I stick by ridiculous, Dave, given that Bankso had a major and expensive redevelopment programme within the last decade.It seems someone got things wrong IF this description is a true reflection of the situation.
Like you, I've skied in old-established resorts that are constrained by location, terrain etc. Can't comment on Zermatt as have only skied and gawped at Monte Cervino from the Italian side. But the worst queue in recent memory was one Friday morning at Engelberg, a long-established ski area that is constrained by sheer cliffs and glacial terrain. The wait was so bad that the lift company opened up the ancient funicular railway - used only on high days and holidays - to get customers up the hill. The point I'm making is these are not 'modern, planned resorts' but ski areas which were developed in piecemeal fashion over many years. Bankso, it seems, had a blank piece of paper a decade ago and may well not have got it right...
Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?
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Started by Obergurgl12 in Bulgaria 30-Oct-2014 - 15 Replies
LOTA
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Nov-2014
Roger Mayne
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Nov-2014
Went there a few years ago, everything was fine, it may be a long queue first thing but you will not be doing it again all day. skiing is good for beginner/intermediate if you are good ok, expert look elsewhere.
Skied, Aviemore, Arinsal, Bansko,Notre Dame De Bellecombe, Saint Gervais, Termignon, Alpe D'Huez x 3, Flaine
CAPTA1N P
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Nov-2014
We went there 2 years ago in mid january and had fantastic snow, it was perfect. Snowed heavy the night we got there and again 3 days later. The gondola in the morning was a joke, even with ski school. We did end up queueing at 8am.
The instructor wouldn't take my partners 15 yr old son and 20 yr old daughter off the beginner slopes even though they had complete control in snowplough and were stepping into parallel, to do this he wanted more money. They won't move you around groups due to payment structure. We obviously took them up and taught them more than he did.
A Bulgarian I work with has a lot to say as well, he's not impressed with how Bansko has turned out
Could say a lot more about this place and won't be going back, but if you are, stay at the Kempinski.
The instructor wouldn't take my partners 15 yr old son and 20 yr old daughter off the beginner slopes even though they had complete control in snowplough and were stepping into parallel, to do this he wanted more money. They won't move you around groups due to payment structure. We obviously took them up and taught them more than he did.
A Bulgarian I work with has a lot to say as well, he's not impressed with how Bansko has turned out
Could say a lot more about this place and won't be going back, but if you are, stay at the Kempinski.
Ranchero_1979
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Nov-2014
99% of the time a long lift wait in the morning is associated with delayed opening as pistes are still being secured. Dark mornings in early season make this a given and inevitably it results in a choke point for 30min after opening, whatever time that happens to be. Anyone who moans about that should have their pass revoked so others in line don't have to listen.
LOTA
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Nov-2014
You describe a completely different issue, Ranchero. This is the failure of the resort lift system, not delays due to safety measures being implemented.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 23-Nov-2014
Allan Rothwell
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Dec-2014
Been to Bansko 3 times on the run then a change the last 2 years. Each year the conditions were brilliant but we went the week before half term each time. The place is not full of drag lifts, there are a mixture, the only problem is the lift at the base you get to the ski area which is a big telecabin, I used to join the queue at 10am and it took 20 mins to get to the cabin, I imagine in half term would be double that. Loved Bansko, loads of value bars and restaurants and great food, the traditional mehanas are brilliant and there is some great live music, Morris bar ace, happy hour all the time. Skiing is not as extensive as the alps but good enough for intermediates and beginners, plenty of runs. Its the best Bulgaria resort easily. Google pete from Explore Bansko for more information
Edited 1 time. Last update at 04-Dec-2014
StuHiggins
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted Feb-2015
Have never been to Bansko but am going this year, will be there this time in two weeks in fact. I have heard about the queues for the one and only Gondola from town to the ski area but apparently if you get there early you will be OK. To be honest, I'm always out by 7.30 - 8.00 to catch first lift and a bite to eat anyway so hoping it wont be an issue.
Winterfunman
reply to 'Bansko information, are the lift lines bad? is he place full of drag lifts?' posted May-2015
Sounds like the above lady , who moans a lot is more of a poser skier than an actual skier .
Has she even been to Bansko , or merely making points for the sake of it, I have skied / snowboarder all over the world, this year Canada had queues that were upto 2 hrs long .... people went back to hotels etc
I always get up early so I can get fresh tracks, something a lot of PUNTER skiers don't know what they are, as they are still drunk/ hung over or too lazy to get up to experience.
This year ULEN the mountain operator actually starting filling the gondola cars correctly , so queues even at half term weren't as bad as in previous years.
Has she even been to Bansko , or merely making points for the sake of it, I have skied / snowboarder all over the world, this year Canada had queues that were upto 2 hrs long .... people went back to hotels etc
I always get up early so I can get fresh tracks, something a lot of PUNTER skiers don't know what they are, as they are still drunk/ hung over or too lazy to get up to experience.
This year ULEN the mountain operator actually starting filling the gondola cars correctly , so queues even at half term weren't as bad as in previous years.
Topic last updated on 16-May-2015 at 16:11