Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Guys,

Back at work today and back to internet access so I can tell you all about Bansko....

Start at the beginning - flights with BA were a pleasure, we had 14 people, got to Heathrow, straight to group check in, all done in minutes. Pretty much bang on time too, decent food (as far as airlines go) and free booze on the flight. Same for the return, no probs at all.

Stayed at a fully catered chalet run by Simon, Allan and Joy Applebee. Wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived in the town - looks a bit like a bomb site at the mo due to all the building works - but got to the chalet and we were all pretty delighted. Really well done place, great sauna, huge open fire in the living area, fantastically cheap honesty bar. They guys really looked after us for the week - nothing was too much trouble. Considering we were only the 3rd lot of guests that they had had (this is a brand new venture) they did an awesome job with the catering etc... Cheers guys.

As far as the skiing goes, I will agree with YT's comments from last year. Not ideal for beginners, but fab for improvers and above. Only prob we had was on the first day we decided we would go to the top of the mountain and ski the "easy" blue from the top. It was foggy as hell that day, and we ended up skiing the correct run, however this is actually a red. Not a prob for me and some of the others, but a really pain for some of the less experienced amongst us. Best advice I would give to anyone going who need to find there ski legs or has some not so good skiers in the group - head for blue 6. A really nice gentle run that is a good confidence builder. You live and learn....

Anyway, day 2 saw loads of fresh snow that started very early and continued most of the day - awesome fresh powder day was had by all, great fun. Then we had some blue sky days - great for the photos and again, in my opinion, really excellent skiing conditions. Continued in the same vein pretty much for the week, it was looking a little patchy in places (not enough to be a problem) untill the last day.... Snowed like hell up there, another fab day in the fluffy stuff. Shame they had to shut the top lifts due to the wind, but still more than enough to have a laugh on the last day. Finished the week by hammering it down the Tomba run again.

Will be going back to Bansko for sure, staying at then same place too (if they will have us back....) I need to see if I can beat my speed record. One of the guys had a GPS system that records the top speed that you reach - I got to 60.6 mph! Pretty scarey, but good fun too.

Anyway, thats about that, any questions, fire away and I will see what I can do. Looks like it will great skiing this week there.

IMT

Sound great!

Did you have snow in town before you left ... ITS A WHITE OUT NOW.

http://www.bulgariaski.com/webcam.php?resort=Bansko&img=1106571612

I assume you arranged this all your self rather than through an Tour op. Sound like you didn't have ski lessons either? How far was it to the Gondola and does a small place like that provide transport?

We keep getting varied reports about the suitability of Bansko for beginners. We have been to Pamps a few times but we are coming to Bansko this year with a couple of beginners. A report a week ago from someone returned who said it was fine and she had never put a ski on before?

Sound like you are hooked to Bansko then. I assume you found it better than Pamps. YT has just returned from Pamps and it sound like they preferred Pamps!

Liam

Hi Liam,

Yep, booked everything independantly - bit of a nightmare, but no prop in the end. 2 of my group had lessons - 3 x 2hr lessons were about a tenner a day each I think. Both got on very well though, one was sking the reds by the end of the week!!

The chalet was around 3-400 m from the gondela, but the owners supplied transport each day, there and back.

There was a dusting of snow in the town on Saturday morning, and much more was due... I think I prefer Bansko for the skiing - much more challenging, we are always to knackered for a big night out, so nightlife not that important.

IMT