Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Well, the skiing was fab We had about 4 days throughout our week of some serious fresh snow. Last two days we were in t-shirts on deckies at the top sunning ourselves, drinking Tuborgs and the delicious hot chocolate - highly recommended with a cheeky brandy thrown in! The kebabs near the Blah Blah are to die for too!

I had recommened the Mehena next to the Perun Hotel (under the karaoke sign) previously on a post but can now say we would NEVER go back there, having previously eaten there positively last year.

I booked it for my friends birthday and we walked out mid-meal, just paying for our drinks and what some of us had eaten. 7 out of 9 main meals were cold and we could see our steak sitting on the grill charcoaling away to a crisp. It was such a shame as I had pre-booked it from the UK and organised a cake - it was such a let down. Ended up back at the Friendly Bar which is just great food and drinks - highly recommened.

If you can find it, the 'Butchers Kitchen' down in the old town near the church was a great night out. Taditional Bulgarian feast and great entertainment. It's tricky to find but don't let the taxi drivers rip you off if you go by taxi - it should cost you 8 LEV from the Lion/Perun Hotel area and not 15!

This was our second time back to Bansko and the skiing was just as good as the previous year. Prices have increased by 20% but's it's still good value compared to a 3 Valleys resort. The building going on there to me looks like the ski system won't be able to cope so unless things get more organised there, we won't go back but it has been great for the last 2 years

I don't get this Bansko building site bashing, having recently returned from what were some of the best snow conditions I have experienced for gentle off piste fun, surely your ski/board holiday is mostly about being on the slopes not worrying about the building works both halted and in progress, the old town has it's rustic charm, the people are pleasant and it is in no way an expensive ski destination. Being realistic the apartments are never going to be full at any one time, a high percentage will never be completed and when more people do start using the mountain I am sure the road will come into it's own for people to get up to the lifts, look at the recently completed Chalin Valog an amazing addition to the mountain and a secret spot for beginners. I have great faith that Bansko will cope with more demand and good luck to it, I will certainly return and only for the mountain and great hotel not for cheap beer.

I am constantly staggered by people who chuck 50K at a place they have never even been to. Madness. That said, mountain view is probably one of the better options (from what I can see from outside) and whilst it'll take a few years for these places to bed in and the landscaping get sorted, the designs look overall pretty good. Much better than the crap thrown up on the coast. As you're in the middle of an ocean of probably 10.000 apartments within 1km you won't be able to rent the thing, but it will make a useful and cost effective base for family and friends.