Bansko Gondola Lift Base Station

Bansko lift pass prices 09/10 remain the same as last season. Prices range from 40 leva (EUR20.50) per day from 1st April 2010 to 55 leva (EUR 28 approx) per day high season. With mid season (to 23/12/09 and between 11/1/10 and 31/3/10) 50 leva (EUR 25.60) per day. Season lift pass is a wallet emptying 860 leva (EUR 441 approx). For children up to 12 years old the mid season lift pass is 30 leva day. UPDATE: 2010/11 prices the same as 09/10 season.

Click Lift pass prices 2012

In spite of the season ticket being two months salary for many Bulgarian workers, this is Bansko!  The fact is, that if you plan around 17 days or more of Bansko skiing this season, then investing in a season ticket makes sense – saves time and hassle too.

Now the GOOD NEWS… the prepay deal with BanskoBlog.com 20% discount off in resort ski /board hire and up to 60% off with the ski packages (tuition, ski/board hire). Pay in UK Pounds or EUROS.

Beginner courses start at just 230 euros per person for 4 hours instruction per day, ski/board boot hire, 6 day lift pass. For lift pass inclusive packages you need to book up 7 days in advance.  Just turn up and with your prepaid voucher you pick up your lift pass (no need for photo) and voucher for rental and instruction. It couldn’t be simpler. We work with BanskoSkiMania in Bansko, both jsut have a guaranteed 8 maximum in class (although average is four) and professional instruction… this school is recommend.

Both hire shops are very close to  the gondola lift and you can leave your skis and boots at the shops at the end of your day on the slopes. All have equipment which is either this season or last. Both service the skis between rental, including sharp edges and hot waxing.

This deal is only at prepaid price.

Four Steps To Book Your Discouted Ski Package

1. subscribe here at BanskoBlog.com, and attached will be a SKI PACKAGE form to fill in and email back to us
2. a quote will be sent to you for the two options
3. you will then be instructed to pay BanskoBlog.com by PAYPAL
4. you receive your voucher

If you just need a 6 day lift pass, and its seven days before you arrive, then please go direct to LIFT PASS page to pay for your discounted lift pass (adult €136 compared to €147.5 in resort). You will then receive an email detailing voucher pick up instructions (by the gondola). There are other Bulgaria resorts, such as Borovets, It’s a competitive world — and all of them charge much less for a lift pass than Bansko. OK, none of then enjoy all the snow making machines, and modern lift system of Bansko, but some charge no more than 15 leva (€7 approx) a day. So after a good dump of snow, I’ll be venturing into some of these smaller ski zones. Read on for why I think Bansko has not got a CLUE on how to promote itself — and why, for families, these prices are too high. Bansko Lift Pass Prices 09/10 from 01.12.2009 to 23.12.2009 inclusive and from 11.01.2010 to 31.03.201 inclusive

from 24.12.2009 to 10.01.2010 inclusive

from 01.04.2010 to 30.04.2010 inclusive

The season pass isn’t a subject to other price reductions. Mountain Insurance Include. VAT included.

Exchange rates

Value For Money? If you add up the approximate total cost for a family of four taking a ski holiday in a large two bedroom apartment including accommodation, transfer, lift pass, food and wine. you still get change out of EUR 1,600.  How? EUR 400  flights (EUR 100 each) EUR 400 — for 2 bed apartment ‚EUR 630 for 4 lift passes (2 adult s + 2 children) Save money by prepaying a 6 day lift pass ‚EUR 160  for food and wine (eating in + sandwiches for lunch) TOTAL: EUR 1,590 And for partying skiers where the night life involves drinking and clubs , then the savings on a night out really mount up compared to most of the Alps.

In the Alps (and much of the USA) a large  beer is EUR 9 compared to, typically, around 3 leva (EUR 1.5 approx) in ski season Bansko. But can be a lot less. For smarter bars and clubs expect 5 lev (EUR 2.5).

Why Bansko Needs Better Promotion? Bansko and the lift operator, ULEN need much better promotion. Everything is more competitive this year. Deciding to come to ski in Bansko competes with everything… like staying at home and watching TV, a hot vacation. In quiet periods ULEN should be really offering enticing deals such as: “buy 2 adult lift passes, get one child for FREE” or like the Three Valleys a “family of four discount” For example, the family lift pass price for the three valleys in France is EUR 742! More expensive, but better lift pass value than Bansko for the number of lifts and pistes you receive. Other deals Bansko could offer are:

• seniors lift pass deal
• beginners lift pass deal

Then there is are the key methods that are used to sell a product or service… PR, Advertising and Social Media (twitter, facebook, myspace etc). Bulgaria lags so far behind in the race with its competitors that they have barely moved from the starting line. The opportunity to promote this mountain resort as a quality value and all year round destination is there for the taking. World class golf, MTB, hiking, culture, jazz festival, film festival. Bansko should learn to embrace the new promotional tools to reap the huge benefits it provides to the local economy. At the moment, I have not much evidence of a Bansko that can adapt to market conditions. That all said, Skyscanner has just reported that flight searches for central and eastern europe are UP 154% on last year. This will mean that Bansko will prosper and benefit from the economic crisis. (UPDATE: IT DID 6% UP in 09/10 ski season.)

Conclusion I still believe Bansko offers an excellent value destination, but time will tell if they have their lift pass pricing correct this season. It may be Bansko will really evolve into the St Moritz of Eastern Europe. Yes really! I recently wrote about high end ski fashion having arrived in Bansko — and here there is more wealth than most would expect.

But if the future of Bansko’s growth and success is upscale tourism, then it must market its uniqueness and value. And deliver customer satisfaction in spades. Is Bansko an excellent value destination. Do you agree or disagree? Please comment below. Sign up for my “snogs” (snow blogs), lots of video reports. Be sure to take a look at ski fashion review 2010: http://banskoblog.com/2009/11/ski-fashion-2010/. Top brands revealed — and where to buy them in Bansko, Sofia, UK and online … …and please comment, email, twitter or call me on anything Bansko.

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Bansko Lift Pass Prices are detailed here. A one day adult pass is 50lev from 5th Jan to 31st March and 55 lev 24th December to 4th January and 40lev 1st April to 30th April.

Discounts for multiple days, children and season (just 760 levs or €380 approx).

From 01.12.2008 to 23.12.2008, and from 05.01.2009 to 31.03.2009

from 24.12.2008 to 04.01.2009

from 01.04.2008 to 30.04.2009

2008/09 season starts:

Children: Aged up to 12 years

Mountain insurance included

Exchange rates:

*VAT tax included

Benefit from a weak UK Pound against the euro. For the lowest price accommodation by the lift go to:

http://banskoaccommodation.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-mountain-residence-3-in-bansko.html

What do you think? Please comment.

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You’ll also receive the new guide to the little known ways of getting the best out of Bansko. This is essential for 2008/2009 ski season as so much is new and there are places to avoid.

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