Snowsure: 3.9
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Bansko is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Bansko Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
November 29, 2011
Kate from
United Kingdom
Kate from
United Kingdom
November 22, 2011
fotis from
Greece
fotis from
Greece
March 18, 2011
Winter Fun Man from
United Kingdom
Winter Fun Man from
United Kingdom
March 15, 2011
Jon Robinson from
United Kingdom
Jon Robinson from
United Kingdom
Had a week's holiday in Bansko last week. Missed the Half-Term holidays so not too busy. Sunday was very busy though, as Bulgarian public holiday, and the 'locals' so the gondola queue was an hour, at 9am. However, the rest of the week, we were getting our skis at 8.30, and on the slopes by 9.15, and the queue for the gondola was never out of the front door.
We stayed at Hotel Strazhite - very nice, although food was getting a bit samey by the last day. Ate out in the old town, at about £20 each, but the food was bloomin' marvelous, and we had a free glass of wine, and a free shot of some local fire water stuff. Can't remember the name of the place but it's on Neofit Rilski, called something like Paccinis, and the old guy is called Uncle George. They were really friendly, and even catered well for our friend who is vegetarian, and wheat and dairy intolerant!
We will be going back next year.
March 10, 2011
katie from
United Kingdom
katie from
United Kingdom
Got back from Bansko Bulgaria around a week ago. We stayed in the Kempeski hotel, opposite the gondola. We were really impressed, it's definitely a 5 star hotel. The bell boy was rude though, telling us to move our bags as soon as we got in. I told him that not to shout at me or my family and he said I will do what I want. Our room was excellent: a double room, a bathroom, a kitchen, a lounge area with a double sofabed in (very impressed). The walk to the ski rental center was nothing across the road. They sorted us out with skis, boots, poles and helmets. The staff were very helpful! The gondolo ride was long but the queues were not bad as it wasn't half-term week. But the 1st day was the world cup and overall, it took us just over 3 hours to get our equipment and queue up for the gondolo. My instructor was really inappropriate, he was flirting with me even though I am married. I complained and moved groups. Nothing was bad. Enjoyed the holiday.
March 07, 2011
Klaus Beversluis from
United Kingdom
Klaus Beversluis from
United Kingdom
Just back from our first trip to Bansko and had a really great time. We stayed at St Ivan Ski (& Spa) complex. Found it under StIvanBansko.com web site. We rented 2 X 1 bed linked apartments which were very nicely furnished and equipped, with 32" lcd tv`s Playstations, Ipod Boomdocks etc & baths! There were some queues at the gondola when we were there as school hols but we hired our ski equipment from Explore Bansko and they have a 4X4 ski taxi and they picked us up at our apartments each day and took us back in the evening and also took us up to the mid station on a few days to avoid the gondola queues, it was like being a VIP!. Pete the owner of the apartments at St Ivan provided us with his Bansko Guide he has complied which has loads of great places to eat etc and other useful info which I highly recommend. I think there is an e-mail address on his web site for anyone who wants a copy. We will definitely be going back.
March 06, 2011
Matt from
United Kingdom
Matt from
United Kingdom
Just got back from a week snowboarding in Bansko. This was our 2nd year and just as good as last time. Was a bit worried after no snow for 3 weeks+ but it snowed whilst we were there and all the slopes were very well maintained, even the snow road right down to the base of the gondola. Didn't realise we had hit the end of the FIS World Cup event so that was a good surprise if a bit busy to get up the mountain in the morning.
On the gondola queue posts I've read, even on the final day of the world cup we still only queued for 35mins to get up the mountain, and during the whole week we never queued for longer. I've queued for much longer in other more expensive resorts around Europe. Once you're on the mountain I don't think we had to queue for more than a few mins for any lift. Either the gondola staff are doing something different in how they get people on now or the '4 hour' queue posts are being exaggerated somewhat.
With the lift passes, I read the posts on here and was cautious so purchased just 2 days passes which worked fine. I have had lift pass issues in other resorts but this was because I was daft enough to keep the pass close to my mobile phone which effectively wiped the card and stopped it from working, maybe something similar has happened here. Also, one of our group sprained his shoulder and had to get transported down the mountain and to the medical centre, this was done free of charge as we purchased the lift pass from the gondola station and not our tour operator, saved a lot of hassle with insurance companies etc..
Anyway, back to Bansko, the snow was good, food was good and still cheap, nightlife gets better each year. We found everyone to be very pleasant and not rude in any way, in fact the worst people there I'm sorry to say was us Brits! We stayed in a hotel that predominantly had Brits, Greeks, Russians and Germans staying and the only ones who felt it necessary to go around shouting and banging on doors at 3am was, you guessed it 'the Brits'.
If you want a good pint and decent food then 'The Crown' pub is just the job. Much like the Lion bar except without the smoke and cramped seating area. Shows all the sport and has a DJ.
We will be going back next year as Bansko still offers the best value for money you'll find at present. If you can avoid half-term and the main Greek\Bulgarian holidays then you'll have a weeks, trouble free skiing\snowboarding for sure, if you can't then don't expect to be able to just walk up to the lifts at anytime and not expect a wait of some sort. I would recommend Bansko to anyone other than the really experienced skier\boarder as they may find the slopes limited.
If you are a beginner\intermediate then it's ideal and if you want lessons then I can recommend Method Snow School who have lots of British instructors.
March 04, 2011
Keith Jordan from
United Kingdom
Keith Jordan from
United Kingdom
I would like to comment on some of the recent posts - I've been going to Bansko since 2005 (usually a group of 8) and never had a problem with any lift passes. So I can only assume it's a glitch and not a scam? - although you do need to be aware that if you buy a pass online or from a tour operator you are not covered for medical rescue from the mountain in the unfortunate event of an accident - you will need either to have your insurance documents or a credit card. If you buy your pass at the gondola you are insured and will be rescued and treated in the medical centre for free.
In term of safety - I have just got 5 kids (all girls as well!!!) ranging now from 20 down to 10 - and again we have never had any problems - lifties although abrupt, have often helped our girls get on and off lifts - I guess when it's really busy (and we go every Feb half-term) you need to be aware of the other people around you, which is no different to any other resort. (and the new lifts definitely make a difference to get up the mountain)
Finally - food does vary considerably in quality and price and heat! - look around, see what people recommend below - there are loads of great places to eat and this year I think prices have fallen back a little from previous years (we ate out this year for about 200BGN / £100, including wine / beer / starters for 8 of us in 4 different restaurants) - if you get offered something just check the price and know exactly what you are getting (don't pay £50 for a bottle of local plonk!)
February 28, 2011
Dimitris from
Greece
Dimitris from
Greece
February 21, 2011
Paul Smith from
United Kingdom
Paul Smith from
United Kingdom
One of our group had exactly the same problem with lift pass - 4 day pass stopped working on day 4, but the ticket desk just said "no refunds". My friend knew we were waiting on the mountain, so just gave in and bought a day pass. This was the only negative of our whole trip. If it's a scam then it's very short-sighted. If not a scam, then "sort it out Bansko", you obviously have an organisational problem there.
Aside from the skiing, the town is great - relaxed, very friendly and cheap. Food is a bit basic but fresh and plentiful, and don't be surprised by the fact that dishes come when they're ready, regardless of what you or your guests are still eating.
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