Slopes are OPEN!! (Picture 28th February 2011). Ulen comes good - eventually

Bansko Skiing is happening this Easter weekend. Ulen the Bansko lift operator will run the gondola, the two stage chair lift to Todorka and the Plato chairlift will be open for the holiday. Special 20 lev price.

This is great news. As the UK has cooked in sunshine and 25 degrees, Bansko has seen cold temperatures and fresh snowfall higher up. Ulen as made this surprise decision last minute — strange!

UPDATE: Ulen Madness?

The early closing of lifts was not exactly what we wanted to hear, and I said before was a big mistake. I have no idea how many disappointed people there were nor the cost to the Bulgarian economy — but it must have been significant. On top of this I am sure Ulen would have profited too. But what makes me mad, is that they open the resort up (from a totally closed state) for four days. They barely publicise this opening and, apart from season ticket holders, Ulen sell only a handful of tickets. The skiing was very good, by the way.

Summer Plans

I’m busy with plans for the summer. Full summer activity program available and available to all in a few days. There is loads to do here, mtb, horse riding, spa, trips, fishing, hiking, culture… But email if you are coming here soon. I have also been delighted at the feedback of the web cam. It is temporarily down — soory. But its being placed somewhere very nice in the next few weeks. Bear with me on this.

With the Elevation Festival in June and the Jazz Festival – along with regular guest blogs, I am more excited than ever that Bansko will continue to get better. A difficult ski season for many, but our best yet for ski hire and lessons. Next ski season we are making a host of improvements. The two season year old skis are already gone and negotiations under way for new season skis. More on this over the coming months.

Happy Easter!

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The recent snow falls in Bansko provided improved ski conditions. Richard shows the weather, and describes his assessment of the conditions day. And it’s all good for him! With many put off coming to Bansko by the lack of snow, there were few lift lines to speak of and the sunny spells made for a fine day. More fresh snow overnight and tomorrow. For the latest “No B.S” snow reports subscribe to Bansko Blog YouTube channel.

Picture Taken 23rd January 2010

Weather Forecast

I prefer taking a look at the UK’s Met Office weather charts, http://www.weathercharts.org/ukmomslp.htm, when forecasting weather for the next five days. And today I thought I would share with you what I see for Thursday:

UK Met Office Weather Chart:Thursday 27th January 2011

If you are able to locate Bulgaria in the map above, you will see a number of weather fronts in a low pressure weather system crossing the region. This will bring precipitation, and therefore snow in Bansko on Thursday.

Picture Taken Sunday 23rd January 2011

Temperatures will be cold this coming week. This is good news, as the piste preparation for the Tomba Men’s World Cup course for 26th and 27th February can continue. I think therefore, it is highly likely that the event will go ahead as planned.

Restaurants: Have You Found Your Favourite For 2011?

My revised Top 10 restaurants will be out soon. But in there will my recent favourites: ByTheWay (Lavina complex; classic Italian, excellent service: upscale vibe), The Kempinsky (especially the Sushi and Tempanyaki restaurant), St George’s Palace (Italian and international dishes, stylish setting), Avalon Hotel (no smoking — yes!), Axemans (burgers and good service) and the Victoria (value Italian dining, opposite the Kempinsky).

A full list will be sent out in a newsletter to subscribers soon. But what are your favourites in Bansko and the surrounding area? More reports please from the Pirin golf club restaurant would be welcome — and any others that you have enjoyed so far this ski season.

Thank you to bulgarienbo.com for sponsoring the snow report today. For a free listing of your Bansko property, click here.

Welcome to our new bansko blog sponsor: Crowndevelopments.com — Professionally designed home kitchen and furnishing style from perfectionists, Warren and Yana Mace.

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Tips Of The Day

• Last few group lesson places available for ski school in February. Click for 20% off ski/snowboard lessons and hire. Book soon to avoid disappointment.
• Buy your lift pass for the following day at the gondola station after 4:30 (shuts 10:30pm Thursday to Saturday. 5.30pm Sunday to Wednesday)

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Today’s Bansko weather and snow video report features the return of Ivanka. Generally overcast weather, but with with good visibility and some sunny spells. The fresh 20cm of snow the mountain was busy with those wanting to make fresh tracks through the trees. The higher temperatures meant that the snow inevitably gets a little cut up by 1:00pm.

Snow Forecast

Picture Taken 12th February 2010

The snow cover is very good now, with the previous hard base only showing through on the balkanyada and tomba pistes. Unfortunately this warm weather has meant a lot of the snow in the town melting make it really wet when walking around. The warm temperatures will remain so there will be a mix of rain and snow. for the next three days.

Don’t expect to see much sunshine as the low pressure systems bringing warm moist air from the south create cloud cover. Looking ahead the snow higher up will continue and probably Thursday we will see temperatures start to fall.

Sitting outside the Peshterite restaurant, just off the snow road to Bansko was just warm enough to enjoy the shopska salad, bob (bean soup), kebabche and chip with cheese. Probably my best Bansko lunch ever.

Videos

Today we put some nice bells and whistles in the video report.  Please let me know what you think. I’ve also finished a short video for the BanskoBlog and JJ Murphy’s One Year Old Party on Friday 19th February. But please see my recent article on the evening which will feature Ani Lozanova and her band. I’m delighted to be able to welcome so many new readers over the last week. Thanks for keeping me busy.

Tip Of The Day

Have your skis and snowboards regularly serviced. It makes all the difference to have sharp edges.

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Ivanka hits Bansko with her first  snow report. Ivanka, our snow blogger ski chic, enjoys her skiing as much she enjoys her partying in Bansko.

I also found conditions surprisingly good today…BUT get there early and, as she says, sort a pass out the previous day (after 4pm). There are some exposed rocks in places (piste 10), and the snow due on Saturday is much needed.

The town is very busy. Even more than last year. Most places are fully booked for New Year. Quite a buzz around town. Nice.

Now off to Lion Bar. Italian restaurant opposite the bar is coming highly recommended, with te pizzas being especially recommended. Prices good too and an excellent alternative to Vistoria restaurant which was totally booked up yesterday and for today.

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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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Today’s conditions are summed up in the video above.

In spite of snow cover is thin and still not all lifts are open.

It icy in the afternoon. Skiers are advised to ski early and take care later in the day.

Pistes are getting busy and mixed with ice accidents are more likely.

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Bansko ski conditions saw some icy conditions today. Still only four lifts open. See video of the icy top half of the Tomba run and my Christmas Greetings to all readers.

Some queues were around 20 minutes as the picture above shows.

Many visitors come to Bansko for the atmosphere, food and some fresh air. However keen skiers are likely to be disappointed over the next few days. Although light snow is forecast every day for the next four days, it is unclear at this stage whether these will transpire to be the big dump needed to ensure the resort is fully open.

The run down to Bansko is fully open and was pleasant in the sunshine. Impressive snow making coverage has made this possible.

Looks like today’s high winds will subside. It will remain very cold.

But I was glad for all the thermal underwear today Inner gloves saved my fingers

A very Happy Christmas to all readers.

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Bansko Ski Conditions. Today’s Piste Report.

The snow is okay, but is mainly artificial. The picture here was taken just a few hours ago and you can see there is snow..

BUT only 5 lifts are open and there is an expectation of snow tonight.

Not a great start to the season but temperatures are now low. And its getting colder.

There is now a light dusting of snow in Bansko and this should mean tomorrow, Christmas Eve there should be more snow on the runs and, with luck, more lifts open. Wind speeds remain high though.

No queues at gondola today and beautiful sunshine. Tomba was open but some queues for about 10 minutes. Well there were only 4 lifts + baby lift + gondola open.

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