Advantages: cheap, traditional Bulgarian culture and buildings, excellent ski school Disadvantages: low altitude - though ski season usually runs from Dec - April
Bansko is in South West Bulgaria in the Pirin mountain region, a site protected by UNESCO. The transfer was just under 3 hours but it passed quickly both ways as the scenery is just so interesting.
We were skiing for the second time. If it had been last year as complete beginners I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it quite so much, although the ski school is excellent. For under £100 you get your skis, boots, sticks, 6 day lift pass and 4 hours a ... ...the higher up slopes. The Bansko committee have invested a lot in this new resort in the last 2 years, 14 million US dollars on equipment alone - all the ski rental gear is brand new and an excellent make - Saloman. Lift passes are magnetic and you pay a 6 lev (£2) returnable deposit in case you lose them, stick them in the inside pocket of your jacket and then just lean against a sensor as you go through each gate. I loved not having the usual hassle ...
flickpugh 09.02.2004 (09.07.2004)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: real Bulgarian feel, value for money Disadvantages: Low altitude
Bansko is the out of the way ski resort in South West Bulgaria, based in the Pirin Mountains, which are still very natural and unspoilt.I have stayed here for three days, which if you are an intermediate or above is long enough to ski out the resort (unless you want to go off piste).
The town of Bansko is typical Bulgarian; in places very historic, in places functional eastern bloc. It has a decent selection of shops, although you are in Bulgaria, ... ...local star ratings! The hotel Bansko (4 star) is very nice, good food, nice rooms. I liked it!
The actual skiing however is a way out of town, served by a free ski bus. Bansko though has a few things to note here. The resort is lower than 1000m altitude, so is not always snow sure and is exempt from most snow guarantees on insurance policies. It does rise though to 2600m or so, so higher up it is better- as always!
The beginners area is nearer ...
skimanant 01.01.2001 (04.01.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: Cheap, good snowfall & friendly locals as well as clean hotels. Disadvantages: 3 hour transfer from Sofia airport.
...in local, hospitable village of Bansko cost £35 for group of 7!! Our hotel Bansko was a little to far from the gondola station even with transport provided, would suggest closer hotel on Pirin Street. Facilities are all very good and pristine due to economic growth as one of the most reasonable ski destinations in Eastern Europe. They are bidding for 2010 winter olympics as well as joining the EU in 2007 thus ensuring an even more thought after town ...
xenio123 17.02.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: Great hotel, nice people, good runs, cheap. Disadvantages: Food isn't fantastic, long wait for gondola if not out early enough.
Landed in Bansko on 24/01/09. Had a fantastic holiday! Excellent conditions, fantastic hotel (hotel Lion), nice people. Bansko is still under development so the town is still a bit of a building site. This didn't bother us as we were there to snowboard, not to admire the views from the hotel window. When we arrived it was raining in the town so we were quite concerned about the conditions. We soon figured out that when it was raining lower down it ... ...too many people moaning about Bansko for petty reasons so I want to put the record straight. The only cons I think are worth mentioning are:
1. Get out early for the gondola or you could be in for a long wait
2. Some of the food isn't that great although found some excellent restaurants though and very well priced.
Bansko is a great resort and will only get better. If you're one of these people who complains about everything and feels like the ...
masonicboom 02.02.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bansko
Quick review of Bansko
We had a great time in Bansko lst January, we are just about to book again!
We stayed at Chalet Rozov where the food and service were amazing, the snow was great and our hosts showed us all the best off-piste (and the best blue runs for the less adventurous in the group).
Quite a bit of building going on, but it was all covered in snow so didnt bother us at all.
Night life was great although we only made it out twice - we had an in-house bar that was put to good use! ...
boop414 11.12.2008 (11.09.2008)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: meet real people, see real bulgaria Disadvantages: lots of building works
...The best thing in bulgaria!
Bansko seems to be one of those secret places known only to locals for a very long time. I went to Bansko for the first time in February of this year.
I did not know what to expect as i had never been to an eastern block country before.
Well was i in for a shock. I was expecting some building to be going on. Television is full of Bansko at the moment, with programmes interviewing people buying there or developers selling ... ...It turned out that Bansko old village is surrounded by the new building works. this on first seeing is quite shocking but the old village is in a world of its own. It has not been touched by the development and has a charm which needs to be seen.
The streets are cobbled (this is an understatement) and full of mexanas (pronounced mehanas). these are restaurents/pubs bulgarian style. My first experience of a mexana was when a local started calling ...
princess1 24.04.2007 (25.04.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: GREAT HOTEL AND GREAT SNOW Disadvantages: SATURDAY LIFT QUEUES
...an awesome snowboarding trip to bansko where 7 of us in total rocked up at the lion hotel. indoor pool,steam room,on site massages made the stay most relaxing after a day in the powder! not to mention the 24hr bar! 2 days solid snow made for some top riding and kicker hitting action! even if your not so lucky with the conditions, you'll still have a blast. dont listen to the bad reviews. ride bansko and stay at the lion. best snowboarding holiday ...
TEDDYBOY140907 01.02.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Bansko
Quick review of Bansko
We are going to Bansko this feb and it is nice to read what you think and this review was very detailed it would be even better if you talked more about the skiing as that is why we are going there. ...
helpink 19.01.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Bansko
Advantages: Great prices, good snow, fantastic chalet (Chalet Jora) Disadvantages: Some unfinished buildings near the gondola.
...Alps. There are plenty of runs for beginners and intermediates but only a couple of black runs. Jay showed us some great off piste areas though and there's always the park if you fancy doing some tricks. I'd definitely recommend Bansko and Chalet Jora for a great snow holiday. ...
AussieBoarder 17.08.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Bansko
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
|
