Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I have been going skiing in Bansko for the last six seasons and can assure you that the first four, possibly five, seasons i was there I though the place was fantastic. A real little gem of a ski resort with almost no queues at the gondola and chairlifts and a beautiful little town that was rish in local culture. However, when I went skiing this last season it was as though it was a totally different place with MASS construction works going on literally everywhere, the queues were unbelievable to the extent that people were verbally abusing each other and in some instances physically fighting! As for the town, well, there are still some nice little mehana's to be found if you know where to look, but the majority are overcrowded heaps.

Even the happy, easy going, buzzy atmosphere seems to have gone and has been replaced by a more stressful atmosphere which, in my opinion, has ruined what use to be a truly magnificent little ski resort and town.

That isn't to say that I will never return, but I will certainly wait a season a two to see if the situation settles down. Hopefully, it will.

I Planned to be there in Jan for a week, Pamps for the first week then on to Bansko (hi Smag my fav mate in the whole wide ski world)
I hate the fact that a place can be over-developed by crooks out to make a quick buck and then run, while the local hoteliers and traders bear the brunt of the aftermath. For that reason I will be staying in Bansko and showing my support to the bars and Clubs. helping them stay solvent and keeping there stock flow, well and truely flowing.
Bumski

hornster you have a point to a degree.

I went in feb 2007 for the first time skiing and had no problems with the queues. Ther is a skill to avaoiding the queues.
1. dont go in half term is you can avoid it.
2. dont try to go up the gongola when all the people heading for ski lessons are going i.e avoid 9.30, to 10.30. Either get there early or like I did , have an extra at night and stay in bed till 9.30 then get up have some breaky then get the the gondola for 10.30 and hey presto no queues. the longest i had to wait was 10 mins, no word of a lie. you are sking by 11 and bobs your uncle. For me skiing from 11 - 4 is long enough, then back down the ski road for a few . if you want to ski longer get to the gondola for 8.15 and again there are no queues.

cheers
smag

ps. bumski , i will be advertising my place very soon, when I do I will sort you out with a good deal