Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Now then, having read all this about what people are assuming for Bansko next season, mostly based on their preconceptions and experiences ?? of previous seasons...
There is a major factor that few seem to have realised, fewer people are coming... The credit crunch has had a big effect on visitor numbers, especially the Brits and this is definately being reflected in the number of pre-bookings for the next winter season. Now this could be reflected (will be ??) in deserted slopes, falling prices due to lack of demand and the discounting of packages. Already we are seeing operators combining some flights, cancelling others, moving visitors from hotel to hotel.
In Bansko now i can tell you that prices for eating and drinking are as good as they were four years ago, and this should run over into the winter. The predictions for the snow this winter are good (old ladies ) so perhaps it could be a good time to come and have a look. Lift pass apart (thank you Mikey) BG still represents the best value ski holiday of anywhere else in Europe if you take it as a whole. Yes, i have a vested interest, and have decided to live here, but fortunately i am not totally reliant on the tourist, so can perhaps comment on the pros and cons.
I am off to Tignes early season and expect to spend as much in four days as i would in a fortnight here, going with a mate whose ten day pass in Banff cost as much as a season pass here.
One last point, the credit crunch has effected tourist numbers... but also the negativity (mostly based on hear-say) on this forum and others has an effect on peoples decisions to holiday in BG, if you are going to complain, please base your bleatings on fact, which is quite acceptable, the whole basis of a forum is to inform, but don't just moan because you can.. moan about the weather, the goverment etc, its what we Brits do best

Fact - the season pass in Les Deux Alpes is the same price as that in Bansko, and if you are a 'seasonaire' its even cheaper. And the ski area is ten times the size.
And anyway, cheap does not equal value and if its your one week a year getting the lowest cost is unlikely to be your objective. Don't get me wrong, I like Bansko for what it is and because its 2 hours down the road, but don't try and convince me that its a great ski resort because it is still some way from finding a happy equilibrium between price and facilities. Sometimes you're happy to play on the municipal golf course, sometimes you want the K Club....

Got my flights booked up for April 2010. Going out Good Friday and back the following Sunday so a nice 9 days.

BA flights were ... £140 rtn each. Given its Heathrow T5 (only 25 miles and the closest to our house) its fantastic value for money.

Luckily I have 1 finished place and 1 which will be completed by Summer 2010 so accomodation is free (well you could say I have lost the chance of renting out the place for the week but as its right at the end of the season + the credit crunch /economic downturn I'd say its a low chance of occupancy so little lost really).

Just need to sort out tfr's not sure yet if we want to hire a ca for the 9 days - seen £190 for that whole time which is very good value as I think a taxi is £100 rtn??)

I'd really like to go for Feb half term too but the flight cost is very very high currently. BA is one of th costlier ones but offer good flight times and ease of getting to the airport BUT the easy jet/Wizz air are cheaper but are landing 2-3am... so getting into Bansko at say 5-6am/maybe 7am if sno on the roads. So probably worth paying the extra for BA - OR not go then. Sadly as the Mrs is a teacher can only go peak times!