Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just got back from a week in Bansko: was ok but very little snow and lots of people trying to ski on it. No blue runs open for the absolute beginners like us to graduate onto from the crowded (small and only) nursery slope. Wound up going down the allegedly blue ski road - were advised not to! Very rocky - quite narrow in the steeper bits and not bashed so very challenging (I walked a bit of it cos it wasn't wide enough to traverse and I kept going into the powder which was full of rocks. My husband just kept going but lived to tell the tale. (One fatality while we were there - it wasn't really safe to wander off on your own).

We feel quite disappointed - thought with 80% of the resort covered by cannons they might have achieved more open pistes. We were told though that they were saving some for the new year so good luck to those of you on your way out.

We will ski again but not in Bansko. Maybe not in Bulgaria.

We have also got back from Bansko- but have a different experience to report. Yes, there was only a little snow, and just one red and one black were open.(The Ski Road to teh village was also open. The runs were, however, reasonably long and on Wednesday they openned an alternative red run. Christmas Eve and Day were very busy- as local people jpoined the holiday makers on the slopes- and there obviously was going to be a problem because so many pistes were closed.

But, I have to report that there was enough snow to enjoy a week's ski-ing. It can only get better. Anyone going this week will have a fine time. The resort is stunning, more characterful than places I have been to in Austria, Italy or France.

The scenery ( I went on top just to look) was STUNNING and the village so pretty in the snow (there are several inches in the village and it looks very festive). The Mehanas were excellent- great value and atmospheric. I thoroughly recommend Chardaka Laialev (by the statue) for a WONDERFUL atmosphere.

The quality of ski instruction was great and I for one will certainly be returning..even buying in Banso, it was SO good.

have a wonderful holiday anyone who is heading there because it is FINE!!!

It was our first skiing holiday and when we booked we asked about snow - the rep said there would be plenty and bless our naivety, we believed him!

In reply to Graham, for first time skiiers it was abysmal - the one nursery slope was crowded and at times icy, the "blue" ski road was not safe - an Ulen ski school instructor cut his head open on a rock on this "safe" road.

The resort was of course so safe that there was one fatality there that week, caused by a rock on the "perfectly groomed" slopes. There were also numerous other accidents.

I don't want to grouse too much - we did enjoy ourselves, but we do wish that tour operators would be more honest. Obviously - for more competent skiiers there was more available but it was only on Christmas day that the blue slope on the other side of the mountain was opened and the other runs - one mixed blue and red and one black were only suitable for more advanced skiiers. Beginners were being taken on these but against the advice of the main ski school administration and boarders had created an icy ditch in the middle of one of the longer blue runs long before it was "open".

Anyway - obviously we won't ski so early in the season again but I wish people wouldn't assume that "everybody knows" when snow is likely to fall where in europe because non-skiiers don't.

School Holidays also play an important part in peoples choice of when to travel.

I have to go at Christmas and half term hols ( 12 feb 05) Christmas seemed quite reasonably priced probably due to risk of no snow (which the tour operator did not mention)

February will cost almost double at well over £ 2100 all inclusive of ski hire etc. This is not a cheap holiday. I was so pleased that we had enough snow in Pamps at Christmas but looking at the reports coming in this week realise that we were very very lucky.