always on it was fine. I still have a friend out there now and its snowed quite a bit since ...
Hey thought i would write a little report on Bankso for anyone heading out there soon as i was regularly on this site looking for reports before i went but could never really find any and it seemed that lots of other ppl wanted info too so here is my take on it all!
Firstly there is enough snow and runs open for you to have a good week. It was sunshine everyday i was there but with the snow cannons always on it was fine. I still have a friend out there now and its snowed quite a bit since i left so it can only be better then what i experienced. ive been skiing and snowboarding all over Europe for 6 years now and although Bansko isnt as vast as some of the major resorts, it was still good fun! If it gets big dump soon then it would be an excellent resort with plenty of runs. The locals were saying that its coming on the 11th
I was there with 6 beginners and spend most of the week teaching them and they all seemed to really enjoy it too. If you can, i would advise booking lessons before you go if nobody in your party is experienced because all the instructors were fully booked when we arrived. The one problem with a lack of snow just now is that the only runs open are at the top of the mountain so if you feel your good enough to move on from the nursery slopes then its not the most gradual of progressions but just go for it! i took my friends up to the top after one morning of teaching and they all survived (just!). Also for any experieced skiiers the black run was open and it kept me entertained for a few days not too icy and quite long!
The ski road to the resort opened unofficially on my last day (2nd) and apart from one 10m strecth it was fine. This ski road also reduces the queues at the end of the day for the gondola back down which was a little annoying but not the end of the world like some ppl have been saying on here. If you do have kids though maybe head for the queue at 3.30 before it builds up. Also best to probably rent a helmet for your kids as there are some rocks showing.
Bankso as a town is ok but lots of building work. The pubs are good though but the resteraunts are not the best with most of the food turning up cold! its ok though just drink lots before it arrives! I didnt do much sight seeing sorry just skiied, slept and drinked in that order!
We stayed in the fortuna hotel about 100 m from gondola and it was really nice with a great bar downstairs although i forgot the name sorry! We rented equipment from a shop accross the road from gondola as all the equipment was sold out from the gondola station. dont worry there are lots of shops for renting.
Also when your queuing to buy your ski pass, dont queue where everyone else is it takes ages!! To the right of the entrance to the gondola there is a porticabin with two windows which sells the ski passes and nobody ever seems to go there! and if you forget any of your gear or your bags dont turn up in sofia like ours then dont panic as bansko seems to have a healthy market for counterfit ski gear which is very high quality!
any other questions just ask i come on here a lot to look at the web cam and get angry cause it already looks so much better than when i was there!!
have fun guys
Firstly there is enough snow and runs open for you to have a good week. It was sunshine everyday i was there but with the snow cannons always on it was fine. I still have a friend out there now and its snowed quite a bit since i left so it can only be better then what i experienced. ive been skiing and snowboarding all over Europe for 6 years now and although Bansko isnt as vast as some of the major resorts, it was still good fun! If it gets big dump soon then it would be an excellent resort with plenty of runs. The locals were saying that its coming on the 11th
I was there with 6 beginners and spend most of the week teaching them and they all seemed to really enjoy it too. If you can, i would advise booking lessons before you go if nobody in your party is experienced because all the instructors were fully booked when we arrived. The one problem with a lack of snow just now is that the only runs open are at the top of the mountain so if you feel your good enough to move on from the nursery slopes then its not the most gradual of progressions but just go for it! i took my friends up to the top after one morning of teaching and they all survived (just!). Also for any experieced skiiers the black run was open and it kept me entertained for a few days not too icy and quite long!
The ski road to the resort opened unofficially on my last day (2nd) and apart from one 10m strecth it was fine. This ski road also reduces the queues at the end of the day for the gondola back down which was a little annoying but not the end of the world like some ppl have been saying on here. If you do have kids though maybe head for the queue at 3.30 before it builds up. Also best to probably rent a helmet for your kids as there are some rocks showing.
Bankso as a town is ok but lots of building work. The pubs are good though but the resteraunts are not the best with most of the food turning up cold! its ok though just drink lots before it arrives! I didnt do much sight seeing sorry just skiied, slept and drinked in that order!
We stayed in the fortuna hotel about 100 m from gondola and it was really nice with a great bar downstairs although i forgot the name sorry! We rented equipment from a shop accross the road from gondola as all the equipment was sold out from the gondola station. dont worry there are lots of shops for renting.
Also when your queuing to buy your ski pass, dont queue where everyone else is it takes ages!! To the right of the entrance to the gondola there is a porticabin with two windows which sells the ski passes and nobody ever seems to go there! and if you forget any of your gear or your bags dont turn up in sofia like ours then dont panic as bansko seems to have a healthy market for counterfit ski gear which is very high quality!
any other questions just ask i come on here a lot to look at the web cam and get angry cause it already looks so much better than when i was there!!
have fun guys
re: Back From Bansko
that looks great thanks... we are going for first time skiing in 3 weeks to Bansko (Strazhite hotel) not totally sure what to expect but kids 9&7 are excited and so are we. Any tips from anyone very gratefully received however simple they may be we are total novices...re: Back From Bansko
cheers fella - going the 20th with my son who's prety good and couple who've never seen the snow never mind slid down it - should be fun - even the gondola queues as the buddy is a 6ft2 skin-head and very short tempered!!
re: Back From Bansko
Thanks a million Dave, My boyfriend(who's beside me) and I really appreciate the good news,we're heading TOMORROW!!!hurray.I've also been reading here for any news on Bansko, and as you said, there hasn't been much info or advice. Will take on board re. passes, thanks a mill.
Glad you enjoyed, will report on our return on the 13th!
re: Back From Bansko
no worries one more thing we flew with alitalia and unfortunately our bags didnt arrive till 2 days after we got there. it wasnt a big deal really had to wear the same boxers twice(!) but one thing i wish i had done was wear my ski jacket on the plane and pack ski gloves, mask and toiletries in hand luggage so that all i needed to buy when i got there was salapetes (im not sure how to spell that!). Im sure you will be fine but just in case it means you can get straight to the slopes and not ...
no worries one more thing we flew with alitalia and unfortunately our bags didnt arrive till 2 days after we got there. it wasnt a big deal really had to wear the same boxers twice(!) but one thing i wish i had done was wear my ski jacket on the plane and pack ski gloves, mask and toiletries in hand luggage so that all i needed to buy when i got there was salapetes (im not sure how to spell that!). Im sure you will be fine but just in case it means you can get straight to the slopes and not waste a day buying new stuff like we did!
re: Back From Bansko
Thanks a lot for the information Dave, your a real help!
I'm going to Bansko on Sunday and can't wait. I 've been watching the web cam too and the snow seems to have dumped more so hopefully the conditions are good.
One question though, I'm a bit worried about the accomodation we have. We had booked in for Cedar lodge but our tour operator informed us by email today that they are having electricity problems and therefore we have been moved to the Mura Hotel...which is new. Does anyone ...
I'm going to Bansko on Sunday and can't wait. I 've been watching the web cam too and the snow seems to have dumped more so hopefully the conditions are good.
One question though, I'm a bit worried about the accomodation we have. We had booked in for Cedar lodge but our tour operator informed us by email today that they are having electricity problems and therefore we have been moved to the Mura Hotel...which is new. Does anyone ...
Thanks a lot for the information Dave, your a real help!
I'm going to Bansko on Sunday and can't wait. I 've been watching the web cam too and the snow seems to have dumped more so hopefully the conditions are good.
One question though, I'm a bit worried about the accomodation we have. We had booked in for Cedar lodge but our tour operator informed us by email today that they are having electricity problems and therefore we have been moved to the Mura Hotel...which is new. Does anyone know anything about what this place is like?
Thanks, would be great for some input
I'm going to Bansko on Sunday and can't wait. I 've been watching the web cam too and the snow seems to have dumped more so hopefully the conditions are good.
One question though, I'm a bit worried about the accomodation we have. We had booked in for Cedar lodge but our tour operator informed us by email today that they are having electricity problems and therefore we have been moved to the Mura Hotel...which is new. Does anyone know anything about what this place is like?
Thanks, would be great for some input
