Bulgaria Ski discussion board

One little negative to get out of the way - lost two days skiing due to high winds, and in Bansko it seems that if the gondola closes then everything closes.

But on the positive side, other than the closures it was fantastic

Stayed at the new Kempinski Grand Arena which the brochure calls 5 star and for once it's an accurate description. The staff are all very friendly and helpful (and not just on the last day to earn tips!!). The food in the main was good and edible, and in the Coma Prima restaurant it was very good. The facilities are excelent, small but functional gym, indoor and outdoor pool, saunas, steam rooms and an ice room - like a big walk in fridge with snow!! Ski storage and boot drying included at no extra cost.

Because of missing two days and not being collected by tour operator till two pm, we asked to extend our checkout from 12 until 2pm to enable us to ski till about 1pm on the Saturday and have time for a quick shower before leaving. Because our room was unoccupied till later that day, this was done at no extra cost - and that's a first for anywhere!! One final thing about the hotel, my birthday was on the Monday of our trip and when we got back from skiing, there was a birthday cake in our room which had been provided completely unprompted. It's that kind of touch that makes a holiday special.

The skiing was fantastic, it snowed just about every day. It could make it a little challenging as the higher runs got a little lumpy to the point where it was easier off piste!! This was our third time skiing and there was plenty to challenge us - we'd describe ourselves as good intermediates. We tried everything except the Albert Tomba - maybe next year because Bansko is well worth a revisit!!