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
January 25, 2009
Richard from
United Kingdom
Richard from
United Kingdom
Just got back from 6 days in Bansko, Bulgaria with Balkan Air Holidays. I went with 2 friends and after an initial poor start to the holiday it turned out to be well worth a visit. Our initial bad first impression was a double scan scam at a service station where the coaches half way between Sofia airport and Bansko. One of the till operators blatantly scanned one item of everyone's shopping. Even when two customers in front of me spotted this she continued to do it with me, so a message was sent down the rest of the queue to be prepared for it; an easy scam to pull on tired visitors.
The next poor experience was trying to hire the snowboards and boots from the hire station next to the gondola lifts. They had very unhelpful staff and were asking 240 lev for 6 days hire, so we left there to go to a local shop; again 240 lev for 6 days, but having a look before we went I knew there must be cheaper place. Went next door to Inter-Sport rent ski & board school only across the road from the gondola station who we helpful. Funny it was only 130 lev for 5 days as they gave 5 days for the price of 4.
It also turns out haggling is very useful in Bansko too. Giving it a go saved us a fair few lev's by being a bit cheeky. For night life, I hate to say, we did go to the usual English pubs, although on average 4 lev a beer compared to the local tavernas at 2 lev. The atmosphere and fun to be had was worth paying the extra. The Lion pub was the best; open till at least 4.30 everyday and Oxygen was the best night club. As for food, always go to a local taverna as they are cheaper and better quality. Any down by Bansko city centre is good. The best we found was Vakanova Kashia 2 Pirin str. offering good wine and excellent food, lamb being particularly good.
People do encounter problems but I think Bansko is a place to avoid in peak season and even with queuing problems; the gondola did take a very slow 30mins to get to the top gondola station.
So, all in all, well worth a look especially for the less experienced skier or boarder amongst you.
January 25, 2009
Simon from
United Kingdom
Simon from
United Kingdom
Just before I visited Bansko I read a lot of negative reviews about the place, mainly about queues and rudeness. I visited from the 17th-24th January and the longest I queued for the main gondola was about 3 minutes.
As for the rudeness, initially I can see how some people would be put off, as when we stopped at a petrol station on our way from the airport, the girl serving us kept trying to scan our items twice to bump up the bill, once we cottoned on, we told others in the queue about the scam and it was no longer an issue. Our next experience on Bulgarians was when we tried to hire our snowboards... We were clearly shown a price of 150 Levs (about 75 quid) for 6 days, then when we said we wanted to buy at that price, the shop assistant sighed and called his 'manager' and then told us that that price was for children, and wanted to charge us 250 levs for 6 days. This did irritate us, but we left and went to a shop further from the gondola down the main street (can't remember the name but it had its opening times in orange lettering on the door) and they were very helpful and charged us 5 days for the price of 6, at 140 levs. They were fantastic in there and I recommend them highly.
Apart from those 2 problems, we found Bulgarians to be very friendly and open to a bit of haggling. It's strange, once your face is known their attitude completely changes towards you. The Lions Pub is fantastic, It's an English themed pub run by Bulgarians, and again, the staff are friendly and fun, and the atmosphere is lively and family friendly during the day, and even more lively at night. The food in the Tavernas in Bansko town near the church is great, the lamb is to die for and the barbeque skewers were fantastic, I'm tole. There is a Bulgarian place near the gondola which was expensive and the food was quite greasy. If you want a quick lunch near the resort, there are little shops selling pizza slices near the bottom gondola, just buy that and go into Bansko town for a proper meal in the evening.
We stayed in Mountain residence 1, which was roomy, clean, quiet and warm, and a 10 min walk from the lift. If you use the board hire shop I mentioned above, you can keep your boards, boots ski's etc at the shop so there's no long walks with your gear.
As for the slopes, it snowed before we arrived and they were in good condition for about 3 days. Then it rained for the next 3 days which made it a bit slushy in places but it was better than being really icy, as we were first-time boarders. The top lifts were closed for the 2nd part of a week due to high winds which made it a bit limiting for some of our group as there weren't many blues for them, but the long blue back to the resort was a good challenge for us all week.
All in all, I'd definitely go back, but only in off-peak season. Be wise to people trying to rip you off - just try the shop next door and you'll usually find items half the price in some places. And finally, buy levs, not euros.
January 20, 2009
julie from
United Kingdom
julie from
United Kingdom
I have just returned from Bansko after having a skiing holiday with my husband, 2 sons aged 13 and 2 girls aged 18. We had a fab holiday. We booked with Neilson and the reps were excellent. They were on hand each day to help at the ski depot and at the hotel every night. In fact, I felt that they went beyond their call of duty. We stayed at the Strazhite hotel which was good and their buffet breakfast/dinner was varied and tasty. Only compliant was that the hotel was too warm and smoky and we had to switch rooms as it was too noisy at the front of the hotel opposite the Lion bar. If you book with the ski school, Ulen, they are excellent. Our instructor, Ivan, was hilarious and very patient with us. The apres-ski was a lot better than expected which pleased the 2 girls. They enjoyed the Lion bar, Amigo bar. Because Bulgaria is not yet in the euro it is still relatively cheap. Try the restaurant 3/4 way down the ski road for a delicious cheap lunch (oh, I miss those hot white choc rum drinks).
Thanks to Evo, Galia and Dave the reps for making our holiday one to remember.
January 18, 2009
L.P from
United Kingdom
L.P from
United Kingdom
The Euro is not accepted in Bansko, or anywhere else in Bulgaria, because the national currency is the Leva, not the Euro. Bulgaria is in the E.U, as is the UK, and Euros are not excepted here on the high street or anywhere else either.
I have lived in Bansko, and have seen the locals to be friendly and helpful. But be realistic, they have not been out of communism long, and they are in the process of catching up and trying to adapt in a world with people whose ways are a little strange to them too.
I remember the same moaning about Spain and Greece when they first entered the E.U all those years ago.
Bansko is great, it's a budget holiday, and the teething problems that it is going through are no way near enough to spoil a great holiday in an interesting and developing country.
January 14, 2009
Vassilis from
Greece
Vassilis from
Greece
I spent 4 days in Bansko just after NY.
I have to admit that since the last time that I have been in Bulgaria (15 years ago) there are a lot of positive changes.
The worst was the gondola qeue - 1.5+ hours anytime before 13:00. I couldn't stand it. Next day I went making snowman with my daughters.
The best was that I spent half the money that I would have spent if I stayed in Greece.
At the end you get what you pay.
I believe that in some years all will be improved. At that time it will cost you the same as everywhere else.
Have a nice winter
January 12, 2009
Hew from
United Kingdom
Hew from
United Kingdom
Bansko can be a fantastic place to go skiing; I've been a number of times. True, it's not great for advanced skiers and after a week you'll find yourself on all too familiar runs but remember this is a place in transition.
Bulgaria is not in the Euro zone and right now, if you've got sterling in your pocket that's no a bad thing as the costs haven't shot up as much on the exchange. You can still have a cheap holiday, eat well and drink well, stay in some terrific accommodation and watch the place develop in front of your eyes.
The whole place has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and it's no surprise that there are teething problems. The single gondola taking you up to the main ski area is incredibly busy and there are long queues but get up early or leave a little later and you can avoid this; if in a group, hire a taxi to take you up.
The ski facilities and equipment are modern and well maintained and in my view this coupled with the incredible value compared to Western Europe more than compensates for the building work in town, the less than satisfactory service on occasions and the less extensive runs.
Want a recession busting holiday? Try Bansko - you might even enjoy it.
January 09, 2009
Tomski from
United Kingdom
Tomski from
United Kingdom
First of all, the currency in Bulgaria is the Lev, so why would anyone expect them to take Euro’s. Try paying for your shopping at Tesco’s (UK supermarket) with Euro’s and you will get the same response. Regarding the gondola, yes it gets very busy between 9 and 10 in the morning, but so do the buses and trains where I live, so avoid the busy period and go up before 9 or after 10. As for the Bulgarians, they always appear unhelpful, so to combat that I’ve taken the trouble to learn a little Bulgarian; it works wonders. The same applies in France, Italy and Spain; learn a bit of the language if you want to communicate. Going back to Tesco’s, try asking where the cornflakes are in Spanish, and guess what, you get blank looks. Food in Bulgaria is not a strong point, rarely hot, and not much variety, but he ho, a week in the freezing cold eating stew is not so bad, and I’ve never gone hungry. As for prices, I wouldn’t pay 42 Euro’s for 8 hot chocolates. On a recent trip to Japan I was told a fresh orange in my hotel was 8 Euro’s, so I had a beer instead. Where can you go on holiday without something costing more than you expected? Finally the skiing, as with many resorts, Bansko is not a snow sure resort in December, and in my opinion, I think the piste-bashers do a good job. Bansko has as many snow cannons as any resort I’ve skied in, and many more than most. This resort is without question the cheapest place in Europe to ski, and you get what you pay for. Where else can you have a week skiing for under 500 Euro’s all in.
January 08, 2009
Jono from
United Kingdom
Jono from
United Kingdom
If you are thinking of going to this place (Bansko) don't. Where to start? Badly prepared slopes, endless queues, bad food, overcrowded, overpriced, non existent customer service. Do not try to pay with Euros. You would think you were trying to pay with Monopoly money. Another good way to annoy them is to ask a question, any question, e.g. What time is it?, How much is that? Where are the toilets please? Do you have one of those in blue? I would rather spend a month at Fawlty Towers with Basil in complete charge.
January 08, 2009
Mat from
United Kingdom
Mat from
United Kingdom
For skiing this place (Bansko) is a nightmare, if you were not at the entrance by 8:30 it was an hour queueing for the gondola every day (if you can call it queueing, it was more like fighting off everyone behind you from pushing in front) then half an hour on the gondola itself to the ski area ( no exaggeration) then massive queues for chairlifts on the runs that they had seen fit to open that day. It is as though they could not be bothered to open them all and the pistes that were open were badly prepared with snow clumps and ice and snow clumps and ice and snow clumps etc, if they had Piste Bashers I never saw or heard one. It wasn't so much skiing down the pistes but a stampede as there were so many people on them. I have never been skiing in a more crowded, congested and badly prepared and looked after resort.
The food on the slopes apart from the very top cabin was greasy and poor and all were over priced (3 Brandy Chocolates and 5 ordinary hot chocolates 42 Euros), do not take Euros, the Bulgarians do not like them and treat you like a rabid vampire when you try to pay with them. Customer care and service? It has not been invented there yet, The staff even at our 5 Star Hotel (Katerino Hotel, which was very comfortable with great amenities) were impolite, unhelpful, either ill informed or just could not be bothered to give information. Everything was too much trouble ( I apologise to the room maids, all of them seemed really nice). The food was poor; New Years Eve Gala Dinner was a 'Giant Lettuce with Ducks bits' (their description not mine, and that's all it was) and for the main course a Dog Turd (my description) Just their overall attitude and demeanor puts years on you. I could go on and on but I'm making myself miserable again, thank goodness I'm home. Don't go.
January 07, 2009
Tim from
Germany
Tim from
Germany
Spent around 10 days in Bansko over the Xmas/new year period. The place has the potential to be very good but there are a few things holding it back:
- Severe overcrowding, especially on the initial gondola to get up into the ski area (we ended up taking taxis some days to avoid the 1.5 hr queue). Also if any of the up-mountain lifts are closed (as they often are due to high winds) the queues on the slopes get pretty bad too.
- They don't groom the runs very well, in fact they close perfectly good runs seemingly 'cause they can't be bothered to groom them'.
- Price gap is closing between it and Western Europe, eg. lift pass prices are now identical to the prices for the smaller resorts in Austria or Germany, but with a lack of snow grooming etc. Also food and drink in the town is getting more expensive.
- The staff both of the resort, the hotels and the restaurants/bars in town can be useless and even rude. A few examples: the hotel reception couldn't answer simple questions like 'where is the internet cafe?', some of the restaurants with touts standing outside have terrible service - 3.5hr wait for food, none of the supermarkets have coins in their registers - we were swore at for trying to buy something costing 2 or 3 Lev with a 5 Lev note.
On the plus side:
- Our apartment itself was extremely good (in Bansko Royal Towers).
- We did find a very good restaurant (Pri Yafata or something I think, in the town square just past Club Bulgaria).
- Some of the staff were quite friendly - e.g. the ski hire place next to the gondola replaced broken equipment without question or charge.
- Lions pub had a really good atmosphere, esp. on NYE.
- A lot of good runs up on the mountain - once you got to them.
Nearest