Bulgaria Ski discussion board

honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 11:26

honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

this is a non bias account of skiing in bansko/ bulgaria.
just returned from a week in bansko and again it was a let down . first two days sun/mon the conditions were ok but as the week went on they got worse and worse. if you like skiing on rocks then this is the place to go. so glad i hired my kit . i would be in tears if it were my own. the base layer on most runs was only two inches thick at best and rapidly getting worse . by lunch the runs were more like moguls the hammer going ...
this is a non bias account of skiing in bansko/ bulgaria.
just returned from a week in bansko and again it was a let down . first two days sun/mon the conditions were ok but as the week went on they got worse and worse. if you like skiing on rocks then this is the place to go. so glad i hired my kit . i would be in tears if it were my own. the base layer on most runs was only two inches thick at best and rapidly getting worse . by lunch the runs were more like moguls the hammer going through your legs was unbearable. the amount of ice on some runs was not pleasant due to the runs melting in the day and freezing at night . the food is slop.my dog eats better. the only plus point is they have sorted out the queing problem .
yours jason cumberland(never to return)

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Steve E Author:Steve E posts : 34   (Beginner)Date : 01-16-11 11:43

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

Jason

Thank you very much for the strait forward and painful report. it is very important for us getting up to date reports from "the field" since we're due to this wednesday and maybe we'll just have to postpone.

If anyone else that is in bansko right now or just came back yesterday can comment on that, it would be of great help. today is the last day i can postpone my trip (thinking about postponing to mid febuary).

Steve E
jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 12:23

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

IF they get a lot more snow then there is no problem . in my veiw it needs to be a foot or so . todorka is not open nor is red 12 . dont know if you know the resort. say 3/4 is open . we were out there with the russians and poles so there was a lot of pushing and shoving even if there were no queing . its just theyre way . lead to believe they have gone home now . there new year has finished. spoke to a guy in ski school and he arrived saturday and finally did a run on his last day
jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 12:23

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

IF they get a lot more snow then there is no problem . in my veiw it needs to be a foot or so . todorka is not open nor is red 12 . dont know if you know the resort. say 3/4 is open . we were out there with the russians and poles so there was a lot of pushing and shoving even if there were no queing . its just theyre way . lead to believe they have gone home now . there new year has finished. spoke to a guy in ski school and he arrived saturday and finally did a run on his last day
jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 12:23

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

IF they get a lot more snow then there is no problem . in my veiw it needs to be a foot or so . todorka is not open nor is red 12 . dont know if you know the resort. say 3/4 is open . we were out there with the russians and poles so there was a lot of pushing and shoving even if there were no queing . its just theyre way . lead to believe they have gone home now . there new year has finished. spoke to a guy in ski school and he arrived saturday and finally did a run on his last day
nightmuffy Author:nightmuffy posts : 1359   (Master)Date : 01-16-11 12:47

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

Hi, Im in Bansko right now, i live here. Conditions are getting worse daily. They did have a small snowfall last night up the top but only very small.
Silver Lining is that we have been given severe weather warning from 20th onwards for 3days all over Bulgaria for snow storms etc etc.....hopefully this will come we definately need it!!!!!! Could do with a metre or more up there.
jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 13:16

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

it was forecasted snow on wednesday of last week but all that happend was a cloud rolled in and we skied in fog . couldnt see ten feet in front
Steve E Author:Steve E posts : 34   (Beginner)Date : 01-16-11 13:28

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

Jason, when did you come back ? was it last saturday (January 15) ?

right now there are 8 slopes open (5, 5a, 6,7,8 in the middle and the lower 1,15,16). you've mentioned the snow thickness is 2 inch. is that the situation in all those slopes or just in some ? could you assess which slopes won't make it by the weekend (assuming no new snow will come), and which will remain open and make a reasonable snow boarding experience possible ?

Thanks
Steve
jason cumberland Author:jason cumberland posts : 87   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 13:43

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

came back yesterday. dont know if you have been before. slopes red 8 and seven are about 300mts long takes about 30 secs to complete . i am still a fairly novice skier and me and my 12 yr old son completed resort in less than two days . the best run was blue 5 but split down to monda lift . this was fine first thing but couldnt cope with the hammer and soon was just lumps of snow with an ice base and rocks . the good thing this year compered to last is there are less queues so you can get ...
came back yesterday. dont know if you have been before. slopes red 8 and seven are about 300mts long takes about 30 secs to complete . i am still a fairly novice skier and me and my 12 yr old son completed resort in less than two days . the best run was blue 5 but split down to monda lift . this was fine first thing but couldnt cope with the hammer and soon was just lumps of snow with an ice base and rocks . the good thing this year compered to last is there are less queues so you can get around better. the runs seemed to change hour by hour. but gradually getting worse. they need at least three foot so they can make another base

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WFM Author:WFM posts : 177   (Intermediate)Date : 01-16-11 13:46

re: honest account of bansko/ bulgaria

Only consolation , tignes is in as abad a snow state too , but ppl i know who are there have paid alot more for flights, passes ,and now not alot of snow , any other activities are alot more expensive .

Mother nature is and always be apain we have to live with