Summer lift opening times 2012

Make sure you know the gondola lift times! (picture taken June 2012)

Bansko Summer season is here, and the Bansko gondola lift opening times are as below. Lift price is just 10 lev return. For last ski season’s lift pass prices click here. The 2012/13 lift pass prices will be published when known, but expect very similar rates to the last ski season.

Summer activities

Taking a break in the Rhodopi

For full range of Bansko summer 2012 activities download the 46 page ebook “The Essential Guide to Bansko”. Simply subscribe to newsletter, and receive this absolutely free. This Guide also includes info on most summer activities, getting there, emergency numbers, basic phrases in Bulgarian, top Bansko restaurants, beer info, wine info, links and a load of stuff that should save you money. The Bansko guide is a handy reference that is suitable for both new and regular visitors. Printing out is inexpensive as it is mostly text. The guide may be forwarded to friends interested in booking a trip to Bansko. Your feedback is welcome. You can use the gondola lift to take your bike up (the only one open). 5 lev each way. Here are the 2012 summer gondola lift opening times: (NOTE: Insurance —  you are not insured with lift ticket in summer.) All times are outside ski season. No lift prices yet for 2012/13 season. Expect them to be very similar to last season, click here for these. Days of the week   Upwards time   Downwards time   Mode     Monday  to  Friday   08.00   16.30   one-way     Monday  to  Friday   08.00   12.00 13.00   16.30 one-way     Monday  to  Thursday   08.00   12.00 13.00   16.30 one-way     Friday, Saturday & Sunday   from 08.00   to 16.30 from 08.30   to 16.30 non-stop     All days   from 08.00   to 16.30 from 08.30   to 16.30 non-stop     Friday, Saturday & Sunday     from 08.00   to 16.30 from 08.30   to 16.30 non-stop     Monday to Thursday   08.00   12.00 13.00   16.30 one-way     Monday to Friday   08.00   16.30   one-way     

TWO-WAY TICKET – 10 BGN. NOTE: Groups of 40 plus can arrange their own special opening of the gondola lift  TEL: +359 749 88911 Winter bookings This is the time of year to start booking flights for the winter season. Checking out the flights pagemay help in this. We are also taking booking for ski packages for ski season 2012/13. Once again, we have transport options for all group sizes — right up to  luxury new 57 seat coaches.

Summer hiking With pure blue skies over most of Eastern and Mediterranean Europe right now, it is a good time to grab some late deal holidays. Snow has hampered hiking in the Pirin so I have had the good fortune to sample the pleasure of the Rila, Vitosha, Rhodopi and the Stara PLanina mountains over the last five weeks. The Rhodopi mountain biking expedition took my breath away. Stay tuned for a video edit of this soon. In addition the fine weather has seen some fine flying at Sopot (The Stara Planina with its weekend lift proving very popular) and the seven Rila Lakes (again a fine chair lift working at weekends) and Vitosha mountain biking (no lifts working here). With a first time visitor in Bulgaria, and a keen mtb joining us in the Rhodopi, I am confirmed in my belief that Bulgaria offers something special for the mountain visitor. For summer transfers, click on the online booking form, skipping winter ski hire options. The Krastova Gora

Krastova Gora, 1,514m ancient religious site (Pictures taken June 2012)

The Krastova Gora, at 1,545 m is worthy of a special mention — a stunning place and visited by many people looking for a cure.  Here it is believe to be buried fraction of Jesus of Nazareth’s cross. Whether Christian or otherwise — the intensity and diversity of the nature there is breathtaking. Focussing on one small section of meadow I saw four types of butterflies and I lost count on the number of insects. I believe that rural tourism is Bulgaria’s great undiscovered gem. If you are interested in a tour to the more remote mountain areas in Bulgaria then contact me for a driver/guide who speaks English, Bulgarian, Russian. Have you been touring around Bulgaria, Pirin, Rila, Vitosha, Rhodopi, Stara Planina mountain ranges? Coming to Bansko and yet to sort out you transfer or accommodation? Then here is a blatant, and none too subtle plug, for the services here at BanskoBlog.com… Transfers; they are not all the same. For a safe a pleasant drive just book online by clicking on the image in the side bar. For  Bansko accommodation;  click here.