Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Off-piste in Bansko

Hi!
Me and a friend are going to Bansko in Feb an we're both really excited, but just wanted to know how safe off-piste skiing is, and how much opportunity is there for it? Is it best to go with a guide? How much are they?
Mike

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Have a look at www.oxo.bg - yes I know, it's all in Cyrillic but if you mail the guy (Andrey - mail addy at bottom of the page) he'll reply in English.
The reason I picked Bansko was because of the cheap off-piste and hope of cheap heli too. Not much chance of that unless conditions do improve a lot I reckon - I'm off first week in Feb.

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Thanks for the advice!
I've been trying to find out more about heli-skiing in Bansko but I can't find anythig except little mentions on the internet!!

re: Off-piste in Bansko

I've contacted the guy above about it - not as easy to sort as I was led to believe by articles in Whitelines etc though. Didn't sound so cheap either - there's one heli at Bansko which can sometimes be used otherwise you have to pay for flight time from Sofia apparently is what I've heard. When in Feb you going?

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Nice site - and towards the top right of the homepage there's an English language option.

re: Off-piste in Bansko

I believe that there is another company called Extreme that offers off-piste guiding. Perhaps Google for them, they may be cheaper or offer a better range of services.

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Most of the Ulen ski instructors do private instruction or off piste guiding on the side. Have a word with them when you get there. Heli skiing used to be available in ancient Russian machines but I haven't heard of it for several years now.

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Gomesy.

Febs good for off piste but as you know it depends on the temps and weather as to how safe it is. Feb is normally good but the tail end of march gets a bit dodgey as it warms up (avalanche season). Keep in mind the weather this season has been a little ,mad to say the least, definatly get a guide.
Try these guys http://www.banskotravel.com/freeride.php
They are experinced mountain guides and the owner Vlado is a top bloke. Tell him Andrew from JunkiGear sent you.

re: Off-piste in Bansko

hiya give ash newnes a visit at the method snowsport school say steve from the ill-eagleboarders sent yer ,he is a top guy and does all off piste and back country stuff as well as beginners lessons and freestyle ,check his site out at http://www.methodsnowschool.com/

re: Off-piste in Bansko

Forgot about Ash. Good one Steve.