The truth about Bansko......

Firstly, apologies if this turns out to be an epic!

Finally made it back from Bansko after a 30 hour delay in Sofia – snow meant that planes couldn’t take off. All a bit farcical at the airport - all the staff seemed to disappear for fear of being mobbed by angry passengers and we weren’t getting any updates. On top of that, it took 2 hours for us to get our luggage when it hadn't made it any further than the luggage trolleys as our plane couldn't land! On the other hand, Inghams reps were brill and we spent a night in a lovely hotel in Sofia.

Events at the airport and associated frustration slightly marred what was otherwise a really good holiday. Also, my dad was knocked over by a stupid boarder who ignored the “slow” signs on a very icy patch and ended up with 4 fractured ribs so he didn’t do much skiing as that was on the first day. His experience of the medical centre in Bansko was good but the same can’t be said of the hospital – when they asked if he wanted to stay in overnight, it was a definite no!

Our apartments were fab – all brand new, clean and warm. Few little quibbles – such as no TV aerial but I wasn’t too bothered as we weren’t there to watch TV!

Queue for gondola was bad on the first day but we were late getting there as we went to the welcome meeting and had to collect passes, skis etc. We tried to be there for 8.30 every morning to beat the queues but did end up queuing for about an hour one morning. Queues on NY day were non-existent and I’m glad I made it out as it was quiet and the snow was good, probably the best day for skiing overall. Ski equipment was fine, no-one had any problems, other than the hire shop opening late a couple of mornings, meaning more queuing.

Quality of ski school was a bit hit and miss. Two of our party had signed up but only ended up doing 2 days, rest of the time they came out with the rest of us. One day, four of us hired an instructor for 2 hours, which wasn’t great but was cheap and meant we skipped the gondola queue on a very busy morning, so almost worthwhile.

Conditions were ok, more snow needed really. Snowed a fair amount on our last day and kept on doing so – kind of wish we had gone this week as conditions will be better. Not all runs were open and on those that were, there were some exposed patches and quite a bit of ice. We stuck mostly to blue runs, but did a couple of the nicer reds. Not as much piste bashing going on as there would be in other places. Run back to Bansko was a nice gentle one so you couldn’t really end the day badly unlike La Tania and the Folyeres run back to the village.

Food was ok, again a bit hit and miss but generally best if you ordered Bulgarian food, although most was served lukewarm. Excellent (and cheap) pizza and chicken kebabs near Bla Bla restaurant up on the slopes. Definitely cheaper than Alps but probably same prices as going out to eat/drink here, although you could get some bargains. Drinks were a bit cheaper – we found a great little bar in the Hotel Ida just opposite our apartments with a brilliant bar maid who made excellent cocktails. The new Irish Pub was also good fun, especially on NY Eve.

Bulgarians were quite surly as a general rule but being polite and smiling tended to get you somewhere. They seemed to prefer looking after their own rather than the tourists.

To everyone who gave me helpful tips, a big thank you. I’m so glad I went having read all your advice as it meant I knew roughly what to expect – forewarned is forearmed!

Would I go back to Bansko – yes, if someone was arranging a trip and asked me to go. However, if I was arranging another trip (too early to tell yet, still getting over the stress of this one – organising and trying to please 13 people, some of whom have very high standards, isn’t easy), I would choose somewhere else, partly because I like trying different places and also because once Bulgaria go on to the Euro, it will be much more expensive. I’ve asked others in our party the same thing and got a mixed reaction – some would agree with me but others would not.

If you’ve booked to go to Bansko already, don’t be put off by the bad comments you read – go with an open mind and read as much as you can beforehand. I would suggest self-catering as I heard bad reviews of hotel food. If you’re thinking about going to Bansko, give it a try. It’s not the Alps but at the moment, it is a cheaper option and you can have a great holiday.

Niki

Great you had a good time and it was a bit of an epic but worth a read. Waiting an hour for a Gondola would be enough to put me off going anywhere.

Dear Nikifinbow,
regarding the queue on the gondola you are right, but I would like to assure you that it's happening only on celebrations like Christmas, New Year etc. when a lot of people gathering together on one place, the rest of the time there aren't any queues.

Thank you for your review.
Regards :D

No queues, at all? Or my money back?

Nice, honest and fair review Niki - well done and I am delighted you enjoyed your trip.

Towards the end of your report you say

organising and trying to please 13 people, some of whom have very high standards, isn’t easy

This is a thorny area. I have been involved in organising a large group of friends skiing for a number of years and I know the amount of work involved in getting things sorted out. Unless you are getting a free trip or getting paid in some other manner, you are doing them a big favour and they should understand that. Thankfully, the group I travel with do get this and are very appreciative of the effort the organisers make on their behalf.

Provided you do not mislead them about what to expect, they should not be expecting you to act as a tour rep and should not hold you responsible for pretty much anything that goes wrong (unless, of course, you have completely messed up in a really stupid way). If they don't see that, then I would leave them to their own devices in future and look after yourself :wink:.

Thanks Wanderer. I know most of the group appreciated everything I did and I had certainly told them what I had read before we went so they they knew what to expect. There were just a few uncomfortable moments, usually in restaurants. On reflection, I think I took things a bit personally at times but I just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves!

Despite this, I am thinking about maybe planning another trip for next New Year and just wondered if you had any tips on where else to go as a group. I'd rather avoid France as I'm off to La Tania over Easter with family anyway (plus two more trips to France this year) and had been thinking about Italy. I've also been looking at Slovakia as price is important, although I am aware that New Year won't give the best deals for anywhere.

We have gone with Crystal for a number of years and used their clubhotels - usually in big resorts, pretty good facilities and reasonable prices. Also they are very good for families, often with creche and kids clubs on site. A lot of them are in France but they also have a few in other locations.

Unfortunately, New Year is expensive and with a large group, you cannot afford to wait for late offers. The TOs know this and load up the prices to an outrageous extent, particularly as group discounts and child free places tend to disappear. With luck and perhaps some imagination, going DIY can eliminate some of the seasonal loading. Check out flight costs but do not expect the low fares available at other times. Also consider whether driving is a possibility or even flying to Paris and taking the train from there but be aware that going DIY will increase your job dramatically.

After that, the choice of resorts is virtually unlimited, though for a large group, you will probably need the range offered by the larger resorts.

Good luck in your search.

2 things:

Dont go anywhere New Year week if you dont like queues, and dont go to Bulgaria if you like civilisation.