Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi, can anyone give me some advice please, off to Bansko this Saturday the 4th. Bought my own Snowboard equipment this year and haven't booked any school, can anyone please direct me to the best snowboard runs to head for on the first day there before the rush. Want to try and get up on the mountain while everyone is fussing to sort their hire kit out thus avoiding the stampead, that's the plan anyway

Also, anyone stayed in the Hotel Pirin before, what's it like? is it very far from the lifts?

Thanks in advance, Paul

From my experiences, I would head up the chairlift that is situated farthest left, and head dwn the runs to the left after you get off. Once you have negatiated these, head up the next chairlift you come to and head down the blue that is off to the right (If you face down the hill). These runs I found to be the best for just cruising down the mountain, they are fairly wide and long, not to mention that there is a bar at the bottom, which is always a bonus!

I think I am correct, but do not quote me on it, but as a rule, if you are heading towards a blue run in Bansko, you are not heading towards any serious trouble.

Gordons advice is spot on though depending on your ability there are steep bits in both the cruisy blues (Nos. 5 & 10). The pirin is good according to reports (though the food may not be the best). We stayed little further on over xmas and it's a brisk walk from the Gondola but having sat on that for 20 mins it allows you to unseize your legs. Take the shuttle in the morning. If theyre open take the four man adjacent to "Tomba" 9 and the connecting four man to the summit. Keep way right and pick up the No.3 or 11 Blue and that brings you back down to the top of the 5/10 blues previously mentioned. Now that is a nice long cruise first thing in the morning. I'm going bac on the 4th Mar. Have a good one, John.