Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Been home for two days, absoulutely gutted to leave those beuatiful mountains behind.
Just thought I would add a few of what we think were our top tips for the week if anyone is new to Bansko.
I do think there was quite a lot of unnecessary worrying about lift queues etc before we went and compared to what we found it was completely different.

After a 2 and a half hour taxi transfer arrived, the roads are very pot holey but it is well worth it trust me.

Rented skis etc from Intersport opposite gondola, the guys were very friendly and no queue, this was about 10 oclock after a leisurely breakfast. Then we joined a small queue for our lift pass which took less than 20 mins all done. All of you be there as they need to take your photo for the six day pass. Next thing get a ski locker from the locker guy, costs a bout 5 levs day but well worth it, saves cutting about in ski boots everywhere. The guy is very nice, he didn't take hired skis only hired boots, but we just said ours were our own and he took them in.
Join the queue for gondola round the side door at bottom of stairs, will save time.

We booked two 2 hour private lessons with Intersport for 40 levs a go , compare that to Austria or France and it would be double. The lessons brought us on brilliantly and I think I learnt more than I would have done in a group as it was one on one.

Try if you can to get to the gondola for 8.30 and then enjoy a good hour of quiet skiing befor the ski schools get on at ten. Ski schools break for lunch 12-1 so if you can arrange your lessons for then and again the slopes go quiet. Take your lunch around one thirty or two and you will find the mountain cafes much quieter, as the ski schools will have have gone back out again.

We skiied down on the ski road every day, it is fantastic.

After 1st day, my own boots were very uncomfortable, Intersport gave me set for free for the week and also gave us an extra days hire for free on the last day, as we decided to ski before our flight, I would definitely use them.

Best bars seemed to be Happy End and we really liked Amigos, they do the best pasta carbonara and caesar salad for about 4 quid. Lovely log fire too. I'm afraid the lion bar was just too small and crowded too.

We found the ice rink, small but good fun and make sure you walk down into the old town and the two old squares, it is beautiful. Don't miss it and just stay in the tourist area by the gondola.

Yes we did miss out on 2 days skiing due to high winds, but hey that could happen anywhere. We made the best of it, explored and found many other things to do in Bansko.