Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just back from Bansko yesterday so quick report for those interested.
Flew out last thursday on easy jet and was picked up by banskoexpress which was an excellent service.
Its our 7th week in bansko and about 4th at this time of the year. There was no snow on the ground on the thursday night and then the heavens opened for three days at least. Outside or place at least two feet fell in a couple of days. It was snowing in Sofia when we left yesterday.
Our first skiing day was on Friday 2nd and the queue at the gondola was very long, at least an hour around 10 oclock. It was the same all weekend but this is a busy time with the kids still off at least that weekend. Anytime after lunch was a straight walk onto the gondola. Monday the queues were less but for some reason increased to an hour or so again mid week. A Bulgarian told me the queues were large simply because the large dump of snow had attracted the first rush f local skiers.
We travel independantly so we didnt have any packages. We paid 311 levs for a 6 day lift pass for adults and 172 levs for the kids direct at the gondola station. The banks were giving 2.05levs for a pound, the money transfer kiosks were averaging about 1.90 to the pound.
I checked a few rental places for friends going out later, (we have our own skis etc).The Fischer shop at the back of the Happy End does a good service as does Banskosport opposite the gondola car park. They do ski, boots and sticks for 6 days for 100 lev for adults and 60 levs for kids. Just skis and sticks was 80lv and 38lv.
Snowboard rental and boots was 120lv and 88lv adult and kids.
Hire at the gondola itself was 150lv for 6 days ski, boots and sticks for adults and 90lev for kids. That is a bit more than the shops around but when you hire packages at the gondola you do get some discounts for booking everything through them. Its also the easiest place to store your skis and stuff at the end of the day. Matter of choice really.
We were still eating in town and paying an average of 60lv for a meal for 4 including beers. Still getting Pirinsko at 2lv or less in most Bulgarian restaurants as opposed to hotel bars.
When we left almost every run was open, only part of 10 and 12 was shut, but it was still skiable if you wanted to. They alternated closing 11 and 3 at the top to give them a rest I imagine but to be honest noone took much notice. In the mornings skiiing was superb but did get ropier in the afternoon up top. I think this is just sheer numbers at this busy time and would expect it to be better after this weekend. They dont seem to be using the piste bashers as much as you might expect but they seem to know what they are doing. The whole Chalin valog area is superb and well pisted. The reds to the right of the montain as you look at it, 2 4 and 6 were getting better and better all week.
In summary they have had an awful lot of snow that they just need to manage its distribution asround the mountain which they seem to be doing, unfortunately it got better as it was time for us to leave. One more good snowfall and the place will be perfect.
I read a report on here from someone saying there was grass and rocks, very certainly not in my experience and we did the lot. If you are going this weekend or anytime this season you are in for a great time.