The Bansko World Cup action is over and I had one of the best ski weekends ever here in Bansko. The World Cup Skiing organisation in Bansko was almost faultless. The attention to detail was staggering. In a country which often sees only 80% of the job ever done; a place where I used to wonder if anyone could organise a piss up in brewery. I felt Bansko had a lot to prove in hosting the FIS Audi World Cup Men’s Slalom and Super G round; and they delivered.

Whilst I have to confess to a few press pass concessions, I went out to experience the weekend like most other people here for either holidays or for the world cup event. Sitting with friends in the main stadium most of the time, the action was and coverage was just right. A relaxed approach was taken by most — soaking up of both the event and the sunshine. Some own skiing action seemed to be enhanced by watching the pros show how it should be done.

Ski And Party

Saturday I focused on watching the racing and the lunchtime entertainments. Sunday I was up early with friends to get some superb piste skiing on the corduroy pistes. On just one occasion I witnessed rocks coming through — but generally it was excellent skiing in the clear skies. The sponsors worked hard, most noticeably Milka with tons of free chocolate and Carlsberg — a free beer on the ice bar.

The giant beer bottle ice sculpture made for a predictable photographic prop for us, and many others. Saturday morning saw snow flurries, clearing to plenty of sunshine later om. Sunday was perfect warm sunshine. I can barely resist asking dear readers to go back and check out my lucky Bansko prediction on previous posts.

The bands and girls dancing were all top and made sure a few videos could be spiced up with some fine Bulgarian eye candy. Most of all was that they were genuinely enjoying performing.

Kempinsky Organisation

I was lucky enough to catch up with Tim at the Kempinsky over tea on Friday and he outlined the preparation entailed for these events. More on this another day. But the results of the World Cup Skiing were impressive… non plus ultra designer seating and amazing setting in the VIP section for the prime minister and similar. But my main find in the food an beverage department at the morning bar was a new and absolutely quaffable Quantum wine from Domaine Boyar. This white Chardonnay of the range is to be recommended and widely available.

Snow And Weather Forecast

It is cold, so the snow cover will largely be preserved and topped up by artificial snow from the cannons Tuesday. More snow Wednesday and Thursday will make for an excellent skiing and boarding weekend. It will be busy. This is a long weekend in Bulgaria and many more people from Sofia will be making there way to Bansko.

Get up early to avoid be sure of avoiding queues. If the many busses that were made available to ferry us up for the World Cup are utilised, I think matters could be more controlled than last year at peak periods. Your reports on lift queues are welcome – and tips on avoiding them are welcome too.

Photo Gallery: All Pictures Taken 26th & 27th February 2011

If you enjoyed this, please share it — thank you!

Please visit sponsors: bulgarienbo.com for free real estate listing.

and take a look at crown interiors for a uniquely perfectionist approach to home interior design in Bansko.

No related posts.

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

Picture taken: 8th March 2010

More Bansko snow arrives with cold temperatures remaining for some fine powder conditions. Snowing Monday evening. Up to another 10 cm at the top of the mountain and more snow Thursday and Friday arrives along with warmer temperatures, and rain in town.

Tips Of The Day

Dobrinishte mineral baths are so relaxing. 1.50 lv. Basic but good.

END OF SEASON DEAL: Extra 5% off all hire bookings! Hire of boots skis and poles — 6 days only 50 EUR (97.2 lv). or just 22.5 lv (11.50 EUR) for one day!

Subscribe to blog for your express quote form.

No related posts.

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

Video snow update report  from the lift taken on Sunday 5th April. Thanks to Vanya Angelkova for presenting the video snow report on the lift with me. Miss Angelkova – you’re a natural!

Readers should also watch this for her thoughts on her favourite Bansko club retro night at  Brilliantin, (under the Lion Hotel) and favourite bar, Lions Pub (opposite Strazhite Hotel).

And below Vanya reports on the perfect day on Saturday 28th March. This was also a smart time last year to be hit the slopes. So do think about booking your cheap flights and value accommodation to save cash. Remember lift pass from 1st April 09 was 40 leva per day.

Here’s Vanya’s video outtake a few moments earlier:

But as light follows day, a ski season must end. And this Sunday sees the ski season finish.

So why is this snow report is too late? I know, I know I took a break from posting for a week… but the gondola now shuts on Monday the 13th April.

Ulen, Bansko’s lift operator indicated, via their website, that the lifts would remain open until the end of April. Snow conditions allowing.

This inaccurate communication has caused stress to those who booked to come out over Easter. We were mislead.

Some blog readers had contacted me asking what is going on. It was probably unwise to have taken Ulen’s word on lifts staying open, but nevertheless a hard lesson learnt. I try to refrain from speculating on the site – although last week I posted on twitter.com/bansko the rumour going round. The lifts sadly may again not stay open beyond the 13th/15th in future years, so we will ignore any advice to the contrary in future.

Concerns on lift opening circulated last week. And snow melted as fast as hopes of the lifts remaining open. So its warm, and generally sunny weather, which will prevail until Sunday. Recent pictures to be found in Gallery.

All is not lost, however. Bansko and Bulgaria (and Greece nearby) have plenty to offer if you are out this weekend.

So over the week be sure to come back here for reports on days out.

I have enjoyed recent visits to Razlog, Blagoevgrad and Thessaloniki (Greece) and Sofia. There’s plenty to do and explore if not skiing. Spa, shopping, wine tasting, ATV, rafting, horse riding, mountain biking and culture. I’ll be reviewing some top day trips, as well as updates on bars, supermarkets, and of course resort prices. The good news is that some Bansko prices have already virtually halved.

I’ll sign off with a further reminder of the recent excellent snow conditions in Bansko:

If you haven’t already, do join for more updates and as well as receiving free guide.  Be first in line for the summer guide to getting the best out of Bansko.

No related posts.

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

The warm weather in Bulgaria has, from Sunday, taken its toll on the snow conditions on the mountain. The picture above I took from the near perfect conditions on Saturday 28th. 

What a difference one day makes. Here’s a short video taken in Sunday’s rain:

At the moment it is not good. Slushy and heavy snow. What a contrast to the previous day’s crystal clear blue skies. Go to Bansko Flickr Group gallery for recent pictures

The resort is quiet. However Monday’s Razlog market was busy and the warm sunshine was pleasant in the square over looking the municipality building.

Stay tuned for a report on the new golf club house. Pictures and video of this coming soon. Be sure to sign up for these.

Looking ahead, temperatures will drop a little but at this stage, I would not like to predict conditions for next week.

No related posts.

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

Bansko Snow Report.  3.9 metres of snow at the top and 1 metre in Bansko town. These pictures tell the story.

Listen to the audio of John and I last week. He’s from Bansko Tourist Information, and had some interesting views.

We have been chatting after the recoding and he’s decided to link his blog directly to this one. So now double the responsibility.

But seriously, from someone who has worked tirelessly giving sound advice in Bansko – day in day out, I’ll say thanks for your vote of confidence!

Bansko Blog Linked

So as of today this Bansko Blog is linked to Bansko Tourist Information.

My welcome to new readers. Your comment on your day in Bansko as well as bar and restaurant reviews are welcome. The aim is to give a realistic view. So please send me the things you dislike about the place as well as the good. All this gets fed back into the guide to help other visitors get the best out of the place.

And judging from recent comments more and more site visitors from many different countries are finding more to like in Bansko than dislike.

I will be adding to this blog more of your reviews over the coming weeks.

If you are still wondering whether to visit, then now is a snow sure time to enjoy a magnificent winter scape. Come and recharge the batteries.

Beat The Recession Blues

Some fresh air may invigorate those creative juices – and pay back your day’s lift pass several times over.

Imagine forgetting all the negative news and treating yourself to some of the best skiing and snowboarding seen this season.

How about Easter skiing in Bansko? Check out our lowest accommodation price guarantee here. Please note that I have just heard lifts may shut on Easter Sunday (13th April). Any firm announcement will be emailed to those registered

If arriving from abroad, take a look at skyscanner for cheapest flights.

I’ve found it a useful flight tool for getting a deal – wherever you are looking to go.

Here’s a picture of Friday’s snow fall.

No related posts.

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

Bansko snow report: Web cams say it all. There is nearly one metre of snow in the town now. More than 2.5 metres up at Shiligarnika.  Even with a 4×4, traveling for many people is a major challenge.

But with more snow falling, the ski/board conditions of the season are in the making.

My advice; make sure you get to Bansko over the next three weeks. Got your own apartmnet? Then find cheapest flights with skyscanner to the left of this page.

With a likely snow cover in excess of three metres, plenty of good skiing is pretty much assured until the end of the season on 30th April – but fabulous conditions are virtually guaranteed now for the next ten days.

Don’t ski? Then a white snow covered winter scene awaits. Come for not only credit crunch friendly prices but for a fresh air and spa break.

Still many affordable restaurants, bars and clubs. Some surprisingly fun back country action, Bansko is winning over the sceptics this ski season. Tourist traps are there for the unwary, arrive armed with the latest BanskoBlog Guide.

Oh, and be sure to register. Check out what others have to say here after registering here.

Not sure where to stay? Apartments for rent are found on the accommodation page. As always here is a lowest price guarantee. Contact me for availability.

If you have just got back from Bansko, or are you snowed in? Please make your comments below, thank you.

No related posts.

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

Still snowing in Bansko. Over 225cm of snow and perfect conditions for the forthcoming Ladies Downhill on the 27th and 28th and Ladies Super G on the 1st March.

This event will put Bansko in the spotlight. But wait until the Men’s Super G in 2011 for the big one.

Well I have been enjoying sunny Britain. Yesterday was just beautiful, up to 15 degrees and meant that I could get my paraglider out and go flying. Wonderful smooth thermals up to around 1,300 feet (400 metres approx) and fine views.

I found find time to take a short video; see below.

Which brings me to paragliding in Bansko. If you fancy a tandem flight its something well worth doing.

I know several of the Bulgarian tandem guys and I would have no hesitation recommending them. However I have to add that not all ski insurance policies automatically cover tandem paragliding flights.

Bansko got some good publicity for its low cost in the UK press this weekend. But I have to point out that Bansko has more than its fair share of traps for the unwary.

One reader mentioned I was a little negative when reporting on the traps. Saying that other places are the same. Problem is, yes a few are, I agree. But I would prefer that we all avoid the traps and that visitors get a realistic view of Bansko rather than marketing spin.

But thanks -  point taken.

Enjoy your season, wherever you go. But think about a trip to Bansko before the season ends on the 30th April.

No related posts.

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

To celebrate the superb Bansko snow conditions and the amazing snow falls in England today, I am offering a Bansko room booking SPECIAL OFFER!

Fancy a ski weekend or ski midweek? A recent visitor said she felt so much better after getting fresh air, exercise and beating those winter blues.

Imagine relaxing in your home from home after a great days out in the snow. Take a jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath.

How about a massage to relax those weary muscles?

It’s all here. And all at a price that cannot be beaten for location and space.

Fancy a meal out or cook in? You choose.

Why not enjoy a candlelit evening in with a glass of wine? Or perhaps take a rest in the afternoon, and rock to a live band at the Happy End Bar, like the one above which was playing the other night, on a Friday or Saturday night at the Happy End Bar.

Dance by the podium dancers – male versions also do their thing.

Or go check out the Snow Dogs at the Friendly Bar or watch the latest sports event on Sky at the Lion Bar and restaurant. All these are less than 5 minutes walk from the apartment building.

Or why not hit one of the many clubs such as Oxygene, Club Leglo, Graphite, Party Place, Payner in the centre of town?

Don’t ski? Then stroll around the historic town, shop or take a coffee. Or why not try ice skating at the new ice skating ring just 70 metres away?

You pay €60 per night for all of March and April for 2 bedroom apartment with large sitting room and just two minutes walk to the lift.

That’s just €30 per night per person with two people sharing per night. Offer subject to availability and will end 20th February

No need for reservation, just pay on arrival.

Includes cleaning, all bedding and towels. Apartments equipped with CD, TV and DVD’s for all the family.

Email  lance @ bansko blog dot com .

Nazdraze!

No related posts.

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