Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Steve,
I think you misunderstood my analogy of the price per km, I think its actually possible to do more miles in a day in Bansko than in many other resorts, due to the fast lifts, and in that respect the lift pass price is not expensive.
It is interesting to compare the prices in Bansko for the past years, I have a 2006 piste map, 6 day pass 280lv, 2010 price in main season 283lv both ulens prices from piste map, a 3lv increase is, considering inflation an actual reduction in real terms!!, how many other resorts have made a net reduction in prices?
I also note that the cost of waxing and repairs has remained the same over the past 4 years, prices again from ulens brochure.
Yes at times Bansko is far from perfect, but much of that lies with communication and orginisation by Ulen themselves and we can only hope that they have learned a lesson from Christmas/New year.
As for the future there probably does need to be a second access method up to the main slopes, I am aware of the restrictions the national park protection may put on this and there will no doubt be long discussions before further expansion can take place.
Personally I would not like to see much more expansion in the town, for me the old town and its cute little streets is a major part of the attraction.

Fair point Don regarding the potential for skiing, the uplift is reasonable and does allow for a quick turnround...
If im to be a bit pedantic, the actual lift pass has dropped in price, even at 283lv, as it now includes insurance, where as in 2006, insurance was extra but not mandatory (12lv - 6 days)
Also totally agree with the communication aspect regarding Ulen, this has to improve, but we are seeing some... maybe not enough but it is a start.
If i am really to put the cat amongst the pigeons, we have heard that the proposed works for the second gondola will start in the Spring, and with that, the reopening of Akidemika... Maybe all Bansko rumours ?? but the ground has been levelled for the base station, and the access road put in... so who knows ???

Steve,
I had heard from my ski instuctor that Akidemika may reopen but that the lift was probably going to repositioned and the piste resited away from what was an avalanche risk area, perhaps there is scope for some new pistes from this area also.
Do you have any idea where the proposed base for a second access gondola would be and would it too end at Bunderiskka Polyana?
I would have thought a second access would be better going to the shiligarnika area to save congestion, the problem would be ski school meeting point, but theres always a way round it.
Anything to stop the big queues would help, now that the road up has been resurfaced Ulen could have laid on coaches for the first couple of hours to help the gondola, this may have just moved the queues further up the mountain though.
Its good to hear though that Ulen seem to be working on the problem.
On a different note, as a local, have you any idea of when the World Championships are scheduled for next year, my tour op are offering £100 off for early booking so I dont want to book when the competitions are on. I normally come 2nd or 3rd week in Jan.

The site for the second gondola has been purchased, and is located approximately 600m up from the existing gondola on the same side of the river. Access will be from the other side of the river as will the new car parking areas, the gondola accessed by a bridge. The top station will be at Bunderitsa Polyana, near to the snow cannon resevoir, adjacent to the base of the Akidemika lift.
The plan is for the top station of the Akidemika lift to be lowered and upgraded to a 4 man...
The planned date for the womans world cup is the same as the last race, around the end of Feb... but check on the FIS site, they will have firm dates...
Totally agree with the coach option, especially as Ulen have 5 new coaches, that were used for the last world cup, and no one knew about those either, they were going up and down the mountain empty

Steve,
The location makes sense i suppose both at the bottom and the top, the new station could be accessed by traffic coming in avoiding the top of town, and at the top would be the other side of the resteraunts i guess. The Akidemika lift would no doubt then be easy to access from the new gondola.
Thanks for the nod on the date for the word cup, have checked the FIS site and no firm date as yet shown.
If they need drivers for the coaches give me a shout, I have a PSV or PCV as its now called, a winter working in Bansko would do wonders for my technique!!, skiing not driving!!
If they arent using the coaches maybee you could put them to better use!!