You Say
“@bansko your tweets are fantastic can’t wait to be there again next year please keep the pictures coming brightens up my day!” — Dan Williams via @bansko (UK)
“Hi Lance, Just wanted to say a huge thanks for your help in arranging ski equipment, lessons, passes and transfers for us last week. Ski Mania were excellent, the lessons the children had were really good and only 3 of them in the class! We will definitely be coming back to Bansko next year as it’s a perfect location for a family ski holiday at the right price! We had great food all week but Victoria deserves a special mention as it was really nice. Many Thanks.” — Paul (UK)
“Hi Lance, heading to Bansko at the beginning of February for a couple of weeks and will be our second trip. Have learnt plenty of good advise and tips from your excellent blog.” — Chris Vaughan (UK)
“Lance, I am now back in the UK. Sometimes it’s always easy to write a letter/e-mail when things have gone wrong etc. However, I am a believer in ensuring that communication is sent went things go perfectly as well. Having not dealt with anyone in Bulgaria before, it is always a ‘concern’ that “What if it all goes wrong”. I should have trusted myself more. We arrived at the airport to a nice welcome, followed by great (and informative) transfer to Bansko. Ski Mania could not have been more helpful. The return transfer was prompt and excellent. Totally perfect.
If you require a ‘testimonial’ for your potential UK clients, let me know and I will provide as from my experience, BanskoBlog have got it sorted.
Just one point that maybe worth considering. We didn’t store our Skis at SkiMania as they didn’t open until 8am, by which time the lift queue was building. We chose to set off early and arrive for 7:45am to find nearly no queue at all which leads to a great start to the day. I reckon Ski-Mania could offer a service ( and charge for it ) that allows daily collection of Skis from 7:30am. I believe people would pay a little supplement for this. Just a thought.” — David Brereton (UK) 13th January 2012
LANCE REPLIES. Thank you David. Re ski shop opening SkiMania ARE open at 07:50 every morning and will open earlier (07:30 is fine) on request. NO CHARGE for this. Please note some of the Bansko hire places do not open until 08:30!
“Lance, Just had the 2nd day of skiing which has been perfect. 1st time in deep powder. The 1 to 1 coaching is a must. I too want to carve like the instructors… my skiing has come on leaps and bounds in a short time. Hopefully meet up in bar this week or next.” — William Steele in Bansko; 6th January 2012.
“Hi Lance, I have just returned back from my holiday in Bansko. My family and I had a super time. I just wanted you to know that we were all extremely pleased with SkiMania. The staff in the ski shop were very friendly & approachable and very helpful, which was so important to us as it was our first time there. I was also very impressed with the quality of the equipment. The Ski instructors we had (Kalin & Nick) were also very friendly and polite and again we all thoroughly enjoyed our lessons! Excellent service!! Bansko is a super place and we will definitely be spreading the word to our friends and customers and we will for sure be coming back next year!! Anyway, thanks again for all your help and advice….keep up the good work!!!! – Liz Morgan (UK)
“Thanks Lance , A great email , You really do keep us updated, its quality. Im always keeping my eye on the web cam , I check it everyday.Thanks for trying to help me when I contacted you over me breaking my tooth last month, I appreciated it.Its all sorted now. Snow looks awesome, we might try to get out in March . Take care and thanks again.” — Jayne Bradbury (UK)
“Hi Lance. Been watching your blog for some time and decided to do a week in Bansko (Dec 2011) and WOW. Stopped at the Grand Montana, and got to say what a brilliant and beautyiful place bansko is. AS avid snowboarder for nearly 25 yrs and been to some places(Italy, France etc) but none as friendly as Bansko. Went to Sopranos in Happy End bar and was well impressed. quality and quantity paramount. Also visited many of the local small resturants in the village and what a warm welcome we got. Nice to see the runs are opening. We arrived at the start of the season on Saturday with all the Fireworks etc, but was a little disapointed with only 2 runs open. saying that it did dump a massive amount onSunday which made it more fun on the slopes. Will be back next year but around the end of jan-Feb 12. meanwhile i am looking at property prices, maybe buy a property, so great to see some handy hints on security, any hints on requirements and laws on buying property in Bansko would be a great help. Happy New year to you Lance and Bansko. keep up the BanskoBlog.” — Roy (UK)
“Fab, Fab, Fab. Just leaving now for the marathon drive. Can’t wait to get there. Thanks for all of your help, you’ve been great.” — Tracey Gayle (Athens, Greece)
“Hello Lance, it’s Anestis from Athens… thanks for the awesome updates from bansko! I’m planning a trip for a party of 4, (including me). I’ve just filled in your excel sheet with all our classes and equipment! Have a look and let me know. We are planning to start driving the next day after Christmas.” — Anestis (Greece)
“Hi Lance, Firstly I just want to say how helpful your website is! I’m thinking of booking an extra ski trip this year but I’d be traveling solo so I’ve been researching more than I normally would to minimise any unknowns that may crop up whilst I’m out there and your site has been super!…” — Lois de Lacey
“Hi Lance, I’m Anestis from Athens. Great job on the bansko blog… we really appreciate keeping us informed on our favourite Balkan ski resort!!” — Anestis Iliadis (Athens, Greece)
“I have found the blog and information you have provided invaluable as this will be my first visit to Bansko.” — Justin Martin (UK)
“Hi Lance, Thanks for all your really helpful E-mails about bansko, we are really looking forward to going for New year. I have enclosed our booking form for both ski and snowboard hire as well as a transfer from Sofia.” — Karin Al-Shammaa (UK)
“Hi Lance, I’ve been using your site for a couple of trips to Bansko now – it’s the best resource for Bansko information on the web!” — Bradley Phipps (UK)
“Thanks for the email – enjoying these updates as I can’t wait to get out there in January after my big final medical exams!” — David Budd (UK)
“Dear Mr. Nelson, I got your e-mail from your terrific website Bansko Blog. It’s a good source for people like us, who will come to Bansko from abroad.” — Balkan Sencan (Turkey)
“Firstly can I say that I enjoy reading your very informative Blog on Bansko which I often forward to my friends and family. Keep up the good work!” — Michael M
Hi Lance, great to get your emails it brightens my day thinking about Bansko and all the many friends we have made…” — Teresa S (UK)
“So far so good – friendly efficient service from Lance – and everything sorted in one place – very easy!” — Adrian Cull (UK)
“Hi Lance, I just want to say a big thanks for a great, easy and trustworthy site. We hired our equipment through you and you were quick, efficient and the guys at Bansko Ski Mania were always friendly and helpful. I can’t believe how cheap it was! Thanks again, I will definitely be recommending you to any friends going to Bansko!” – Susie (UK)
“Lance, would just like to say how much we enjoyed our ski holiday. It was everything that we wanted for first timers. Cannot fault your recommendations either, especially Ski Mania, the two lads and the young lady in the shop were absolutely fantastic. …We will almost certainly go again, when I am not sure, but again will be a must. I would also like to endorse the transfer company, excellent, Philip could not have been more helpful and Gorgio our driver almost became one of the family, great. We will certainly pass on the word. Regards,” – Gordon (UK) 
“Lance, We have recently returned from our holiday and would like to thank you for your help with equipment hire and ski lessons arranged with Ski Mania. George and his team could not have been more helpful or more pleasant which greatly enhanced our holiday experience.. You even managed to arrange a lovely fall of snow just as we arrived. Couldn’t be better! We hope to be able to use your services again next year. Enjoy the rest of the season. Many thanks” – Eileen C. Kerr (UK)
“Hi Lance, Our skiing holiday was absolutely brilliant. We enjoyed six days of fresh snow and nearly empty red runs. Thanks for all your help.” — Sara Williams (UK)
“Hi Lance, Just to let you know that we had a fantastic week in Bansko last week. It has to be one of the best skiing holidays we have had. The weather and ski conditions were brilliant and the atmosphere at the weekend with the Men’s downhill was good fun. We got the student lift pass discount just by dates of birth, they didn’t query it at all. Everything was ok except on the 2nd day they got a little confused with our stuff and gave my son the wrong boots which we didn’t realise until we had got up the mountain!!! All was fine as our ski instructor adjusted the ski’s for him. Thanks for all your help with everything, we will definitely be back next year.” Kind regards – Liz Mann (UK)
“Hey, Great site. Really helpful info thank you. I’m heading to Bansko in March. Do you have an updated “getting the best guide” Thanks” — Liam Thomas
“…By the way Bansko Blog is great i am on here every day, its now the only weather forecast and update that i trust. Great Work” — Daniel Forward (UK)
“The blog has been really helpful in the lead up to our holiday and we are all very happy to see you are finally getting a bit of snow.” — George Adamson (UK)
“Lance, Many thanks for your prompt service as usual. Looking forward to next week, fingers crossed for a dump of snow on the weekend.” — Steve Lewis (UK)
“Hi Lance, The trip was fantastic and everything went off without a problem. The driver was great and it worked out cheap between three. The ski hire was good too and the guys were really nice and charming taking our skiis immediately and bringing us all our equipment every morning with a smile but the person we most wanted to highlight was the ski instructor mario: he was, by all accounts, a fantastic teacher and also a really nice bloke and Alice was really happy with her lessons. So, thanks for all your help and if you want to know about anything else don’t hesitate to drop me an email.” — James Allen (UK)
“Hello Lance, Please find attached a booking form for 5 days VIP ski, boot and pole hire and 5 Full day group lessons. I’d like to pre pay by credit card. Many thanks, terrific site BanksoBlog and great advice too from SkiMania, All the best” – Fiona Burn (UK)
“I can’t wait to get there! Will be mine and my wifes first real snowboard trip where we actually know how to snowboard (we are from Australia and only saw snow for the first time in our lives this year) so your blog is keeping me going until I get there! I’m not sure if everyone would like a snow update each day, but I know I sure would! I religiously check your blog each morning hoping you have put up a new post about the conditions that day. Even if its just a written one or two line paragraph and a photo, I would be happy. Other than that, thanks for all the great info you put on it. Regards” — Joel Scully (UK)
“Hi Lance, We returned to UK on Boxing day after a short delay at Sofia. Without exception we all enjoyed a wonderful week of skiing. As beginners, we were able to ski every day as the nursery slope, 1 blue run and the snow road were open for the duration of our visit. Thanks for all your help in getting the lessons and equipment booked. As you said in your blog, George is very helpful and the skimania were extremely helpful, friendly and patient. Mario, our instructor, was perfect and demonstrated how to get seven non-skiers onto the slopes and confident in less than three days. By the third day we were able to ski down the snow road and on the fourth day went down several times on our own. The holiday was perfect and a great start to the Christmas season and we all have great memories of our accomplishments. We are even considering doing the same again next year!! Thanks once again to you and your contacts for giving us such a great experience. All the very best for the rest of the season to your and everyone over there.” — Milton (UK), 28th December 2010
“Excellent Lance, many thanks for sorting this out so quickly. If I find out anything useful, I’ll be sure to report back.” Mick Ayers (UK)
“very impressed with your site & twitter etc which is very informative – great work!”
Joanne Auld (UK) “Lance, Thanks, very much appreciated. I’ll have no doubt found your blog very useful by the end of January so more than happy to recommend you.” — Dave Smith (UK)
“Hi Lance, Great blog! A few quick questions: 1. Do you have any info on transfers from Plovdiv? how is the bus/train services? 2. Im looking for a place for 2 people (might change to 4, all beginners) around mid february, can you send some info on prices and availability? 3.In order to get the discount on hire and tuition, Do I have to book by the end of November? Many Thanks” — Arik (UK)
“Dear Lance, I am sending you the booking form. Just notify us when to pay by. Thanks for being so helpful, cheers! Sincerely, Ivana&Viktor (Serbia)
“Thank you for the advice, and maybe we will cross paths on the piste this year
All the best, Rob.” — Rob Bowden (UK)
“Hi Lance, Just to say thank you for recommending Vas for ski instruction. Not only did my skiing improve but also my networking with all the young girls that were on the slopes and in the town improved considerably. The only problem I had was that due my age I had to introduce myself as his father, but I had a great three days in his company. It was so good to speak to you as the blog has been so useful to me and my family. Thanks again” — John King (UK)
“Hi Lance; We just arrived back yesterday (March 23) from Bansko! It was a good experience and we have good weather and good snow (except Sunday and Monday), were the snow was very difficult and sometimes tricky. Anyhow it was a good stay! Thanks for your blog and indications.” — Tomaz Crespo (Portugal)
“Hi Lance, first of all may I thank you so very much for arranging our lift passes and equipment hire, everything ran smoothly and arriving on 8th March we had an incredible week! Snowing constantly for the first 3/4 days and then glorious sunshire afterwards! I booked through yourself at BanskoBlog.com, no complaints what so ever! Bansko Ski Mania the hire company are literally at the bottom of the slopes, friendly staff, excellent well serviced equipment. Lift passes were ready for us when we arrived and we could even pick them up the day before so no delays on our first day of skiing! Also an excellent saving on the prices we saw in resort! Thank you once again!” — Simon Froggatt (UK) “Impressed with the Blog” – Pete H (UK)
“Hi Lance, Just wanted to say thanks for a great blog, the recommendation for the hire shop — was brilliant, have skied in the US and Canada a lot but their kit was the best quality I’ve ever hired and comfiest ski boots, thanks!” – Nicky Addis
“Hi Lance, we were in Bansko in early Jan and did not have a bad meal in any of the Mehanas we ate in all reasonably priced. Really liked ‘Mehana Motikita’ and the Fancy Bar which we used as salvation coming off the ski road. Looking forward to coming back to Bansko next year. Keep up the excellent blog. ” — John Dutson (UK)
“Sorry to have missed seeing you. We made it to JJ Murphy’s but suspect we were alot earlier than you, boys were starving and tired after their skiing adventures. A great week’s skiing, and good service from BanskoSkiMania — thank you for sorting that all out.” — Richard Millman (UK)
“Thanks for all the good advice!” — Charlie Joseph (UK)
“Thanks for your help it’s much appreciated
” – Pete Grant (UK)
“Hi Lance, I have been following your blogs since my girlfriend and I booked our holiday to Bansko (6/3/10) and I must say I’ve been very impressed. Very helpful site.” – Pete (UK)
“Hi Lance just like to say thanks. Your Blog it is very helpfull, I have filled out the ski hire form you sent and wonderd if you could give me a price for my daughter to hire skis and boots and have lessons.” – Sean
“I am so happy that you have mention Lucky Bansko as one of the best hotels …Me and my family are coming this Sunday…Hope we will have great time. Have a nice day and thanks for all the information that you provide, it is very helpful” — Marta
“thanks for the site – it’s really helpful!” — Chris Perryer (UK)
“Hi, thanks for your blog I have found it useful, and it made me want to try out Bansko before bringing a larger group next season.” — Anthony Constantinou (Greece)
“Hi Lance – good to see the u-tube vid of the Head ski test – you really need to use your knees more!” — Merv (UK)
“Hello Lance, first of all, I want to thank you all the information you have provided me. I’m a Spanish lawyer, Me and some friends of mine three years ago we bought several apartments in the complex Prespa. Last year we were in Bansko and we liked it very much. This year will certainly go again later this month. Thanks for all the information and continue talking.” — Sergio (Spain)
“Great blog, very useful information.” — Adrian Smith (UK)
“Hi Lance, I have a apartment out in Bansko and love the place and think it’s great that you are making people aware of the few people out there who are trying to make a quick buck!!It could be such an amazing place if we all work together to make everyone’s holiday a better one. I have been 4 times now and have learnt the hard way about Bansko but I always have a good time with great snow! Thanks for the great site and keep up the good work.” — Aaron (UK)
“Just thought I would let you know that I bought boots (Head Edge+ 8.5) from the Head Test Centre on your recommendation even though I am a beginner. Stampi was awesome and my son (UK BASI Quailified) was impressed with his advice, he wouldn’t sell me the initial boots I tried as they were unsuitable although they felt fine to me! I was VERY impressed, thanks for your help!! …PS I got the 10% discount as well!” — Paul Barrett (UK)
“Hi Lance, Thanks for the daily videos they are great. There are 3 of us coming out on the 4th of Feb and coming home on the monday 8th.” — Matt Fowler
“Hi Lance, Thanks for the updates! Actually heading out to Bansko on Saturday for a week so it looks like we’ve hit the snow right on target! Great to read such positive snow reports in your blog today!”
“Hi Lance, Keep up the good work! My wife Chris and I went out to Bansko to our apartments in Mountain Dream over Christmas and New Year, ( if I’d known you were out there we could have met for a beer. ) This is just to say that I think your Banskoblog is very useful to all us Bansko fanatics and as I said keep up the good work.” – Kevin Elliot (UK)
“Lance, thankyou for all your information….I am really looking forward to bringing my family over to Bansko as we really want to experience the place and spend time exploring it all so your blogs are very informative.” – Nicola Cole
“Hi Lance, Cheers for all the top info you’ve been sending to me over the last few days. Arriving in bansko late sat night so fingers crossed the conditions will be spot on for some top boarding on sunday” – Martin Williams (UK)
“Hi, Please find attached a booking form for ski hire, many thanks and keep up the good work” – Simon Frogatt (UK)
“Hi Lance, I like the info! My partner has been a few times now and this time (Feb Half Term) he’s taking my son. GULP. All lessons have been booked in! Love the info on the mineral baths, I bet they will go there!” – Helen (UK)
“hi there, thank you for all your information.” – Nickola Cole (UK)
“Hi Lance, Thanks for the great blog!” – Susie and Jared (UK)
“Hei Lance.. cool blog you have here.” – Jeppe
“Your blog is excellent. It’s fantastic to have an impartial report on snow conditions, queues and lifts. Keep up the good work.” –Simon
“Your Bansko blog is a very interesting place. You’ve got an objective approach to the information which makes it a very valuable resource.” – Christian Nasulea (Romania)
“I wish you all good fortune with the increasing influence of BanskoBlog.com in the market place.” – Giles & Valerie Pitman (UK)
‘We really enjoy your Blogs~they keep us going when we can’t get to Bansko!!” – Peter Mayne (UK)
“Thanks for your blog. I really enjoy it!” – Grainne McGurk (UK)
“Thank you creating such a wonderful website.” – Lyra Culverhouse (UK)
“First i should say that your blog about Bnasko is fantastic!!! Definitely something that Bansko missed past years. I am from Sofia, but i am also a great fan of Bansko from my early teenage years. I think your site is becoming not only useful for people going to Bansko but also for those staying in Bulgaria as general. I have talked with so many people that were put off from coming here, but only because they lacked some simple but essential information – such as transportation, accommodation etc. Really – great job!!!” – Philip Gologanov (Sofia, Bulgaria)
“Thanks Lance; this all looks very informative. Keep up the good work.” – Jan Reynolds (UK)
“Great site, and thanks for all the info, very informative. I like your Guide to Bansko – very comprehensive, and actually has useful info like names and addresses of places. I note you say you don’t mind the guide being forwarded, but would it be acceptable to print it off and place in an apartment info folder – obviously crediting yourself, to go with my own stuff?” – Carlo (UK) …Lance says: Thanks! Yes, everyone is welcome to print out the Bansko guide and place in apartments.
“Love your blog. Keep up the gr8 work and look forward to hearing from you soon.” – Ciara McCabe (Ireland)
“Your blog is most informative. Thanks. ” – Richard Beynon (UK).
“We own an apartment in White Fir Valley, overlooking the course. … Thanks for a great site, we glean much information from you” – Liz, (UK)
“Seems like a nice website with fresh new articles on Bansko & the area!” – Milen (Sofia)
“Thanks for all the great info, its really useful. Keep up the great service” – Paddy & Ann Redmond (Ireland)
“Hi Lance, Just came across your site this morning and I am delighted. I have joined your Bansko Blog. I am going with my wife to Bansko for a month on July 21st, and I am looking forward to the Jazz Festival. Thank you for the Programme.  I have an apartment in Bansko and have been skiing there for the past three years. Apart from skiing, one of my hobbies is songwriting so I have attached my Bansko song to let you hear it. Looking forward to future blogs,” - Michael Green (Ireland)
“We had an excellent ski trip to Bansko this year and intend to do the same again next February. I’ve seen on your website that you will soon have a forthcoming events notice but do you know if there are any major ski competitions scheduled for February next year?  We want to avoid the UK schools mid-term break but also crowds if possible. Thanks again for all you do – reading the website is like visiting again!” – Dick Martin (UK)
“Good site very professional” – Patrice Cogels (Belgium)
“Many thanks and keep up the good work, very helpful” – Kim Riseborough (UK)
“Hi Lance, Great blog you’re having here, tons of useful info about Bulgaria and Bansko…” – Krasimir Dyakov (Sofia, Bulgaria)
“Hi Lance, Just a quick mail. I hope you are well. Keep up the good work on the site!” – Rory Clerkin (UK)
“Keep the blog going. It has helped me a lot.” – Joe Chisholm (UK)
“Hi Lance, I just came on your site by accident, its great to get as much information as possible. I went to Bansko 5 years ago to see about buying an apt and I finally managed to move into it last month!! Like you, I have seen great changes in the town, not all for the best, but with so much development going on I expect this was bound to happen. It is such a beautiful area and the people are so nice, I hope they don’t get fed up with all the newcomers taking up part-time residence. I will keep in touch, keep up the good work.” – Enda Monk (UK)
“Hi Lance, thank you for your updates, the information you and your site provide is very useful.” – Steve Tilney (UK)
“Have had a good look at your blog, its great thanks, we are going to our apartment in Bansko for the first time on an early Tuesday easyjet flight.” – Kevin Wood (UK)
“Very informative site by the way!” – Gary Romans (UK)
“Thanks Lance, all very interesting. Excellent mehana in my opinion is DedoYonkata, on left at top of Pirin Street – always been pretty good food and service. Keep up the good work.” – Alison Glennon (UK)
“Dear Lance, Just joined your blog, very interesting.” – Colin Morris (UK)
“Hi Lance, I just wanted to say what a fantastic job you are doing I love the guide. I will definitely type up some restaurant reviews for you, we have been coming out for the last 3 years and have an apartment we are usually out 5 or 6 times a year so will keep sending reviews etc, Cheers” – Karen Martin (UK)
“The information provided by Lance was very useful” Darren McFarlane (UK)
“I find your blog most interesting and informative.” – Deborah Bates (UK)
“Thanks again for all the information you have passed. It is appreciated. Many Thanks” – Jennie King (UK)
“All the information was very helpful.. thanks again and see you in April” – Serap Marsan (Istanbul, Turkey). For Serap’s audio review click play
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“Thanks for some really useful information in your blog Lance. I’m in Bansko right now for my first time and you have inspired me to create my own blog to document the experience!” – Steve Farrall (UK)
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Accommodation : Guest Reviews
“What a week we watched the free Jazz Fest every day, a little hiking and swimming and Belitsa bear sanctuary. All the tips really helped us — and the apartment on this site was very comfortable” – G Giorgiu, Thessaloniki (Greece) August 09
“…Your apartment is furnished to the highest standards and has all amenities needed to make a pleasant and comfortable stay. It is perfectly located few steps away from the gondola and from our favourite Happy End bar, perfect for post-skiing relaxation and dancing. Bansko has a lot to offer for summer tourism as well, and we are looking very much forward to spending the next weekend at your apartment, enjoying the greenery this time. Thank you very much again” Ivanka (Sofia). May’09
“We are Bulgarians from Sofia and we have been many times in Bansko but I must say that the conditions that you offered were the best in our experience up to now. Our holiday in Bansko took part between 01 and 05 of April ’09. The apartment house is built in a modern stile with flavour of traditional Bulgarian architecture. The location is convenient – very near the gondola station. We liked the apartment very much – large, luxury furnished, clean and quite. And the price was very affordable. This was all we need
…. So Lance, thanks to you, we have spent a fantastic holiday in Bansko! I will recommend your offer to all my friends. Looking forward to our next meeting
” Emil Raskovski, Sofia (Bulgaria). April 2009
“On holiday in Bansko, Bulgaria. We are staying at this very nice, but very affordable apartment: http://banskoblog.com/bansko-accommodation” – Koos Jan Schouten, Sofia (Bulgaria) – via Facebook 18 March 2009
“had a great time in bansko…great apartment …very professional slopes….good organization with gondola, lifts, ski schools etc…good food….cheap prices….what would you expect more from a ski vacation? we had ALL even more…:). Thanx very much for your help again and again Lance….” – Sevgul Oztavman, Istanbul (Turkey) Feb 2009
“thanks for the great apartment… We really had a good time in Bansko” – Serap Marsan, Istanbul (Turkey) Feb 2009
“The Mountain Residence 3 (now Winslow Residence) apartment was smart, clean and very close to the gondola.”- Thomas Phillips, London (UK). Feb 2009
“Hi Lance, have just got back – all was great the apartment was lovely, great position and just what we needed.” – Mark Dudley, Gloucs (UK) Feb 2009
“The apartment is excellent and Mountain Residence 3 has great positioning indeed! I’ll recommend it to my friends…..One of the best part about it is the positioning: it’s 3 minutes walk from the gondola, 5 minutes walk from the center of the town.” -Emil Comsea , Bucharest, (Romania) Jan 2009
“We had a perfect holiday in Mountain Residence 3. The two bed apartment was very comfortable and spacious. Being so close to the gondola meant a stress free start to the day and at the end of day jacuzzi was just what was needed to unwind. Thanks for all the info and look forward to staying again in 2009. Best Regards.” – Patrick Bell, Manchester, UK (April 2008)
“The ski instruction was tops and Mark even got down the tomba black run whilst i finally got to do a tandem paraglide – amazing…. arrive with friends next year. thanks again for your apartment which was just right.” – Jane Sipson & family, Wandsworth, London, UK (March 08)
“thanks very much, everything was very comfortable and staff were helpful” (October 08) – Simeon Kristoff, Ealing, London, UK (Feb 08)
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The long road to writing about Bansko is littered with potholes. And I am certain I’ve fallen into more than a few. And like the hub cap spinning off the wheel into the ditch, there will be times when the articles diverge from all things Bansko and, sometimes, Bulgaria.
But this is not only a personal journey of what I find. This is also the place where others write about their Bansko or their Bulgarian experiences. For these contributions, I am particularly grateful.
Correct It If Its Wrong
If you read something here that you believe is wrong, or just out of date, then please comment. Please comment if you agree, disagree — or have more to add. If you have a good, or bad, experience then please let me know.
…Feedback always sought on transfers, exploring Bulgaria, restaurants, wine, beer, gentleman’s clubs, bars, off piste, ski / board hire, off piste, golf, lessons, excursions, Sofia, places, events etc. If you’re a business owner, take a look at options available to sponsor this blog.
Your stories, pictures and comments always include attribution. I always link to your web site if you have one.
Bansko Twitter & Facebook
If you use twitter and facebook to help search for useful info or just keep in contact, then you’ll find BanskoBlog pages and groups on these. Twitter is now a useful source of info, and you’ll see @bansko retweeting snow reports, events and news that will help us all enjoy our time in Bansko, or Bulgaria generally.
Twitter for 09/10 season : send your restaurant and bar reviews — I will retweet to all @bansko followers. Together we can help others avoid rip offs and also to reward quality.
Blog And Guide Testimonials
This is the place where I feel compelled to apologise. Because I’m listing some of your kind comments. I’m very grateful to have received these and I put them here so to help me keep working hard to improve the site. Many thanks!
Advertising
Rent your home on this site. Lots of options and easy payment terms here: http://banskoblog.com/advertise-bansko/
Or if you are looking to rent in Bansko, why not support the owners’ advertising here? Take a look here: http://banskoblog.com/bansko-accommodation/
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Hello,
Got any comments about the site content?
Want to add suggestions for the next update to the Bansko Guide?
Got upcoming events you want to publicise?
Please let me know. Your feedback is valued.
Email me: lance@banskoblog.com
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I found the guide extremely useful. Even though I am Bulgarian, I admit I learnt a lot of useful tips about Bansko from a foreigner:) Your first-hand experience is more than obvious, which is great! I am just coming back from Bansko and I did follow many of your tips, especially regarding restaurants and bars. Thanks for helping me avoid traps!
Vanya, Plovdiv
Hi Vanya,
Many thanks for all your feedback. Hope to see you again soon in Bansko.
Hey Leigh – can I do the snow reports for a week from next Monday? Cheers Dave Dunn
Hi Dave,
For sure you can do snow reports. Please call me on 0892 348600 when you are in the resort, or email me for details. Today is very cold on the mountain ( -5 C ) with snow flurries. Will clear for sunshine later.
Sorry that shoulda been Lance not Leigh!
I heard that there is a new MTB club setting up in bansko… earlybirdtransfers are involved. They have fantastic hire bikes for MTB in Bansko.
watch out its the raod to nowhere event 30th / 31st July July .
check out: http://www.earlybirdtransfers.co.uk/moutainbikes…. for hire. any more recommendations?
Hi again,
Just subscribed tpo the YouTube channel and watched the video that answered my previous questions. I am an idiot. lol. Thanks again !
Hi Adam,
lol, glad you found the info… and thank you for your ski package booking.
The video, and FAQ's are also here: http://banskoblog.com/lift-pass-ski-packs/ . and yes if you subscribe to http://youtube.com/banskoblog you'll get notification of new snow report videos as soon as they are uploaded.
Hi Lance, just got back from Bansko, we had a great time! The guys from Ski Mania were very nice and helpful, unfortunately, we missed one of our ski lessons, due to the unbelieveable qeue down at the gondola station. We avoided all the half terms and winter scool brakes but it was still too crowded. As for restaurants, we can reccomend Buon Appetite, it is downhill on the right from Lion's pub. They had the best food in our opinion and were also the cheapest we came across (just around 20 euros for a meal and drinks for four people!). Thanks again for a great blog!
Hi Ivana,
I'm glad you enjoy the blog and also thank you for your feedback on our ski package partners, SkiMania.
Thank you for your restaurant recommendation. Sounds good. Anyone else got more reports on Buon Apetite? Or any other favourite places?
I am sorry you missed a lesson. As for queues, last week was busy, but with Romanian holidays and local pent up ski demand, due to much improved snow conditions, all meant some queues ta peak times. Easier said than done, but I recommend getting up early on a lesson day. Take the gondola up early and relax with a coffee before your lesson starts. That said, we are all hoping for/anticipating a new gondola and more lifts and runs in the future!
Hi Lance> we are in Bansko at the moment and have noticed the FREE mini buses outside the gondola station. The sign says that the buses only run from 8:30am – 12:30pm.Do you or anyone else reading this have any idea why this is? or why there is a need for 6 buses that nobody can use when they arent on the slopes (which are icey in places but still a lot of fun).
Thanks George
Hi George, as I understand it, the buses are there in case of gondola queue. Typically the queue is in the morning, hence the time.
Anyone else got any more ideas on this one? It's good to hear you are having fun in Bansko.
Hi Lance, found your site very helpful. Booked ski hire and lessons with SkiMania – great team, a big thank you to George and his staff. Gotta say I was less than impressed with the Victoria restaurant, my starter arrived 15 minutes before my boyfriend's and the only excuse we were given was, " its a salad, it wont get cold" – no apology offered! Had a fabulous meal at Mehana Tanne – the leg of pork I ordered would have fed a family of four!!!! Stayed at the Premier Luxury Mountain Resort (Feb 6th – 15th 2011), lovely place, great spa and cant praise the staff highly enough!
Hi Lance, think your site is great. We bought an apartment in Bansko last Easter after just one visit in the Feb. We loved it so much – especially the great prices. George at Skimania and his team are BRILLIANT and I recommend them to all the people who have stayed in our apartment. We have some friends staying there this week and from the texts they have sent to us the queues in the morning at the gondola are horrible. Ulen really need to get that other gondola built ASAP before it turns off all the Brits – (We hate to queue!!) If anyone knows of any way we can join the lobby of people who are trying to push through this new lift then please let me know. Despite this though we love Bansko and the people and the food!!!! Looking forward to a 3 week stay in the summer over the Jazz festival period
))
Hello Jill, Thank you for your feedback and thank you for booking with banskoblog.com for your discount.
As for gondola and queues and prospect of a new gondola then I am sure there are many who know more than me on this topic. I will only say that supply and demand when out of balance usually bring about change! I hear so many conflicting rumours and suggestions and of course the environmental impact and carbon footprint of skiing must be a big consideration – and possibly something we can all play a part in considering when taking any type of vacation. Stay tuned for more on lift queues. Yesterday there was a 10 minute queue for the gondola at 08:50 when I was there. Ski midweek and out of holiday periods.
Expect lift queues this weekend. In fact with the new snow falling today and tomorrow Friday through until Sunday will see some long lift lines at the gondola. For queing brits i suggest getting to the gondola this weekend at 8.00 am for the best snow and the shorted queue. Buses should help. We'll see!! your comments are welcome.
hi Lance, thanks for the heads up on the weather report, the holiday is now booked for a week commencing saturday the 12th.
also, just checked the webcams and it is already snowing at todorka
great blog by the way Lance, i think its excellent what you are doing to help promote the resort. keep up the great work, and thanks again.
Hi Miles, Thank you for your kind comments.
If I may take this opportunity to say to readers to stay tuned for the launch of the Bansko Blog writing and photo competition – topic will be "Winter Emotions" Not only does every entry earn a free link to their web site, but there are some fabulous prizes from our sponsors. Totally independent judging from me and three others. English and Bulgarian categories!
Hi Lance,
I just want to say a big thanks for a great, easy and trustworthy site. We hired our equipment through you and you were quick, efficient and the guys at Bansko Ski Mania were always friendly and helpful. I can't beleive how cheap it was! Thanks again, I will definitely be recommending you to any friends going to Bansko!
Susie.
Hi Susie, thank you so much for your feedback. It means a lot to us. Hope you come back to Bansko again sometime soon.
Hi Lance; encouraged by the rave reviews above regarding your site; I would appreciate if you could show this comment as my mum and I are urgently trying to establish a forum for all the owners of Pirin Park View complex in Bansko in order to facilitate communication of shared interests. I don't mind publicly showing my email address as follows: lisaaabbate@hotmail.co.uk so that anyone who happens to be an owner and reading this can contact me directly. My mother bought into this complex; do you happen to know of any other owners ? Thanking you for this space. Lisa Abbate
Hei guys,
Do you know if the lift is currently operating for day trips as from today 21.May.2011
Many thanks
Hi Valentina,
Thank you for your great question. I've been meaning to put this info on as a blog. So Here goes:
WEEKENDS:
In August ONLY gondola lift operate all day at weekends 8.30 to 4.30pm
WEEKDAYS:
1. 1st July to 31st September:
Monday to Friday at just set departure times:
GO UP: 8.00am and 12pm
GO DOWN: 1pm and 4.40pm
2. 9th May to 30th June; and 1st October to 30th November
Monday to Friday at just set departure times:
GO UP: 8.00am
GO DOWN: 4.40pm
INSURANCE: You are not insured with lift ticket in summer.
times outside ski season. No lift prices yet for 11/12 ski season.
Lance….Was it that the piste basher drivers were on holiday the first week of February this year or do they not usually bash which was a bit of a disappointment for the early morning skiers wanting to go for a blast. Although the depth of snow could have been higher, I was surprised at the relatively good condition of the pistes all week…Tim
Hi Tim, I think they turned their attention to the World Cup tomba piste that week. I noticed this too – a blip in what was a magnificent effort to make the most of the snow and achieved some seriously well prepared pistes.
Sometimes, I must point out that newly snow feshly pisted gets mashed up quickly on a hard base layer. Basically it gets pushed down. Sometimes I do eel like pointing out the error os some people on too steep slopes for their ability — sliding and pushing the snow off…
Hi Lance, thanks for your help with booking. As someone who has never been to Bulgaria or speaks the language it's great to have such an informative place as your blog to orientate yourself from. Really looking forward to visiting Bansko this December especially having had an introduction to the resort and town and with far less uncertainty about the quality of experience when I arrive than on some other trips to unknown places I have taken! Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your kind comments. Stay tuned for more.
The new ski packages prices & booking form is really simple to complete. It has all the options, including transfers — all on one form. click http://banskoblog.com/lift-pass-ski-packs/ for the booking form. We also have 2 for 1 drinks vouchers for our BBlog hire customers — more special drinks and spa offers coming for BBlog customers soon
Hi Lance. Are you at the London Ski Show this week?
hello from thessaloniki , greece
very good job with your blog!
as we r planning to be there for new years period whats your information for the chance to have the upper slopes open, 3 11 etc??
and also where is your store to have some service for our skis?
thanks
Hi Fortis,
yes they will be open a HUGE dump of snow is on its way for Christmas.
SKIMANIA, you cant miss them just up from the lights towards the gondola, second shop is just where web cam is located — to the side of the Happy End.
thanx! see you there!
hello i want to ask tzarna mogila pist and lift …..why it is not opened?
when it will be opened..
its looklike one of the best pistes in banso!!!!!
this lift has never run as far as i know and have no idea when it will open. when i last looked in summer there were tress growing on the piste! If i ever get any news i will let you know.
Hi Lance,
Just wanted to say a huge thanks for your help in arranging ski equipment, lessons, passes and transfers for us last week.
Ski Mania were excellent, the lessons the children had were really good and only 3 of them in the class!
We will definitely be coming back to Bansko next year as it's a perfect location for a family ski holiday at the right price!
We had great food all week but 'Victoria' deserves a special mention as it was really nice.
Many Thanks.
Hi Richard,
Prices are so difficult to compare. Sometimes it is cheaper in Bansko, but not always. Generally most people report saving around 15%. Much more important os a good range and knowlegeable staff. Sorry I can be more specific.
Sorry I mean Lance