Bansko

I found out afterwards that the base gondola seems to open much earlier than advertised during busy periods, so if that's the case then have an early night and get their as early as possible - but be prepared to wait in serious sub zero temp. If you get there even just before it's timetabled to be open you are likley to have a 2 hour wait ina queue - once up the mountain there is rarely anthing more than a few minutes wait for a lift, but that first gondola is a huge choke point and they really need to address it.

Oh and try and get your lift pass in advance if you can or the day before you intend to ski - again the queues can be horrendous and they are very reluctant when busy to do the work to add on the piste insurance.

Don't take any crap if your hiring equipment, they got great stuiff there but will try and fob you off with ancient s**t if they think you can get away with it.

New Year is about their busiest week, loads of Russians in town to and if your a none smoker watch where you eat/drink as we found many restaurants seem to allow smoking quite freely. Saying that there are some great little bar/restaurants in the town centre where you can eat and drink very well for very little money (or you could on my March trip).

On both January and March trips the snow was on the whole good, with only the the final part of the run down to Bunderishka being bare or icy (sometimes very icy), unfortunately most of the traffic comes this way as the only other option is the token black run. Other runs were generally good, the reds are fairly tame and seem to get much less traffic so well worth heading for.

Fingers crossed for you that the snow is good and you beat the early morning Q's.

Dave

P.S. My J2ski picture was actually taken at the bottom of Run 11 in Bansko while enjoying a very cheap beer in the sun.

Went to Bansko last xmas, it's not the prettiest ski resort but they have got snow cannons and nice, wide, safe pistes. Good off piste too. If you ski from the top of the mountain down to the village it's something like 16K :mrgreen: I would be amazed if you came back and said that you were dissapointed with the skiing. Foods not brill :(

I'm also heading to Bansko this Xmas. Flying out this sat and staying for two weeks. New years inclusive. Don't worry it will be great. I'm going over with 8 people. Like ppl have said you are with a group of 12 so it can't be bad. If 12 people walk into a bad atmosphere in a pub or something you can shake that up when you enter. The only thing we need to worry about is lack of snow but so far it doesn't look too bad. I can't wait and no negetative comments is going to change that.

Give me a shout (pm) if you fancy giving me more details about you and your group. Maybe we'll meet in a bar of something :mrgreen:

45% of resort open :-)

There is about 30cm of snow to come up to christmas eve, so good news :D

Hi, i have been to Bansko and i really enjoyed myself, yes the place is still a bit untidy and infrasructure is lagging but it never stopped me having a great time. Like others have said you might find the gondola Q busy due to the time if year but its a lovely ride up on it, great views, nice runs and you can ski back down and i think im right in say it has the largest amouunt of snow cannons per km in europe.
There are some lovely liitle mehannas for tradional food and some great pubs too, the pirinsko draft is addictive!
Anyway im waffling.... you'll have a great time.

Finally some of people here show the beauty side of Bansko and Pirin National Park.
Thank you! :D

Happy New Year Celebration!