Gondola lift last day operational: Sunday 7th April 2013
Ulen, the Bansko lift operator, have announced that Sunday 7th April will be the last day for the Bansko ski season and for the lifts to be fully operational. The gondola lift will shut and, well, that is it.
It’s all over.
Whether the snow, higher up, tomorrow and for several days would have been enough to extend things is unclear. But with Orthodox Easter in May there are fewer Bulgarians here on holidays. Deteriorating snow conditions being offered as the main reason for shutting earlier than the planned date of 14th April.
Picture taken: 3rd March 2013
I think it’s less about snow, or a consideration for the weather charts, which are delivering fresh snow on the higher slopes, but more about economics. This view is understandable, given the high cost of running lifts — just for the few visitors here.
Dobrinishte lift at Bezbog has remained open.
You should follow me on twitter @bansko by clicking here.
Reflections on the season
It’s been a fine ski season for snow, with just this last week presenting high winds and melting snow. I managed more skiing then any other year, with some memorable and simply wonderful powder days through the trees.
From the wonderful Rossignol T9 carving skis to the WhiteDot Preacher’s skis (all part of the advanced skis bookable here at discount) they helped my confidence. But, more than this. it was the tips from expert friends and instructors that helped me the most.
With some long gondola queues at peak times, there is a growing feeling that more lifts would be in general a “good thing”. Some say a decision is getting closer on this.
I can’t stress enough the huge improvement experienced, for the vast majority of visitors, that the smoking ban had. The ban came into effect in June 2012 and early reports show a national drop of Bulgarian’s smoking of 3% to 4% since the band,
A transformational change for Bulgaria.
Thoughts of more lifts
Overall I am in favour of more lifts — but it’s not without wondering if, in 200 years time, others may see the extra lifts and think… “What were you thinking of? building more / cutting down more trees.” I have doubts, but it is hard to deny that we love good ski lifts and the slopes. It is also hard not to forget the boost to tourism which Bulgaria will gain from expansion. The French, Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps received a similar bost to their economies from the construction of lifts and I can sympathise with Bulgaria wanting their slice of the winter tourism action too.
We’ll see.
But for now, we’ll make the most of the next few days — and think about next ski season.
Plato; picture taken 17.03.13.
But I’m already looking at things to do in the summer. The delights of the Pirin range for hiking, biking and photography are something I am now looking forward to once again. Pirin Golf is now open and I hope to re stir my passion for golf soon.
Maybe a few rounds on the Fantasy Golf machine in Pirin Golf downtown is what I need first. When I go, I’ll write about this.
Thank you for reading during the season, but stay tuned for lots more. Already I am pleased to say we will have Aly, a guest snow reporter this season. He’ll be providing ski tips in a series of articles. Looking or the same for snowboarding.
I plan to serve up a menu of variety. From restaurant reviews — some still sitting in the drafts folder — to tales from the mountain areas of Bulgaria. But more guest articles and more pictures is the plan. A full-on technical focus is underway — on both the apps and the website.
It will be keeping me busy, and your tips for improvement are welcome both by commenting here, or by sending me an email.
As always, much of the content of this site is available on your phone and tablet, via the Bansko App (iOS and Android), by clicking here (it’s free). Be sure to subscribe and receive your free eBook, “The Essential Guide to Bansko“. It’s absolutely free.
Tips of the Day
- EasyJet flights have been released for next season.
- Have something to say? Comment here, or on twitter, or FB page.
- Please rate and review the Bansko App in the App store / Google Play — it really helps keep it free!
