Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi

Just arrived back from Bansko yesterday after our first trip to Bulgaria and had a fantastic time. We were originally booked to go to Pamporovo but managed to transfer a week before to Bansko and I am very pleased that we did.

The slopes were great with only a few icy patches at the beginning of the week and then when it started to snow the conditions were great.

We stayed in Hotel Pirin which is a 4 star hotel in the old town. We were close to a good selection of Mehanas and the shuttle bus was very reliable for getting to and from the access gondola. The room we had was great, although no kettle but we did have a panic button in the bathroom!?! We were half board and the food was reasonable. Breakfast was good, dinner a bit bland but edible although occasionally there were some strange options but it was always hot. As with all hotels the drink and mini bar were overpriced but with the selection of shops nearby there was a good selection. An example 500ml bottle of Tubourg was 6lev in the mini bar, 5lev at the hotel bar and less than 2lev in the local shop.

On the slopes we found the prices to be the same as any other ski resort in Europe. We ate in various places and thought that the prices were reasonable. A tip, try the seafood risotto at the pizza restaurant next to the gondola which was fab.

We also found the locals to be very pleasant and accommodating. The taxi drivers were not difficult to deal with and were up for a good haggle. The restaurant touts were not pushy and left you alone once told that we had eaten.

Our holiday was great and it was great value for money, we would definitely return. The only negative that we would advise is that their infrastructure needs work with poor pavements and access roads. If you are wanting a picturesque alpine village, Bankso is not for you but it has everything else.

Glad yuo had a good time Angela. Lol @ panic button in bathroom - I have come across this in other hotels. I wonder if it's some strange BG H&S Law - perhaps in case drunken holidaymakers fall into the bath or something....

I love Bansko and will be back for my 6th visit in March. Yeah - pavements etc not great - though it is improved I think over the past couple of years and hopefully finally the final holes etc will be filled in. I remember last April when there was a massive hole in the pavement up from the Kemp - could cause a nasty injury - it was fine as no snow in the town then but if this was covered - well - I had visions of someone disappearing completely!

Glad you had a good time.

The Perun is a lovely hotel about a 7 min walk to the gondola but does have regular shuttle bus. The hotel has fab spa facilities and a nice lounge/bar with comfy sofas and a beautiful huge open fire. The balconies are rather small though. We found the food here to be quite good the breakfasts are excellent and you have eggs and pancakes cooked in front of you every morning.We have also stayed in the Lion which is just opposide and although more expensive feel it is not a patch on the perun. The kempiski is right next to the gondola and everyone i spoke to says it is fantastic but it is a lot more expensive

Ha ha - I did - it was just the first year out there a few years ago - on my own with my young son - I didn't know where I was, where anything was and as I say, I had my then 5 year old in tow. I asked at reception how to get wherever and the next I knew they had a car for me!! Rude not to take it I thought and it was quite good as driver friendly and showed me where various bars and mehanas were. Having been several times I am of course much more 'in the know' now and love walking into the old town and staggering back (or taxi) lol