Lovin' Bansko now: January 2012

The Bansko snow forecast is good. Snow arrive Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The snow will fall, temperatures rising on Saturday.

The last seven days have been delivered memorable Bansko snowboarding and skiing conditions. Superb powder for my WhiteDot Preachers and Ones. Then it’s been followed by more on the piste pleasure than I could have ever imagined. A top Bansko ski season keeps rolling on.

More snow arriving will mean fresh powder. Bringing more smiles in Bansko town. Stay tuned to @bansko for updates, and news, via twitter.

Snow torture

The Plato: January 2012

Watching others on the live web cam is nice. The slightly hassled look. Folks striding expectantly to the lift. Nicely cold. It is torture to watch.

I know that torture, I remember that end of ski holiday feeling.

When it is all over for another year. A year of waiting lies ahead.

I remember that it’s just “too far away to contemplate” moment when trying to look forward to the next time in the snow. Which is a too far.

One YEAR away.

Snow fix: bring it forward

Simply perfect pistes: morning plato skiing Bansko January 2012

But I have a tip. Don’t wait that long. Grab a flight. Then book your discounted ski snow board hire, lessons, passes and transfer deal right here. The new online ski packages form is ultra simple to use. So, my tip of the day, is grab some quality Bansko mountain time as soon as you can but book another trip in March soon.

Don’t stop now — have a good (ski) time

Be nice to your boss today. For some it’s that annual review time of year. And may mean bonus time.

Go spend (some) of it on a ski/board trip.

Completing the holiday request form takes a few moments. Another Bansko trip — booked.

Catch the plane, or climb in the car. Bansko season still has plenty more to give us.

If you’re in Macedonia, Greece, Serbia or Romania you’re probably between three and seven hours away.

Loads of great places to stay from places. From places to spas to the more intimate smaller developments. My homes to rent section offers a select and high quality choice. Recommended reading for finding comfortable Bansko homes to make your stay.

Sing Sing: a place to be this weekend.

Sing Sing piano bar at the Kempinski

This Friday 3rd and 4th February sees i Groove come to Sing Sing piano bar at the Kempinski hotel. i Groove are playing and so I’ll be there.

And what’s more, Bansko Blog sponsors, Kempinski Grand Arena, are offering readers a handy 10% off a bottle of spirits. Just make a table reservation on the phone +359 (0) 749 88888, say Bansko Blog booking and you receive your 10% discount.

Related posts:

1. Snow Report: Video And Pictures From Piste To Bar The Bansko snow report contains just video action from my...
2. Snow forecast: New Year treats The snow is falling in Bansko and the party has...
3. Web Cam And Snow Forecast Skiing in Bansko requires snow, and you could be forgiven...

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Skiing in Bansko requires snow, and you could be forgiven that whilst looking at the sunny Bansko weather forecast, and looking at the web cams, whether it will snow again. Read on for the snow and weather forecast.

Snow Forecast

After a perfect skiing week in Bansko, ending today with high spring like temperatures of 18 C, there is still plenty of the season left to bring folks to Bansko. David’s optimism in our video snow report shows the positive energy of being in the mountains. The sunshine makes for memorable and happy days. Thank you David! White dot skis – very nice.

Take a look at the met chart here; we have a weather front passing over the region Wednesday / Thursday. This will bring a reasonable amount of snow for Bansko, and cooler temperatures. Good news, but be warned some forecast are not showing this as snow and some are showing this as Friday. It is still too early to be certain. But my expectations for new snow are always high. Here’s hoping for a fine spring ski season. The end of season date is always an unknown, generally around the 14th April. Depends on Ulen, the lift operating company.

NEW: Live Web Cam

The new live web cam is still under testing, please click on thumbnail picture for web cam. Your comments on this are welcome. The live cam and weather station has shown me some interesting (read suicidal) road crossing ventures. It’s there for all to monitor lift queues. There was nothing major this weekend – unlike the holiday weekend queues the previous week. Thank you to the team at SkiMania, George Kiselov for all their help and sponsorship of this what I think is a ground breaking cam.

Jamiroquai Headlines Elevation 2011: Festival News

Jamiroquai comes to Razlog, ten minutes from Bansko, for what will be a ground breaking two day festival on Friday 24th June and Saturday 25th June. More details here soon, in the meantime check out: http://www.eventim.bg/portal/bg/concerts/rok_pop/elevation_2011/91037/

If you liked this, please share it!

• Please visit article sponsor: http://www.bearsole.com/travel/
• Please visit our blog sponsors: Bulgarienbo.com

Coming to Bansko soon? We now have same day turnaround. More great feedback from the many clients who’ve experienced our ski packages. Same 20% discount, same top ski shop location. Don’t delay, please book today.

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Snow report from me today! A very pleasant morning ski, ruined by some rocks and exposed places. Good in morning. Even the tomba was okay — a little icy in parts. The plato still is shut. Crowded in the afternoon — but lunch in the Peshterite restaurant was an absolute joy in the warm sunshine.

Weather  Forecast

Friday 15th January 2011.

Yes, it’s too warm. Spring like. But big dump of snow expected next week from the 22nd January. Sorry this week’s dump of the white stuff did not amount to much. Weather prediction has been very challenging.

Ti Bar — BanskoBlog 2nd Birthday 2 beers for price of 1

Join us for the BanskoBlog 2nd birthday party at Ti Bar (near Vila Roka).  2 beers for the price of one offer.  Before 10.00pm — Saturday 15th January only.

A beer is normally 2 lev (just 1 euro approx). So this makes this a party that pays to join. Please come and say hello and enjoy your Bansko holidays. Great snow it may not be. But Bansko good times are here.

Your comments and feedback on any aspect of Bansko/Bulgaria are most welcome. If you can’t make it — then just comment below.

If you like this.Share It! Please visit today’s snow report sponsor Bulgarienbo

Tips Of The Day:

• Wear a helmet! Especially so in conditions whee the snow is hard or icy.
• Try the fabulous new St Geoarge’s Palace restaurant (up from Kempinsky, signposted). Fabulous italian food and upscale atmosphere make this my current favourite eating spot

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Improved snow conditions in Bansko. Thank you Ivan for a truly uplifting snow report. The reality right now is a less joyous. Warmer temperatures today and tomorrow and the rest of this week, Rain in town on Wednesday in town… BUT some much needed snow on the higher slopes. Plato still shut.

Stay tuned for more reports. Watch them as they are uploaded by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Be sure to tick the box to be notified be email when a new video is uploaded.

Weather Forecast

Remaining a little too warm. The big dump of snow we were all hoping for has not materialised. Looking like snow for several days mid next week, 20th January. Too early to say for sure. However, throughout this snow challenged time, there are plenty of people having loads of fun in Bansko. Both on the snow and in the bars and restaurants. Take a look at Vanya’s Non Skiing Guide for ideas.

Tip Of The Day:

Please be careful when busy. Still too many avoidable accidents keeping the snow patrols busy. Improve your technique, ski for longer and stay safer. Take some lessons!

Join us for our snow party and BanskoBlog’s 2nd birthday party on Saturday 15th at the Ti bar. Meet our team. Sign up for newsletter for ski hire and lessons discount form and special offer for the 15th Jan.

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Our video snow blog today comes from Sania at BanskoSkiMania, BanskoBlog’s ski packages partner. Bansko snow looking better for today, and for the next few days. The much needed snow can be seen in its glory in the video snow report. Everyone has been worried about the warm weather and general lack of the all important white stuff in Bansko. Frustrating times are coming to an end, we all hope. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel and/or follow on twitter for the snow reports as they are posted.

Weather Forecast

Looking ahead, temperatures will be generally nicely below freezing as the current pressure system moves off. Clear sunny skies are likely. However, signs of really massive dumps of snow are not yet in sight. The good news, after all this warm weather, are the much colder temperatures. This means that the snow cannon will do their job and help deliver some respectable piste skiing and snowboarding this week.

Piste Safety: Will You Avoid Injury?

I still see a lack of awareness of piste etiquette , and yet again the gondola medics will be kept busy patching up injuries — most of which are avoidable. Collisions are not uncommon. First day over enthusiasm combined with first day tiredness and lack of fitness is an injury red flag. Add in to the mix that “last run of the day” and, statistically speaking, you could be heading for harm. Please take it easy. Oh yes, whilst getting all boring –  I still see that around 25% of skiiers here have no ski insurance (lift pass insurance included is not sufficient). It is essential to have adequate cover in case of the need for specialist repatriation. It’s not expensive;  and it could save yourself and your family their life’s savings.

Tips Of The Day

Ebay for ski gear: I was checking out my favourite brand of ski clothing. Seemed like ebay has some excellent ski gear bargains. Anyone else had success here?

Ski Packages: Sania in today’s video is one of the qualified instructors for BanskoSkiMania. Lessons are discounted here by 20%. Now taking bookings up to 24 hours before arrival in Bansko. 100% refund guarantee should you not travel to resort. Click FAQ’s for more.

Still some last minute availability of luxury homes to rent.

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Just got back from a wonderful morning of skiing. No major queues and weather looking good for next week. More snow on its way. Please see video report. Some high winds, but a nice layer of powder made for memorable first tracks.

Photographs Taken On 27th February 2010

Picture Taken 27th February 2010: Looking up To Top Of Todorka 1 Lift

Piture Taken 27th February 2010: View To Buderitsa

Pictures Taken 27th February 2010

Vaz, 27th February 2010

Picture Taken 27th February 2010

Pictures 27th Febuary: Ulen Kindergarten At Buderitsa

Picture Taken 27th February: Vaz In Todorka Powder

If you enjpyed this and would like more on Bansko, then join today for absolutely spam free email newsletter.

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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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It’s video snow reports today. And, oh yes, did I have fun. Brand new Head ski boots (RS 90′s 90/100) from the Head Test Centre revolutionisid my skiing. Not only were the ski conditions much better, but we enjoyed an apres ski tekkie fest editing the video you see above and below. Be sure to watch this for Stefan’s crash. Stefan is a top snpwboarder, check out his last Bansko weather forecast. Oh, I should add that, apart from a little soreness, he was okay.

Weather Forecast

More snow Friday and Saturday. Cold temperatures – around -7C.  Pistes are still compact, but only a few patches of ice. One or two stones can be seen on the piste.

But don’t let this put you off — it’s so much better conditions. More snow will see  improving and less hard conditions some more. Best skiing in the morning.

Video Production

These videos were taken on my usual small Sanyo Xacti camera, some two years old — but ideal for putting in the pocket and taking up the mountain. Basically it’s simple to make these… it’s the editing that takes time. Please comment below or email me on what you would like to see on my video reports in the future.

Tip of the day

Taxis:  never pay more than 10lev to go anywhere within in Bansko town. Agree rate before jumping in.

Ski Packages

Save money on ski / board hire / lessons / lift pass. Simply subscribe to this blog and ou will automatically receive my quote form for huge discounts on prepaid packages. If you book accommodation and transfer,  you can beat the tour operator prices and get top quality too.

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The Bansko weather video report was taken taken this afternoon. This morning saw bright skies with clear views. Cloud then partly enguulfed the mountain tops. Looking like much needed snow will arrive tonight.

Picture taken 9:00 am, Monday 18th January 2010

Forecast And Ski Conditions

Huge snow deposits are eluding Bansko and Borovets — but a little snow Tuesday and Wednesday. I am not convinced the snow will be much in spite of the Accuview forecast on this page. I will go for Friday as the day; a really deep storm is not far away. Fingers crossed. The weather charts have been changing and hopefully you’ll forgive me for getting  it wrong.

Temperatures are remaining cold and poor to fair conditions for intermediate skiers. A frustrating 2 out of 10 day: a possible 5 for the advanced.

Piste Collision Conditions

There was some icy areas… and many falls. Stefan and I helped Natasha a Macedonian lady off to the side of piste number 10 after a collision and called mountain rescue. The piste was icy in places and as hard as rock in places and, with no helmet, I was not surprised she was sufficiently dazed to need to be taken off the mountain by the mountain rescue team.

As I took this video there was yet another fall. The most I have seen so far this year.

Run Number 5 is closed for a competition but being a Monday and now low season, the queues are small and it’s a good time to come to Bansko.

Stay tuned for more video reports, pictures and some tips on restaurants. It’s more competitive in Bansko this year — but curry night at the Avalon this Thursday is always popular.

Please support this site and book your accommodation, ski passes and packages here. New lower package prices just negotiated, so feel free to drop me an email for a quote.

JJ Murphy’s

JJ Murphy’s: some positive changes here to the food. One of the best steaks I have had in Bulgaria was here on Saturday. Stays open late and both here and in Sofia help raise money for the One Life Charity event. They advised me that they have a special event at JJ Murphy’s on the 13th February (their first anniversary) and of course St Patrick’s night on the 17th March. Subscibe for a JJ Murphy’s special offer here…coming soon for blog subscribers only!

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Today’s snow forecast video report comes from Stefan. We hooked up via twitter a few months back.  But this twitter thing works. He saw the twitter… and joined us for a beer in JJ Murphy’s on the 29th December.

Anyhow, we were pretty excited to check out the ski conditions after some good reports from yesterday.

Platoto: 16th January 2010

But today we were disappointed. Apart from on the Plato, the snow was hard packed with icy patches — making for a some tricky conditions. There is no more than 60 cm of snow at Todorka.

Weather Forecast

I’ve just looked up my favourite site for weather charts http://www.meteonet.nl/aktueel/brackall.htm and there is an occluded front passing over the region on Monday.  This means snow. So Tuesday should offer some better conditions.

And we need it.

The Kukeri

Kukeri In Simitli: 16th January 2010

As we turned of at Simitli we saw the start of the Kukeri festival. A quite unusual spectale. We parked up and I took this short video. I’ll leave it to wikipedia for what this is all about…. But first a short video of this rather unusual ritual:

“This is a traditional Bulgarian ritual to scare away evil spirits, with a costumed man performing the ritual. The costumes cover most of the body and includes decorated wooden masks of animals (sometimes double-faced) and large bells attached to the belt. Around New Year and before Lent, the kukeri walk and dance through the village to scare evil spirits away with the costumes and the sound of the bells, as well as to provide a good harvest, health, and happiness to the village during the year.

The kukeri traditionally visit the peoples houses at night so that “the sun would not catch them on the road.” After going around the village they gather at the square to dance wildly and amuse the people. The ritual varies by region but its essence remains largely the same.” So there you have it; The Kukeri.

Picture Taken 2.30pm Saturday 16th January 2010

Twitter

Stefan a top snowboarder and you can check out his tweets here: twitter.com/banskosnow which I regularly retweet on twitter.com/bansko.

If you found this useful, please subscribe to my newsletter. It brings you the latest news of Bansko. No bias and no BS. Oh… and if you have twitter, do please connect with us.

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