The ski video says it all. Which is just as well for non Bulgarian speakers watching. Our weather and snow forecasting from last week was, in general, about right. Well, yes and no it was right. We said it was going to get warm in Bansko, and Bulgaria in general– but this heat? In Winter? It was even warmer than expected. This spring like weather continued over the weekend, after a period of good ski conditions. The next few days will see more rocky patches appear. The snow cover will thin due to some inevitable melting of precious snow in the clear sunny skies.

Weather Forecast — Dump Of The Season And A New Bansko Song

Remaining warm for a few more days, but by Thursday temperatures will drop back down below freezing at night time. By Saturday 12th February evening the snow will arrive — in a much colder air flow. The snow will keep on coming and Tuesday 15th will bring in some excellent powder conditions and many more smiles.

But I think the white stuff could keep falling some more after then — and the low temperatures will drop even further on Wednesday 16th. Is this the really proper dump we’ve been waiting for? If so, then great. In any event Michael Green cheered me up with his new Bansko Song here, “Let’s Go To Bansko.” Let me know if this catchy tune brings you a smile. There’s more like this ! Click on play symbol to listen:
More on Michael and his music here.

Men’s World Cup: Lucky Bansko

The President of the Bulgarian Ski Federation Tzeko Minev (R) and the Marketing manager of ULEN. Picture Credit: Vasilena Chonova

The second ski course inspection by FIS (the International Ski Federation) will be Tuesday 15th: They arrive to check the tomba piste is in top condition for the Men’s Slalom and the Men’s Super Combined. So it looks like that, just in the nick of time, Bansko gets lucky and the World Cup arrives. The party will be big one. Bansko and Bulgaria are put on the map. Articles coming soon on the World Cup ski programme, how to buy tickets to watch the action, where to party. Lots of surprises are promised to be store. Even a famous pop and/or a famous pop folk star(s) are promised to arrive and perform.

As a loyal follower of the Bulgarian chalga scene, I have to say this sounds all good to me.

How To Avoid Lift Queues

On race days I am informed that there will be shuttle buses to get everyone up the mountain. On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February it will be busy, but for regular skiers I would suggest to be at the gondola by 08:30. Try and avoid  long lift queues. Do please comment on your thoughts on lift queues, and ways you avoid them. For example, have you bought a priority Kempinsky pass? Have you driven up? Have you had your car towed away?

Today’s report is sponsored by Crowndevelopments.com — stunning home interiors from Warren and Yana Mace.

Coming to Bansko? Then click ski hire and lessons discount.for ski and snowboard packages.

Tip Of The Day:

Check very carefully where you park. Check for tow away sign EVERYWHERE in Bansko. Parking tow trucks in Bansko will be onto you in seconds. You’ve been warned.

Like It? Then please share it!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In future years  MTB (Mountain Bike) enthusiasts will look back to 2009 as the year it all started for Bansko’s mountain biking. The region, and Bulgaria, are now set to be placed on the MTB world map of destinations…

I recently caught up with mountain bike enthusiast, James Hughes. James is the mastermind behind the MTB Bansko event, “The Road To Nowhere” on 24th to 26th July. Take a listen here: James, an expat in Bansko of some six years, talks to me about his personal journey to Bansko. And how an initial factory search leads to a Bansko hotel purchase, James convinces that he’s here to stay for the long haul.

Listen to the event plan … and the ROUTE details – the Dead Dog and Perfect Day routes:

Day 1 / Race 1:  Dead Dog       – 23km

Day 2 / Race2: Perfect Day   – 30km

Day3 / Race 3:  Free4All     -  Fun Downhill (Dobrinishte)

We talk about general entertainment,  1 leva for a large beer, live bands and DJ in the main square. With a big turn out guranteed from Bulgaria’s mountain bike clubs – a good party atmosphere is on the cards.

A demo session on the 26th so you can try out the best bikes. wrap up some of the fun for three days. This is a NON PROFIT MAKING event… Just 20 leva entry fee or 50 leva including three night accommodation.

James then shares his thoughts… from the Ian Woosnam Golf Course… http://banskoblog.com/pirin-golf-club-events/

… to the long term future of Bansko as a mountain destination in general.

The energy, not to say time, James has put into getting routes marked up, is already huge.  Working with the municipalities, James is achieving more and more.

MTB enthusiasts in Bulgaria are right behind him, and James is sure of Bansko’s world class MTB credentials.

On a personal note, like James, I have witnessed what can be achieved in Bulgaria. In Sopot, near Karlovo, just two hours east of Sofia lies the world class paragliding centre – nestling at the foot of the Stara Planina range.

Take off and MTB start are accessed by a chair lift that runs, on demand, for paraglider pilots and MTB’ers. The first stage giving you a 900 metre height gain. There is a really good vibe here around take off and in the landing field attracting regular summer events… I digress. I went there enjoying paragliding there two years ago.

Its a site on the paragliding World Cup (PWC) and deservedly so. Even then, Sopot was attracting serious MTB’ers to its top downhill track.

This is one of my favourite areas of Bulgaria — and well worth visiting, whether you are a mountain biker, paraglider pilot, hiker or just enjoy soaking up sublime scenery. Oh… and I recommend the small boutique mountain hotel, Almond Hotel in Karlovo.

Back to the interview: James and I spoke about Dobrinishte, just down the road from Bansko – and its potential. The Bezbog chair lift above Dobrinishte is the destination for day 3′s fun downhill “race” . He describes the future MTB possibilities around the Chalin Valog lift…  a potential world class course… for the hardcore downhill fanatics.

If you’re more like me, a cross country mountain biker – then the region also has so much to offer from day trips to four day tours of the Pirin. Bike hire is available in Bansko – BUT be warned bikes are not top of the range and its not hard to bring your own on the plane. Check out this for the best airline deals: http://banskoblog.com/cheapest-flights-sofia/

If you haven’t done so, just click on play below to listen:and then book yourself into this fun MTB rally 24th – 26th July: go to www.bansko-mtb.com.

If the free event accommodation is full — or you’re thinking of a summer trip then check out the value accommodation options here:  http://banskoblog.com/bansko-accommodation/.

For  a warm welcome from Vania and James do also check out their hotel  www.avalonhotel-bulgaria — and also their Thursday night curry evenings. The Avalon Hotel’s policy of low local prices is appreciated – and thoroughly deserves its popularity.

For other curry fans –here’s my Bansko Indian recipe:  http://banskoblog.com/does-bansko-have-a-curry-or-indian-restaurant/

What do you think of this event? Please comment below.

Have you completed MTB or cycle routes in Bulgaria that you have enjoyed? If so, then please contact me – especially if you can share your experiences.

If you enjoyed this audio interview and article, then why not receive more like this? Just add you name and email below and you’ll receive occasional updates direct to your email inbox.

You will never receive any spam, nor will your details be disclosed to any third party.

Super Blog Directory

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My Bansko New Year Message from the Chalin Valog chair lift. Click play to view.

Thank you for visiting my Bansko Blog web site and I hope you have found something interesting here this year. Now the season is in full swing, there are many more reviews on the way for site visitors.

Unbiased Bansko information is always good. But it is now a necessity here, because the tourist scene has changed so much in just one year.

Caution In The Mehanas

Many traditional mehanas and restaurants are attempting to charge inflated prices. My New Year hope is that we avoid the Black Sea sharks*. They are easy to ignore by following an old simple rule:

Good places, generally, do not need to employ people to persuade you to enter. Often the better places are full of locals, who pay close attention to price, or with visitors who know. The best places get booked up.

The current mehana problem has arisen due to owners finding it an easier money making proposition to rent their traditional mehanas (tavern style restaurants). Typically the operators are the Sunny Beach/Black Sea restaurateurs – rather than owners. Many are not family owned and run any longer. So what was good last year, may well not be in 2009.

The only way to stop this, is for visitors to avoid these type of places. Demand and supply will then make the relevant price and quality adjustments. Its worth noting, that those bars and restaurants who charge less, can still make a good living. Here’s a good one – Dedo Pene’s Tel: +359(0)888 795970 just by clock tower:

By the way – if you register today, you’ll receive by email, latest reviews of the places worth trying. There are hundreds of new businesses in Bansko and now, more than ever, web sites like this, will help us get the very best out of Bansko.

Bansko Changes For 2009

From ski/board hire, lessons, entertainment, accommodation, transfers, shopping… its all changing at a fast pace.

Today, I think most people would agree that the previous building site feel is much less in evidence. The facilities, accommodation, bars, restaurants and general choice are improved. Even service standards are better as we enter 2009.

Accidents In Bansko

Take care out the mountain. I ski first thing in the morning but, as it get busier on rather thin snow with some rocks now showing, its worth being realistic about our abilities.

And here’s why.

I met up with the doctor, in a kind of unplanned way, in the Medical Centre situated in the Bansko Gondola station. Entrance is on the west side of the building.

The doctor and his team have been very busy. Even by lunchtime last Saturday, there were three broken arms, one dislocated shoulder, cracked rib and broken nose (my son) and that’s only what he has dealt with.

But all this was before the prime time, four o’clock, accident rush.

The “one more last run of the day”, tired, out of practice, on ice, on busy slopes, will deliver to the Medical Centre a load more injuries. In fact some patients of The Medical Centre are not skiers – just slipping on icy pavements is a trap for all.

The Medical Centre is well equipped with X ray, and the doctors and nursing staff deliver excellent care. However, it’s not a hospital.

You go to Razlog for this. And you may wish you never have visited this hospital.

A Bansko hospital is a few years away, or so I’m told.

In early 2009, I will examine what exactly the Bankso lift pass insurance covers you for.

Insurance is automatically included in your lift pass price. But make sure you have full winter sports cover, as you will not be covered for extensive search and rescue and medical treatment. Nor for repatriation which was being undertaken for a man who had badly fractured his hip last week. This required transfer to Sofia, nurse flown out and special flight back to the UK. Expensive stuff.

What To Do In Bansko When Its Busy

The slopes are icy right now, especially later on in the day. If you don’t already, how about wearing a helmet?

Be early for the lift. Avoid the queues. The picture above showing gondola lift queue, was taken on Monday 29th December at midday.

But how about taking the blue run down to Chalin Valog?

If you are a competent rider / skier then enjoy the deserted black run shown above. No queue for lift. The picture above was taken Monday 29th Dec 2008.

Or the easy blue run served by button lift shown below:

No amount of the excellent snow making in Bansko, makes up for the shortage of early season snow. More is on its way. In the meantime please take care.

Bansko For Non Skiers Or Boarders

Many visitors come to the mountains to relax and enjoy the ambiance of an old mountain town, to party or, lie today, just to spend the New Year with good friends and family.

Bansko delivers this better than ever before. The view of the main Pirin street above and below was taken on Monday.

The ice skating ring, near the Strazhite Hotel and Mountain Residence 3, is popular and is surely another great way to get that feel good feeling before the New Year celebrations.

Thank you for reading, listening and watching in 2008.

Happy New Year

And Here’s To Happy Days In Bansko During 2009.

As always, your comments are really welcome and thank you to those who have sent me emails and comments during 2008.

* “Black Sea Sharks” is a metaphor for the the opportunistic entrepreneurs renting premises and over charging. Generally they hail from Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.