Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Well what can I say........... absolutely bloody fantastic. We booked last minute with Inghams and got allocated on arrival half board for £194. We stayed at the Orphey hotel and was really pleased. We have been 7 times to Bulgaria and it was the best hotel we have stayed in. The conditions were perfect and we had red 6 to ourselves most days (mid station gondola). We didnt have any problems with queueing, went up at 10am everyday so queues had gone.
The secret bar!
We found the bar on the ski road (1) and what a gem. 500ml bottle beer - 1.4 levs - Mountain price 5 to 6 lev
kebab - 1 lev (yes really) - Mountain Price 6
chips 2 lev - Mountain Price 5 lev
chicken chop with chips 5 lev

We went to Bansko 7 years ago and it wasnt built up at all. Thats the only downside now its over developed. Saying that I would definately go back.

Just back also, and we have been going there for the past few years.

Like Karen above we didnt experience any que's but again were at the gondola for 10.00am too!!

We didnt do any lessons this year, and found the holiday much more relaxing, and got more skiing in. (4OfUs)

The snow conditions were ideal, but sometimes there was too much snow which caused moguls to appear in the afternoon.

The snow also made the run home terrible. It was too slow, and no matter what pace you kept up, you still had to drag the last 800yards.

We got caught out on Thursday and missed the last chairlift from the bottom of Chalin Valog (4.10pm) and had to ski home. Disater.

As Karen said above run 6 was empty most of the week, along with run 2, 4 & 9. Tomba was good despite the moguls at the start, but I was more than impressed with the Chalin Valogs. Usually these are closed or too icy, but were a pleasure to ski last week with the extra snow.

Both Plato's were closed on Wednesday due to high winds. These were empty most of the week also, but the ski schools were going higher up the mountain on the blue/reds from Wednesday/Thursday onwards so we tended to stay on the righthand side of the mountain & the Chalin Valogs.

Unfortunately it started to rain in town from Thursday onwards meaning that most of the snow in the village will be gone soon. The temps also started to rise, and I did see Shilgarnika having a temp of+1.5 degrees on the screen in the gondola station on Friday afternoon.

I can recommend Steve C's recomondation of 'Friends' for food on the mountain. It is situated directly at the bottom of run 8 behind the screens. They have the best food & prices on the mountain. I still failed to find the elusive 'Cave' but I only did the home run 1 1/2 times due to it being so slow.

We stayed at The Lion hotel, which overall was great. THe pool facilities werent up to much but everything else was spot on. The food was great with plenty of variety, and the staff couldnt have been anymore friendly.

They charged 25 Lev for a security box at reception for the week, and I believe they charged to hire a bath robe also.

The inhouse night club was nice, but they dont serve draught beer, and their prices on Shorts were a tad extortionate!!!

Wifi was a bit hit & miss. Somedays you could pick it up and others you couldnt. If in dire straits for Wifi, JJ Murphy's is right next door, and the pub doesnt close.
They also have happy hour from 5-7ish and its less than 2 lev for a pint!!!

The Lion is quiet close to the gondola, with the Friendly Bar situated on route for a pitstop, especially when you miss the last courtesy bus(5.00pm) having had another beer at the Happy end!!!

Overall I would rate this year as the best year we had in Bansko.

Unfortunately we think we have outgrown the resort.

I didnt think I would ever say this, but we did find the runs a bit limiting this year. I think our skiing skills have reached their potential at Bansko and we may have to move on to pastures new next year.

Not having lessons this year meant we could go where we wanted to go, and therefore skied every run by mid week. To be honest I'm gutted, as I've grown to really like the place, and have disagreed with others that have said what I have just said.

I would still recommend Bansko to everyone, but have to agree it will only entertain experienced skiers for a week max.

So on a happy note Bansko was excellent, but on a sad note I dont think we will be going back for a good few years!!!

I would consider myself an experienced skier having spent a few years skiing all over Europe and all of last season in Bansko except for an early trip to the alps and a week in Canada at the end.

Now I don't think I have mastered skiing by any means but can get down almost anything (including bar stairways on skis)

My opinion is different to yours but I admit it is personal choice..

I like skiing the same runs over and over again, only by doing this can you see if you have improved. The runs at Chalin Valog are my favourites .. steep and fast when the coast is clear.

I like to ski off piste as well and there is nothing like Bansko powder to enjoy this on. In Canada last year the resort guide wanted to show me a 'powder field' haha ok I know they have some good powder but I had my video camera loaded with 5 feet of Bansko powder to show him.. He was amazed.

There is lots to do in Bansko for experienced skiers, every day is different for me.

Just my opinion but it keeps me amused to ski in Bansko.

Author : Steve C (85.118.193.---)
posts : 1539
Date : 02-09-10 17:58

Come down the ski road, over the first bridge, past the first turning to Challin Valog, stay on the left of the ski road, as you start to make a gentle right just before the second bridge, there is a path on the left, you will see a fence and beyond it an old house.
There is a gate in the fence, a small garden, then the bar....
If you are coming down the ski road and look up to the left, you will see the cave in the cliffs, that overlooks the bar...

Blimey, people normally have problems finding the way from the bar, not to it Wink