A perfect day, sunshine, wonderfully groomed slopes, not too many people in the morning, cold enough to keep the snow nice but not too cold. Bansko at it's best! から Bansko
The reviews of Bansko are pretty extreme. Let's try to see what is true and what is not.
Long lines to gondola - perfectly true. Today (sunny Saturday, January 31) we stood in line 2 hours. The line even before the opening of the lift was probably 1 hour long. When you get to the mountain - the picture is different, the lifts are fine, no long lines. The pistes are wide, and only the blue ones close to gondola are really overcrowded. The marking of pistes is scarce, indeed (if compared with Italy or Austria, but in fact, it is very difficult to get lost.
The prices rose extremely: 6 day lift pass - 340 euro, glass of beer on the mountain - 8 euro. But if you are 75 years old - the ski pass is almost free.
The accommodation is cheap and very convenient, this is the best side. Ski rental is still much cheaper than in Italy or Austria. So are transfers from the airport to Bansko.
There are two separate worlds in Bansko - ski world, close to gondola and on the mountain - expensive and unpleasant, and "good old Bansko" - close to the city center. The area around the gondola is filled with expensive restaurants, all new, opportunist and without character. If you are ready to walk 10-15 minutes to the town center, you'll find a lot of authentic MEHANAs - traditional restaurants, serving inexpensive and very tasty food.
The reviews of Bansko are pretty extreme. Let's try to see what is true and what is not.
Long lines to gondola - perfectly true. Today (sunny Saturday, January 31) we stood in line 2 hours. The line even before the opening of the lift was probably 1 hour long. When you get to the mountain - the picture is different, the lifts are fine, no long lines. The pistes are wide, and only the blue ones close to gondola are really overcrowded. The marking of pistes is scarce, indeed (if compared with Italy or Austria, but in fact, it is very difficult to get lost.
The prices rose extremely: 6 day lift pass - 340 euro, glass of beer on the mountain - 8 euro. But if you are 75 years old - the ski pass is almost free.
The accommodation is cheap and very convenient, this is the best side. Ski rental is still much cheaper than in Italy or Austria. So are transfers from the airport to Bansko.
There are two separate worlds in Bansko - ski world, close to gondola and on the mountain - expensive and unpleasant, and "good old Bansko" - close to the city center. The area around the gondola is filled with expensive restaurants, all new, opportunist and without character. If you are ready to walk 10-15 minutes to the town center, you'll find a lot of authentic MEHANAs - traditional restaurants, serving inexpensive and very tasty food.