Bulgaria Ski discussion board

returned on the 27th December after a week in Bansko. we've visited the resort 3 times to date. the snow was bad the first 3 days (we went the same time last year and there was lots more). things picked up on christmas eve and it put down enough to hope more slopes would be open in time for new year. We stayed in the resorts main hotel near the gondola - fantastic but the Spa was closed. We ate out every night and mixed traditional restaurants with newer modern. the italian is nice situated halfway down pirin street. the mehanas were good and seemed cheaper on the menu. we did notice a big increase in price and we do tend to shop around. you have to hunt harder for a good price. it was expensive up the mountain to eat and drink - we have friends who have returned from france and its 8 euro a pint so 5 lev for chips although steep didnt seem to bad. noticed a lot of skiers with small backpacks - maybe its better to take lunch with you. the bulgairan people were lovely and very keen to make our stay enjoyable. i had a fantastic ski instructor - refresher lessons, they work really hard and make the lessons enjoyable. our son had a 1 2 1 instuctor snowboarding and it worked out at £30 for an hour. the lifts were clear the first few days but got busier. its best to get up early and onto the gondola. shops were expensive for ski gear, just as cheap in the uk. we got totally ripped off in a bar at the end of the ski run. you must beware and ask for Bulgairan beer. we were brought beer in carlserg glasses and were charged equiv of ~£3.50 per beer. the waitress overcharged, admitted mistake and then failed to bring over the change until pestered - unbelievable! transfer from sofia was painful, driver doing about 30mph at night - return was better in daylight and took 2 hours instead of 3. they stop halfway at a rip off service station so beware its 5 lev for a coffee. ive heard a lot about ski instructors taking pupils to certain restaurants - i dont think it matters where you go to be honest as the prices in all the mountain places are the same. we had a great time but we reached stage where we were pushy with the locals asking for local beer, querying every bill as there seemed to be a few extras in a couple of restaurants. we have a place being built also and im not holding my breath for that being completed by next season -who cares given the state of the pound! id rather it took longer to be honest and saved us a bit of money. we will return, we love the place the people and havent bought to make money we just want the family to visit and appreicate all Bansko has to offer.