Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Back from Bansko for second time this year. Had heaps of snow over New Year and when we arrived this time on 18 March it was warm and sunny and lower slopes were suffering a bit but hey, its late March and the rest of Europe is hardly under tons of snow lower down. Lots of snow mid-week made all the difference and we had fantastic skiing. Have read lots of comments on this forum and amazed by negative comments related to snow conditions/prices/building work. None of us can control snow anywhere in Europe and you take your chances with resorts. Prices we found were still much lower than other countries. The people were friendly and no discourteous behaviour at the gondola/lifts. We did not queue a single day at the gondola in March altho New Year was very busy with long queues but it was super- peak season then. No queues at the chair lifts once on the mountain at any times. If you eat in the mehanas the value is excellent and the food terrific but if you want simple food you can do it cheaper. We went independently booking flights, car hire (but you can pre-book a transfer cheaper than car rental), room rental all over the internet and also booked ski equipment and ski pass on arrival - simple!! Cheaper than France, Austria, etc. and we had a fantastic time. I agree with a comment made on the yes/no discussion regarding independent travel and cannot understand why more people do not do it - its easy and cheaper. Forget the development work - its nowhere near the ski area and anyway it is reducing and moving away from the main town. We will certainly go back and enjoy it again.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, only 7 sleeps then were there for 8 days cannot wait. First time skiing and 4th time in Bansko (1st time in Winter season other times have been summer which is very relaxing no stress no packed out like the Beach resorts and the Beerfest which lasts 2 weeks followed by a further week of the Jazz festival).

Do you know what the snow forecast was like when you left for the forthcoming week? Any forecast snow dumps?

Im looking at one website and its showing town temps of up to 24 degrees.... with a min of 8-12degrees. Im happy with that provided it doesnt ruin the skiing - although even then we can still have a great holiday there.

Fully agree with you about the food Mehanas are the way to go, even food in the 24hr Lion bar wasnt that expensive when we went there in Aug06 & Aug07.

Im wondering if you buy the 6 day ski pass ski equipment & ski lessons and lets say the gondela is closed due to high winds for a few of the days are you allowed to claim back some of that money from the place you hired the gear+ lessons or is it more complex and you have to claim back on your insurance policy?

Regards

The problem is that people keep generalising about Bulgaria as a whole when they've only been to one resort. Bansko still gets it's complaints but unlike Pamps and Boro it has actually improved over the last few years. Between last year and this they've added 2 great new runs at chalin valog + the chair and drag lift that services them. Piste maintanence and snow making is far better than at Pamps or Boro. It says a lot when you can still use the ski road to the resort when the temperatures are 20 degrees in town as they were for a couple of days whan I was last there. Complaints have increased this year but it's Pamps and Boro that for a number of reasons are getting worse. Bansko has its problems but it's moving forward and in many ways has surpassed the other resorts in most of the important aspects. The blame for the increase in negative posts this year does not lie with Bansko. Pull your socks up Pamps and Boro.

Just seen this and there is 5cm on Thurs & Fri next week of fresh snow forecast!

http://www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast/Bulgaria/Bansko_snow.html

I guess thats fair enough you have to book for a week - but then refusing to accept you back if you miss a day or two days over the week! Your the customer.

Anyway as per all my posts every Bulgarian we have met in Bansko and on trips around the area have been fantastic really friendly - they make a real effort with you. I recall one day we went out for a long hike to god knows where and stumbled accross this tiny ramshackle hut which as it turned out served food we popped in for a lunch time meal incredible service and the owner then came and sat with us drinking his home made Wine Brandy. They couldnt speak much English and we cannot speak any Bulgarian however we managed to get through the bottle between 4 of us while having a lot of fun.

We don go out for the 18-30 style holidays (only went once at 17...) and dont get smashed - of course do get drunk/merry and have a good time.

The reason instructors sometime don't allow people back into class is if they miss too many classes they then hinder the progress of the rest of the class. 3 girls who didnt turn up in my beginners group didnt turn up for 3 days in a row because they were out on the booze and couldnt get up in morning. Our instuctor refused them as we were ready to go to top of mountain while they were still complete novice. They threw a hissy fit and complained to rep but when instrucor explained they had no comeback and ended up spending rest of week with another instructor on lower slopes.

As for the gondola, ive never known it to be shut due to high winds, its quite well protected, ive only known the chailift to todorka peak and the tows on top at the plato shut due to high winds. But soon as wind drops below limit they have been quick to reopen them.