Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just back from an excellent week in Bansko, last there March 2008 and have to say what great improvement the town been enjoying, hardly any building sites or cranes to be seen from gondola area, much less smog over the town and good roads and pavement, very prosperous looking and rather charming instead of slightly depressing as we first thought a few years ago, far better choice of snowboard equipment shops, 2 in the new shopping mall, more supermarkets (a few fur coat shops to feed the rich Greek and Russian holiday makers) and generally a jolly atmosphere.

We were lucky to have excellent snow conditions right into town which was fabulous, ski road in very good condition and Chalin valog (sorry if spelling is wrong) still a well kept secret on the way back down the mountain for a last few blasts on the red, the whole mountain is extremely picturesque at the moment with good freeriding in the forest and just off piste. Early morning corduroy prepared slopes were also a dream with good fast snow. Food and drink prices seemed most reasonable on the slopes and very cheap in town.

We found everyone to be pleasant and helpful even taxi drivers seem to have a fixed price up the mountain 50 to 60 Lev depending on road conditions and are super skilled with hand break turns up the mountain road in deep snow, quite a joy on our last extra morning, instead of 55 Lev day lift passes we opted to take a taxi and enjoy the ski road from bottom of 12 red over to Chalin Valog and back to town.

Judging by the lengthy gondola left queues the word has got out about how good Bansko is as ski/snowboard destination. Good luck to all heading out there this season, we can't wait to go back.