Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Ok, so here is my Bansko review.

Just came home on Sunday after spending a week at the 4Star Hotel Lion (Bed and Breakfast)

Lets start with the hotel.

The good

High quality Spa
Large bar / lounge area with good drinks selection and nice menu
Helpful staff (with the exception of the Spa guy who never cracked a smile)
Excellent location (short 10 minute walk from the Gondola)
Spacious room with new bathroom and shower

The bad

Too hot in the rooms for a good nights sleep (although I understand that this is a common problem at ski resort hotels in Bulgaria)
Shortage of Spa robes (request these on arrival)
Hot Breakfast buffet was look warm and disappointing considering the standard of the bar food.
Poor communication during the Gondola closure issues towards the end of the trip
The nightclub (just make sure you are no lower than the 4th floor if you want a decent nights sleep)

Now Balkan Holidays whom we booked with.

The good

No issues with the outward / return flight and transfers
Rep available at the Hotel Perun daily
Handled the Gondola closure situation well and arranged alternative entertainment (bowling)

The bad

Their own Ski hire facilities are chaotic and badly organised, and for some reason do not open until 8.30am when the Gondola opens at 8am. This makes the morning rush unavoidable for early risers.

Now for the town of Bansko

The good

Great selection of Mehanas/Bars, offering good food/drink at incredibly low cost

The bad

The building going on here is nothing short of a disgrace, as well as a health hazard (having narrowly avoided falling down holes in pavement on a number of occasions). Whilst the end of our holiday was spoiled due to the Eco warrior bomb threat, I can totally understand the point they were trying to make. It's a shame what is happening there. To describe Bansko as a building site is not unfair.
The constant badgering by touts trying to get you to eat and/or drink in their establishment is a pain. It felt like I was in some crappy Spanish resort!
Some of their Taxi drivers should be executed. We were charged 5 levs going to a Mehanas, then 28 levs back by some joker. So be careful and agree the fare before getting in.

The skiing / boarding and instruction

The good

Conditions were great the first few days, until the wind removed a large amount of snow.
As beginners the instruction we received (snowboarding) was great (look out for Joe and Marina)
As this was our first winter sports holiday, we cannot really compare the pistes with anything. However, as I progressed up the mountain I found the runs challenging without being overwhelming.

The bad

The Mehanas on the pistes are ok at best, with average and overpriced food (compared to the town).
The nursery slope to the right of the Gondola can get pretty icy when the conditions are poor, so not ideal for beginners.
The people that run the Gondola and Chair lifts (ULEN) are very rude. Whilst I understand that they deal with large numbers of people, they really should make more of an effort to be civil to those lining their pockets. I also don't think this is necessarily a Eastern European trait having found people from Latvia, Estonia etc very pleasant.


In summary I doubt I'll return to Bulgaria for snowboarding. Whilst I do prefer to mix up my holiday destinations, it takes something special to make me want to go back - and Bansko did not provide that.

Hope this helps, and to those still to go - Have a great time.