Bansko

I was hoping that if I put "useful" tips, I might actually get some back - where to eat/drink etc. Telling me to cancel at this late stage is not exactly what I would call helpful. If your aim is to ensure that people are concerned about their holiday rather than have any hope of looking forward to it, Tony, then congratulations! I will post a report when we're back. Rustyinn - sorry you had a bad time but is there any advice you can give? (please don't say cancel, that's not helpful!)

You are spending new year with 11 of your friends/family, whats not to love? You will probably have a great time, it is getting a little colder in Bulgaria just now and the snow is starting to fall.

nikifinbow wrote:I was hoping that if I put "useful" tips, I might actually get some back - where to eat/drink etc. Telling me to cancel at this late stage is not exactly what I would call helpful. If your aim is to ensure that people are concerned about their holiday rather than have any hope of looking forward to it, Tony, then congratulations! I will post a report when we're back.

Apologies, thats not quite what I was meaning. Bulgaria is somewhere I would not choose to go for a skiing holiday when you consider how much of the Alps is available at similar prices. Having said that, like Ross says, with 12 of you going for New Year I am sure you will have a great time, and look forward to your report. It will be particularly interesting to compare it to where you have been in the Alps previously.

The reports I have had from fellow skiers who went to Bulgaria involved lots of negative issues unfortunately. I hope you have a good time.

I've read as many reviews as I possibly can and have certainly noted the bad comments (as well as the good - there are some!) which is why I was after helpful hints. Most of the group have been skiing before, and I'm certainly going with an open mind. The reason for choosing Bulgaria was cost. I have been to Courchevel around 5 times with my family and am aware that the skiing and general infrastructure there will be infinitely better than Bulgaria. Having said that, this is intended to be a cheap and cheerful trip - lift passes have cost us £90 for 6 days as opposed to the best part of £200 for the same in Courchevel. I don't think the two resorts can really be compared but I just want to make the best of Bansko, therefore any useful tips would be appreciated.

A bad day skiing beats a good day doing just about anything else.

I've never been, but from what people tell me, the skiing can be suprisingly good if the conditions are favourable and the Pirin Park is a UNESCO world herritage site.

Please post a quick report when you get back. I'd be interested in your experiences.

Bansko is a beautiful town if you can look past the building work which is going on. The place is getting better as time goes on and you will find it cheaper than most if not all european resorts. a skiing holiday is what you make of it no matter where you go and I wouldnt panic yet. There are plenty off good cheap mehanas and places to have a drink. They are catching on however on how to charge but there are plenty of places to chose from and especially the further you go down Pirin Street and into the old town. Go with a open mind and you will be pleasantly suprised.

Have a great time.

Cheers

Bryan Graham

have a look on www.bulgariaski.com/bansko for a more up to date report on how people are getting on as not alot of people here give good feedback to bansko.

i went 2 years ago and it was a rite laugh!
the mountain is really nice, lots of forest trail. the lifts are simple but effective providing its not too windy, same as anywhere.

the town is very simple and a bit rough round the edges but the little taverna places are awesome. we ate as much quality meat as u could throw a stick at drank till we fell over and never paid more than 8 quid each!

then theres the lion english pub which is crowded but a rea;l laugh full of a mix or nationalities playing all your old favourites!

theres a really nice hotel minski or sometghing like taht by the lift which several different restaraunts within in including a sushi bar!

check taht website and go with an open mind. the end of teh day your with friends on holiday!

Hi there,
Here's a few tips that might help you out:

It's worth booking a restaurant for New Years Eve if you want to go out for a meal - if you want any suggestions of mehanas just pm me.
At midnight on New Years Eve, there is a 360 degree firework display in the square which is fantastic. Then there's traditional dancing which anyone and everyone can join in with. A lot of people go down there with plastic glasses and a bottle of beer!

Most of the mountain restuarants are pretty average but this year there will be a sandwich van (english run) opposite the Fortuna pub near to the bottom of the gondola so you can always get your packed lunch before you head up the mountain! They'll also have mulled wine for when you get back down!

Happy End is the main apres ski bar and is a bit surreal - when you walk in at 5pm the podium dancers do look a bit odd, but they quite often have some really good bands on. it's one of the most expensive place though. The Irish Pub (was Sir Galahads)has been done up this summer and is looking very smart - its very popular with ex-pats and tourists and the prices have gone down for this season.
Harry's bar (under the Kandahar) apartments is very friendly and on some nights is packed and really lively.

Depending on what time you arrive, after 4.30pm you can buy your lift passes for the following day which means you can avoid the big queues on the morning of your 1st day. You can also pre-buy your passes to make it quicker.

Queues at the bottom of the gondola are big as its such a busy week. So, if you have your own transport just drive up to the 1st lift station or get to the lifts when they open at 8.30am, or have a lie in and wait till after 10.30am.
Taxis are a bit expensive but if you can get a minibus for all of you it might be worth it if you get to the gondola at peak time!
Last year the Salomon hire shop was running a minibus to the 2nd gondola station so it might be worth checking there.

Oh god, I've just realised that I've written you an essay! Hope some of it is helpful!