Well given that ski pass or lift prices in Bansko is a rather dry topic, I thought a Bansko podiom dancer might brighten up this post.

Bansko has received criticism for 70km of runs attracting a 50 leva (€25 approx) price per day lift pass. So here’s my take. It is too much. BUT I think visitors will be pleased as punch to pay this when more lifts open.

When will this be?

Who knows.

But I’m sure we’ll get more lifts in a year or two. Hopefully before I need glucosomine extra strength – just to walk out onto the gondola. Well here’s to more new lifts. And as the lift system is still new, it’s probably a fair deal.

Here are the prices until 5th April. They then go 10 leva per day cheaper from 5th April.

from 01.12.2008 to 23.12.2008, and from 05.01.2009 to 31.03.2009

from 01.04.2008 to 30.04.2009

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Lindsey Vonn has joined Picabo Street as the only Americans to win two straight World Cup downhill championships (associated press).

World Cup holder, and this season’s leader both in the downhill and overall standings, American Lindsey Vonn won the women’s world cup’s super-giant slalom race held in Bulgaria’s best winter resort of Bansko today.

Vonn won on Bansko’s Banderitsa ski run with a time of 1:14:49 minutes time, with the Swiss Fabienne Suter coming second with 58 seconds behind Vonn. Third was Slovenia’s Tina Maze, 91 seconds behind Vonn.

“It was a great race,” Vonn told Bulgarian National Television after the race. “I had a lot of fun”.

“The ski run was very good. I like it here in Bansko where the atmosphere is great. I hope I will return to Bulgaria soon,” she said.

Bulgaria’s only representative in the world cup this year, Maria Kirkova, finished 39^th with a time of 1:22:10 minutes, 7.61 seconds behind Vonn.

It was the slowest time of all skiers, but Kirokva managed to win the applause of the several thousand spectators who cheered her for competing with the best. Bulgaria has never had an athlete competing in the women’s world cup events, which was what made Kirkova’s achievement so valuable for Bulgaria.

The 24-year-old Vonn clinched her second straight title by finishing 12th at a race in Bulgaria to match the feat first achieved by Street in 1995 and 1996.

“It’s so cool to join Picabo as the only American to win the downhill title twice.” Vonn said. “It really doesn’t seem like all that long ago when I met her at a poster signing in Minnesota and since then I’ve always looked up to her.”

Vonn was well down the field on Saturday, but her time of 1 minute 48.0 seconds was enough to win her the title with only one downhill remaining on the circuit.

“It felt strange to win the title then, without winning the race, but sometimes that’s how it goes,” Vonn said.

Andrea Fischbacher of Austria won Saturday in 1:45.81 seconds, edging Tina Maze of Slovenia, who was second in 1:46.0. Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was third in 1:46.20.

Vonn, recovering from a training fall in Bulgaria and an earlier thumb injury, remained on course to successfully defend her overall World Cup title with a 336-point lead over Maria Riesch of Germany.

Vonn, with her injured thumb in a splint and looking unsteady, finished 12th Saturday, 2.19 seconds behind Fischbacher. She missed the podium for the first time in seven events.

Still, it was enough to give her the downhill crown. Dominque Gisin of Switzerland, in second place, cannot cover the 111-point gap with one downhill left on the circuit.

Overall, the event has benn viewed as a huge success and has now placed Bansko firmly on the radar as a mountain resort to be reckoned with. The course for both downhill and super g was considered challenging. The atmosphere in town coinciding with Bulgaria’s four day holiday and today’s day of the martenitsa.

Chestita Baba Marta! (Happy Grandma Marta)

If you enjoyed this, then sign up for regular event updates. What did you think of the TV coverage of this event.

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Bansko ski conditions have been good in the morning but snow has been getting heavy due to the warmer temperatures than expected at this time of the year.

Not the best – and not as good as the Alps this year. 135cm of snow on upper slopes is still fine. Many visitors are reported to be very happy with conditions.

But for so many visitors I am missing the point talking about snow. A mixture of adequate skiing, modern lifts, great nightlife, varied and affordable restaurant scene, spacious accommodation makes Bansko a compelling offering in these economic times.

Bansko is more than the sum of its parts. That’s why more experienced skiers enjoy it more than they should.

Property owners are making an increasing number of our subscribers, and the redesigned website will have an owners area with free sample contract download. This will be sent to all subscribers in a few weeks.

The new web site will have a rental section with a difference.

Back to the pistes…Too many runs are closed in preparation for events. If I was choosing a time to go to Bansko – then I suggest leaving it until around 7th March. Oh for the curse of school holidays!

Bansko is a resort under construction, and like everywhere in the world there are huge environmental assessments to be made before extending the ski terrain. I reckon they will get there with more lifts – but this is a decision that goes way beyond local government decision making.

For now, its an affordable resort to visit. Nirvana will never exist – but there this year reports are more upbeat than last year. Great boarding and skiing to be had – on a nice and new lift system on some truly satisfying terrain. And no longer quite the building site of last year.

Probably the most demanding of clinets are the regulars, the owners and those with vested interests. We all wish Bansko well. But this is the place where I say how I see it. My view changes but most of all the desire is to get the best value, Tomorrow I will give pass on a tip in the Banso guide for subscribers. This tip has just saved a reader a whole load of cash. Stayed tuned. Best of all join the Bankso Blog and receive regular updates. Visitor, resident and property owner alike I welcome your comments.

If you want the best snow right now – then head for the Alps. Lift pass price is more but often you get four times the mount of ski piste. Like a party, got a family to pay for, on a tight budget. Then why not give Bansko a try this year?

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A Bansko apartment to rent for €25. For seven nights. Register by subscribing here for your chance to win.

This is not one of those stupid offers. You know, the ones where they are not what they seem. No, this is a really straight forward, and free to enter, draw to rent a two bedroom apartment in Mountain Residence 3 for total of €25 for a maximum of seven nights.

• Mountain Residence 3 is very close to gondola lift so you can
• get up and enjoy deserted pistes like the picture above
• Not into baording or skiing?
• Less than 10 minutes to Bansko old town square.

Just to relax, and take in coffee or early evening stroll round the many new shops.

So if you board or ski or fancy Bansko for a breath of fresh air you’ll be sure to have a perfect break.

Just €25. And what’s more I will be match this so a useful €50 will be given to The Dancing Bear Park in Belitsa, near Bankso – a great free visitor attraction that relies on contributions to keep its work on a sanctuary for abused “dancing” bears. See video below:

Okay, so what’s the catch?

Absolutely none at all. I guarantee this. Just a few simple conditions:

• I have to take a €110 refundable deposit for insurance purposes. But the renter gets that back, assuming no damage, on departure.
• The renter can stay once only – so if 2 or 3 nights are taken, that’s it. no more.
• Usual rental contract must be signed which stipulates no smoking, no boards or skis in apartment.
• Four people maximum to the apartment
• There are just two weeks the “prize” cannot be taken one in Feb and one in March and one late April. All other dates will be held free for winner to choose until 27th January.
• Winner must take up offer by 1st December 09.

To Have a chance of winning, Register now on this page or click here

The draw will take place and videoed in Bansko on 23rd January. The winner notified by email that day. Winners can stay from the 27th January!

There’s is NO CATCH. You don’t buy or have to do anything else to win or after the lucky winner wins.

Why Such A Good Offer?

1/ A New Year resolution was to make a charitable effort in ’09.

2/ Promote quality apartments to rent at affordable prices.

3/ I want to attract more people to try Bansko.

4/ I also want to accelerate the visitors to this site even more. This will help us all avoid the Bansko Rip-Offs which lie in wait for the unwary.

Just register here or below:

All PLUS I’ll keep you updated on avoiding the new season Bansko Rip-Offs/Bansko Cheats.

Why charge €25?

1/ There was a risk that if it was for free then someone may decide not to turn up.

2/ A little cash for charity could be raised.

3/ I generally ignore things that say FREE – so I guessed readers would too!

So will I receive spam email?

No, absolutely not. This is an email OPT IN system.

All subscribers have to confirm that your email is real before you are registered. You then have total control when to OPT OUT.

I guarantee never to sell or loan you email to other parties. I hate spam.

You will receive occasional Bansko news and Blog updates. Please take a look at the previous entries, and you’ll get an idea of the sort of content that will be posted here.

So that’s it. Grab the chance to win a €500 per week apartment for €25. No catches. No spam. Just enter you name and email below this article.

So I look forward to announcing the winner and remember:

When is the deadline for entering?

Subscribe BEFORE MIDNIGHT 15th January 09 for a chance to win your week at just €25.

I am already a subscriber – will I be automatically entered?

Yes. Every person already registered will be put in the draw.

I have some questions, can I contact you?

Yes, please comment below or, if you would prefer, use contact form.

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