Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just got back last night so here goes my report trying to answer as many questions as posible.

Flight out from manchester was fine after a 1 hour delay. If you fly out from Manchester the plane will be an airbus A320. Bit of an easyjet feel with no legroom. Food on the flight is crap but hey it's free and you don't need to eat it. You have to pay for drinks apart from tea and coffee so if you don't want to pay £1 for a coke take a couple of cans with you. Flight took about 2 1/2 hours to Sofia.

Sofia is a small airport and after going through immigration there are 2 turnstyles to get your bags. It's a bit of guess work as to where your bags come out and skis also come out in the same place as normal luggage.

When you leave the main doors a rep puts you on a bus and the transit time to Bansko in about 3hrs. Take a small amout of Lev with you as the bus will stop for a break.

Stayed at the Perun. Great hotel. Frindly staff who even made a sandwich for us at midnight apon arrival even though we didn't ask for it. They hold your passport at reception for you but will give it back if you need it.

The rooms themselves were very nice with a safe, kettle, TV and fridge in the rooms all with balconys overlooking the outdoor pool.

The next day the minibus will take you to the gondola station where you find the rep who will give you the pass if you have prebooked. Advice. The 6 day pass is 280lev when there so book before you go. We paid £56 through Balkan and remember the 6lev deposit for the pass which you get back at the end of the holiday when you hand the pass back.

Snow?? Tons of the stuff. Started snowing midday on Monday and keep snowing the whole week. A local told me that if it doesn't snow for the rest of the season they will have enough and you can ski all the way to the village. Advice. If you snowboard and want to board back to the village, take some telescopic ski poles in a backpack as the run gets a bit flat in places so poles are a help if you don't like unclipping.

Food. Hotel food was great and always hot with no cues to get it. Food in the village is great with many very cheap little taverns to eat it. About 33lev for 3 courses and drinks. Tipping is normal but some people ie Bla-Bla up the mountion did not give change.

We took a day trip to Rila monastry. Took 2hrs from bansko and cost 100lev. Worth the trip.

If you want to walk around the village take some waterproof boots with you. Trainers are no good in 2 foot of snow.

Not impressed with the Balkan reps. Only saw them the day we got the passes but the Neilson rep was at the hotel every night. Next time I'll go with Neilson.

Rember when you check out you need a registration card. The hotels will do this but if you don't get it you could get a £200 fine at the airport.

Plenty of cheap stuff to buy. Cigs about 2lev, vodka about 5lev lots of cheap stuff but ask yourself if you are getting goretex for the price you're paying.

Flight back no problems.

Have a great holiday.

Later.