A cheap way to learn to Ski. (Bansko)

Member Name: h27gooner

Product:	Bansko
Date:	08/06/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, safe, clean, friendly

Disadvantages: lots of building work, long way from nearest airport

We visited Bansko in February 09. My Dad's friend has bought a studion flat in the town, about a 10 minute walk from the Ski centre and above a lively bar.

We arrived at Sofia airport and took a prebooked minibus to Bansko. The trip took about 2.5 hours along mainly motorway, cutting through some pleasant scenery.

On arrival we found our apartment which was in a newly built block. The first thing to strike you is the amount of building work going on. There is clearly huge investment in the town and there are many estate agents. Building aside there is an "old town" which is quite pleasant and more what you would expect from an eastern European town, with a church and main square and narrow streets. Most of the shops are ski related and I have to say quite pricey. There are also a lot of Bureaux de Change which are worth comparing as the rates differ slightly from shop to shop.

In terms of things to do, there are a number of bars and restaurants including an English Pub. Most places show live football. At the time the exchange rate was £1 = 2 levs. Depending on where you drank, a large (500ml) bottle of beer ranged from 6 levs down to 1.75 levs. Obviously the clubs were most expensive but also watch out because many places serve Tuborg (yuk!) rather than the local brew. A meal ranged from "5 Levs down to 8 or 9. All the restaurants were good but look out for the restaurants where the locals eat. They have a good range of food and beer but they are far cheaper than the bigger, more central places. You will also find a casino and a strip bar but they are about a 15 minute walk from the centre and to be honest, the area of the town is very quiet and a bit dismal.

Now the skiing. This was my first time so I didn't know what to expect. As lessons start at 10am, you need to be at the ski centre to get your equipment by 8.30 as it takes 20 mins to get up the mountain on the gondola. There are many places to book ski hire in the town but we did it on line from Penguin Travel. When we arrived we found the rep easily and she was very friendly and helpful. We got our equipment sorted and then headed for the gondola. At that time there is quite a long queue so we subsequently started going about an hour later when it is much quieter. The gondola is modern and takes six people in each pod. I suspect that as the town becomes more popular they will need another gondola to get the crowds up.

Once at the top there is a nursery slope and another, slightly more advanced slope. I stuch to these but my 2 friends who had skiid before went off to the blue runs. The instructors were friendly and I picked up some good tips which helped. The weather was quite mild - about 14 C and sunny and at this time they hadn't had snow for a while and were worried about the piste melting (it did snow a few days later so all was OK). There is a bar/restaurant at the top but it is really expensive - about 20 levs for soup - so take your own food up.

If you get fed up of skiing there is a small ice rink which is quite good fun. Also, visit the Hotel Avalon (www.avalonhotel-bulgaria.com). The owner is an Englishman called James. He runs the hotel with his Bulgarian wife and he is a really nice bloke who is a font of all knowledge. His hotel is nice, clean, friendly and appears to be a meeting point for ex pats and regulars of the resort. You can eat and drink there cheaply and ask any questions about the locality. The hotel also has a masseuse which is cheap - about 20-50 Levs depending on the treatment. James also told us of a spa in one of the big, modern hotels which we made use of. It was 16 levs for a days pass and had a pool, sauna, steam room, gym, jaccuzzi and juice bar. It was great to ease all the aches and pains.

I am planning on returning next Feb with my wife and 2 kids because for the money I don't think you can beat it. (Heathrow to Sofia on BA was £140 return; hotel Avalon was £25 per night for a massive room with balcony; Ski hire was £230 for 6 days including instruction, ski pass and equipment; transfer was £50 each return).

Summary: An all round nice place which is out of the Euro!