Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Yeah, that's the 2015 round though Dave. What we've been doing is using this coming seasons deals to price up alternatives for 2016 as Bansko has it on their site (possibly this one), that they're hosting another round of the ladies slalom thingy on the 21/22nd Feb 2016. However apparently La Thuile in Italy are claiming the same round! Unfortunately for me, La Thuile would have been my favoured alternative if Bansko wasn't available to us.

I'm running on a very tight budget y'see, so need to know well in advance if I need to start packing the money away for somewhere far more expensive.

I really don't know what the aversion is to visiting while the WC is on ? There is definitely no more visitors than normal, in fact it might even be quieter... The pistes affected will only interest better skiers, and to be honest there is still plenty to enjoy yourself on even if you are an expert. The racing is also a spectacle, and if you have never witnessed top skiers racing, it is a real experience... If i was to highlight any downside it would be the rush for the gondola in the morning, paying spectators having VIP access which can add to the wait if you get there a little late... Regarding the 2016 dates, Bansko has bid to host an WC event as has La Thuile, nothing will be confirmed till next year.. that is my understanding

We tend to visit Bansko in the first week of February, before the actual WC event is usually held as that week suits our group best. The last time the ladies WC round was held mid-February though (2 yrs ago maybe?), we found that quite a lot of the mountain was closed off for preparation whilst we were there. The snow was all plowed up on the race slopes and ice was being laid down in the furrows before the snow was raked back over again. This meant that although we still had our superb early morning runs, by mid-morning, the slopes that were open (and we as a group are generally capable of riding), were getting really, really overcrowded and by the afternoon were, in my opinion, mogul infested minefields. Not so great for the poor boarder in our group! There's a wee bit of a dispute going on between my mates and I whether we were there one or two weeks before the WC event mind you. I personally think when we were there, the slope preparation was all being done in readiness for the following weekend, my mates think it was a fortnight in advance.

My preference is for at least one more visit to Bansko after this upcoming February as it suits my current budget (cheeky holiday without shewhomustbeobeyed), however my mates are concerned that the earlier WC date of 21/22nd Feb in 2016 might have a knock on effect on our normal holiday week at the start of the month 30 Jan-6th Feb in 2016. Hence why they are currently using the upcoming season to start 'window shopping' for 2016 alternatives if the preparations for the WC event at Bansko are going to clash with our normal week away.

Finally, as I said at the start, the last bit of confusion appears to be that both Bansko and La Thuile are claiming to be hosting the WC event that weekend, although only La Thuile is mentioned in the draft FIS timetable. Personally, I'm hoping that either the event isn't being held at Bansko (sorry :-( ), or that the preparations won't begin until after our holiday.

Can you shed any light on how long the pre-race slope preparations generally take Steve?

Cheers

Craig Lapsley