Bansko Ski Season '09-'10

[dario]

So, does anyone have any reports?

What's the resort looking like?

What's the skiing like?

Any changes since last season?

[hillyr]

Dario

My husband is out there now. He says there are lots of changes in the resort, Bansko Mall near Bansko Royal Towers is now open with a variety of shops. There is a new supermarket in the Comfort Hotel (opposite the Sport Hotel which is just up the hill next to the the Kempinski so that will be better for people in CL1 etc. as not so much of a walk to the other supermarkets - also good for us as we have another apartment in Predela very close by). Also a good Italian restaurant has opened in that vicinity. More roads etc. are finished but still a lot of unfinished blocks. I'm going out there on Saturday, will report back on anything else.
Hilary

[BPAG]

HI
I am getting reports that the resort has been seriously affected by the trucking blockade at the Greek border and that tourist numbers are really down especially Greek Tourists. It’s a really big deal and is really affecting the Bulgarian economy. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112140

I would suggest writing to the minister of tourism and expressing your concern and also cc'ing your letter to the British consul in sofia.

Ministry of Ecomony, Energy and Tourism, Minister Traicho Traikov

Address: Sofia, Slavyanska Str. 8
Tel: +359 (0)2 94071
Secretary of Minister Traikov - +359 (0)2 940 75 30
Fax: +359 (0)2 987 21 90; 987 9970
E-mail:  e-docs@mee.government.bg
E-mail of the secretary of the Minister:  secminister@mee.government.bg

I have written to the minister of Justice previously and I have continued contacts with the British consul in Sofia. I really think it is important to keep letting these people know that we are not 'out of sight out of mind'

You can find all the contact details for government ministers on the BPAG web site

[Stuart Harris]

Hi
I will be going out to Bansko from 14th to 21st February, if I can do anything to help whist I am out there, please do ask.

With kind regards

Stuart Harris CL1

[Neeru]

Hi

I will be Bansko / Razlog from the 5th - 12th February. I will report back if there is any thing that may be of interest to others.

Does any one know if there is an indian restuarant or a curry house in that region?

Neeru

[Rustique]

James at the Avalon Hotel does a Curry night on a Thursday book early to avoid dissapointment.

[Neeru]

Hi Rustique

Thank you!

This will be my first curry in Bulgaria!!

Neeru

[hillyr]

Have just returned from Bansko (30 Jan to 4th Feb). The place was really busy as I believe it was the Romanian half-term week. The queue for the gondola was to the end of the car park road by 9 a.m. and trying to get lift passes in the mornings was totally chaotic. We ended up getting a taxi up the mountain each morning (arranged by our ski hire shop for a reasonable price, service was very good - one day we just got it to Chalin Valog and got the chair lift that meets up with the middle gondola station).

Slopes were very very busy indeed, with lots of little children skiing quite fast and at times totally out of control. Ski road back to town and also the bit down from Shiligarnika to the top gondola station were like the M25 in the afternoons! Lift queues/crowded slopes problems were made worse by some of the lifts/mountain being shut due to avalanche risks (we heard of several deaths/acciddents this week due to avalanches off piste, also one death on the black run but not avalanche related). I have serious concerns that the resort (gondola/lifts/slopes) can't cope with many more people unless serious steps are taken to open up a second gondola and more ski slope area. People will not return if the queues are so horrible/it is so dangerous with such crowded slopes at peak holiday times.  

One miserable day weatherwise on Tuesday when it was very cold and windy with lots of snow, but then we benefitted after with superb snow conditions, brilliant blue skies and breathtaking views.

In general, the people couldn't have been more friendly or helpful and despite the crowds, we had a really good time. Getting the taxi up the mountain helped a lot and it was worth paying the extra. Lessons with Method were very good. Had some fab meals out in the mehanas (though the touts outside some are annoying) and the town is really coming on. New Bansko Mall and its shops very smart, generally the resort is looking a lot better and more finished, though still some abandoned blocks.
If anyone wants any other info just ask/pm me.
Hils

[dario]

Great updates, thanks!  Keep them coming...

Sounds like we really need the second gondola. Does anyone know the status of this. Has work even started?

As for deaths and avalanches, they happen in all resorts every year. Skiing is a dangerous sport. So please consider these facts in comparison with other resorts. However, there may well be things that can be done to help, such as anti-avalanche fencing and blasting away prone areas overnight. But most of the time, avalanches happen off-piste.

[hillyr]

Yes, I believe the avalanches did happen off piste, and warnings were up on Ulen's website about the high risk. But the general feeling was that more could be done to manage the avalanche risk/fence things off properly etc.

[hillyr]

One thing I did forget to mention for anyone with young children - despite the need for the second gondola and better avalanche management, Ulen do seem to be getting their act together in some ways and there is now a nicely fenced off area for tots near the top gondola station with little obstacles for them to ski under/around and a type of roundabout where they can hold on to ropes with their hands and go round on their skis. Not sure if use is restricted at times to kids in Ulen's kindergarten or not, that would have to be checked out by anyone planning to use it. All the children seemed to be enjoying themselves in there, anyway.