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systemmanc 
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Post subject: Bulgaria
 Posted: Aug 18, 2008 - 02:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 13, 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Perth
Status: Offline
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Sup,
Just wondering if anyone has been to (or is going to) bansko? |
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KickinBackRelaxin.
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deafgeoff
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Posted: Aug 18, 2008 - 11:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 12, 2005
Posts: 555
Location: Leicester
Status: Offline
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Hi
Yeah, went last Easter. Good snow, and pretty big area, although high winds and poor visability closed the top for a few days (and with it the park!), and there were some long lifts away from the main bits that I don't think had been open all season!
The lift prices and drinks on the slopes are NOT cheap, so you have been warned. Also, my own personal experience was that the roads weren't built, and the constant walking though building sites was abit soul-destroying. Locals can also be pretty brusque...
I had a great time despite the niggles, and the hotel we were in (at least they'd finished that!!) was gorgeous. Enjoy, it'll be fab. Loads of cool off-piste for the semi-adventurous. Nice black run... |
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adam_2005
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Posted: Aug 19, 2008 - 12:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 775
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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Well, the life passes and mountain drinks are cheaper than most other resorts - but the drinks in town ARE cheap. And they are double measures (my double turned out to be a double-double!).
The biggest issue for me was the food, which was terrible. The chicken tasted like it was alive. And yeah, the locals were a bit abrasive to say the least.
It is a building site, as deafgeoff said, and every other shop is a British-run estate agent, but the upside of that is that there's plenty of accommodation, and the apartments are BIG and have wood-burning fires (which appeal to me, for some reason)
We found that there were actually only a few decent runs. There'd be some good off-piste if the snow is OK. |
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Ninjai
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Posted: Aug 19, 2008 - 08:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 27, 2005
Posts: 434
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Bansko is great for all the reasons other than the actual mountain itself, which can be easily conquered in a couple of days.
Its cheap, but the best thing about Bansko is the accomodation. Loads of new hotels with all the mod cons. We stayed in the Lion Hotel, it was definitely worth the extra £40 or something each. This was a couple of years ago so i'm sure there are even more hotels that have popped up since.
Word of advice: Dont go over Christmas & New Year as it gets completely rammed with Russians, you'll spend half of your day standing in a que. |
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Markland
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Posted: Aug 19, 2008 - 09:16 AM
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Joined: Nov 24, 2007
Posts: 778
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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It was pretty much as described by others in january this year, quite a few building sites, crap roads, lots of fake shops and russians that push into the gondola queue and then look at you as if your nothing. Other than that its great, on mountain the slopes are well maintained, lovely views, plenty of on mountain cafe things where a cup of hot chocolate is about £1.60 which isnt too bad, fast and modern lifts are one of the best parts and you dont have to ever take your pass out of your coat pocket for the whole holiday.
Off the slopes watch out for the dodgy shops and the idiot bulgarians who clean there shopfront with a hosepipe in the morning and its pure ice at night, roads can be crap but shops are very cheap and it seams that the further you go away from the gondola the cheaper it gets. |
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Ashnewnes
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Posted: Aug 20, 2008 - 10:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 24, 2006
Posts: 70
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Here is my take on it, but as I have Method snowboard School there, you may think I am biased so I'll leave it with you.
I'll go with some of the reviews and say avoid holidays but then you can say that about anywhere. The week after New Years for example is dead, which is nice. They have stopped building a lot now but parts of it are still like a building site, which is like Andorra was when I worked there 10 years ago. Its a developing resort so if you're prepared to accept that then its cool.
Yes avoid the shops but then a North Face jacket for £25 should tell you something! There are a couple of reputable shops, such as ours  that do sell real stuff but again you wont get a board for £1 just because its Bulgaria.
As for prices, really depends where you go - it is cheaper than a lot of resorts but if you go the "Lion Bar" for example with its English flags strewn everywhere then you are paying top for the beer (and way too much for Bulgaria) I dont think I have ever bought a beer in there in 3 years just because its a rip off. Yet its still only £1.80 a pint. Some of the other "geared for UK" bars are the same. We go for a beer in a bar in town and a 500ml bottle of Tuborg costs us 70p witha vodka and coke setting us back a whopping £1 for a massive measure more like a voooooooddddkkkkkaaaaa and coke. The bar by the school is about 1.10 a pint and thats right by the gondola.
Also in the mehanas (the local resturant) its normally about 80p a pint and they dont mind you going in just for a beer. Couple of other local bars as well the beer is what is hsould be about 70p a bottle and no more than £1 pint. Even in my mates nightclub max tourist price is £1.50 and thats open until 4am...also if all else fails just buy a bottle for £1 or a becks from the supermarket for 40p
Food...Ahhhh! get out of hotels and eat in the mehana's. Hotel food is s**te and often cold and it gives such a bad name for food in Bansko. When you go out (and its like anywhere some are good some not so good) its great. The comment about the chicken is true tho, we only eat chicken at one particular place as they never used to cook it until the brits asked for it.....after all they produce eggs so why kill them....same goes for beef aviod it unless its certain places sellin steak as they use them for milk and only since tourists started coming over that they are killing them......
Salads are fresh and no pesticides, potatoes taste like potatoes etc....so if you get out of the hotel and explore there are some really nice places where the food is really good.
Like most resorts its a premium in town, just out of town you can still get a beer for 30p and eat for £2 but most people can't get out of town which is a shame.
Onto the mountain, I love it, yes its small but just like Andorra years ago no one explores so we get a dump and we are riding fresh lines 3 days after.......loads of tree's loads of bowls, secret spots etc...and great runs with minimal hiking. Alright the queue can be a mission on holiday times. If you stick to some of the local bars up the hill (not the mountain ones by the gondola the ones over the other side) you can get a coffee for about 90p.
Park wise gets built up as the snow comes and its getting better every year. the shapers can be a bit lazy but they are getting there. Also forget a half pipe there wont be one for a while.
Hope that helps, anyone needs any more advice then gimme a shout |
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Summer, Freelance Coach: www.snowboardcoach.co.uk
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Winters in Bansko, Bulgaria: www.methodsnowschool.com
Holidays, camps, coaching and 50p pints
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adam_2005
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 20, 2008 - 04:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Posts: 775
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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| Well, I'd say that was pretty comprehensive! If you do go, give Ash ^^ a shout. We got loads of training (and there's no better than Ash's) and decent accommodation with him last year. |
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winterfunman
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Post subject: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 20, 2008 - 06:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 762
Location: n lincs
Status: Offline
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systemmanc wrote:
Sup,
Just wondering if anyone has been to (or is going to) bansko?
..............
Yep just got back , and back out there in 15 weeks and 5 days , take a look at www.methodsnowschool.com and ass links etc for all info on Bansko , cheap beer , great diff types of food , pm if you want any other info as i have a pad out there and spent alot of summer and winter time there |
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winterfunman
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Post subject: RE: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 20, 2008 - 06:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 762
Location: n lincs
Status: Offline
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| ASH AND HIS GUYS AND GALS ALL THE WAY . WONT GET BETTER HIRING , LESSONS ETC ETC ETC .......ANY ONE WANT ACCOMODATION METHOD DO IT TOO AS WELL AS ME LOL SEE YOU IN 15 WEEKS ASH |
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yellowlala
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Post subject: RE: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 20, 2008 - 09:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 942
Status: Offline
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It depends what you want, I went to Val D'Isere and frankly hated every minute of it. Went to Bansko with the Methodschool and it just felt right. Yes there are hurdles but if you're prepared to explore....and by explore I mean walk less then 10mins from out of the main drag, then you will be rewarded.
Really can't understand the food issue as wherever we went the food was awesome. If your hangover dictates a full english, there is a bar in town to sort you out but, on the whole, as Ash says the Mehanas come up trumps. They serve fresh, fresh, fresh food and a great variety thereof. And on a note regarding locals being brusque I found that totally opposite. Everyone we encountered was sweet, sweet, sweet...not one bad encounter, despite much misbehaviour at times amidst the group lol |
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Proudly rocking the Gangsta' Anglesİ since 2007. (Now with added S's)
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bong69uk
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Post subject: RE: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 22, 2008 - 02:46 AM
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Joined: Nov 27, 2007
Posts: 96
Location: edinburgh,scotland.
Status: Offline
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yeah i was there back n march 07 and o loved every min of it,got a huge dump of pow on my arrival night,so the conditions were tops,except for clouds/mist destroying visibility on the lower slopes,but it was an adventure,lol and the conditions were perfect above the cloud level. As for food and drink i cant fault it,i ate in Freindlies and diamonds amongst others but those places churned out some good food and good atmosphere,and the drink prices rocked,got pints in the mehanas for 50p,it was just damn right dangerous,lol. love the place and will be back one day.
Are the snowdogs still playing in friendlies??? those dudes were the best. |
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Nellyboy
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Post subject: RE: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 09:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 31, 2008
Posts: 19
Status: Offline
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I agree with Ash's excellent post,
I got back a few weeks ago and had fun checking out jazz fest, quad biking, hiking and some restaurants out of town. Cost of living is cheap if you fancy self catering and particularly if you eat out in nearby towns like Banya, Razlog, Dobrinishte etc is well worth if if you have a car and actually a cheap taxi ride means you can enjoy a full meal with beer wine etc for £4 per head (or even less depending).
When booking Bansko accommodation there are a few things you need to be mindful of and I have a blog: http://www.banskoaccommodation.blogspot.com with the info in. Be careful what your rent actually includes, sign a contract etc etc . There is also extensive information on renting, things to do etc. You will also see I have a mine a few friends apartments we rent out. Mine (2 bedrooms) is very placed a genuine 250 metres walk to gondola plus I have brother's 2 bedder opposite making it good for groups. A friend also has one with its own private jacuzzi on the very top tower - just awesome view at night. check out web site for pictures.
Overall you can have a great time in Bansko,. Give it a try. I enjoy the live bands in Happy End bar on Friday and Saturday nights - great atmosphere... and I swear you can drink more of the local beer than you should and feel better in the morning... especially compared to the fizzy muck usually dished up in France.
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winterfunman
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Post subject: RE: Re: Bulgaria
Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 02:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 762
Location: n lincs
Status: Offline
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| so nellyboy u r who????? dom you work for method too ???? and does your bro work for them too ? and were you in my development pool 2 weeks ago????? |
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Nellyboy
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 08:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 31, 2008
Posts: 19
Status: Offline
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Hi winterfunn,
I dont know Ash but like to complement useful posts! I dont work for method... but if they want to offer me a job I might just take them up on it! . my brother is a lawyer. the last pool i was in was at Bansko Royal Towers on Monday 11th August.
Lance Nelson |
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http://www.banskoaccommodation.blogspot.com
the Bansko blog for accommodation and more
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winterfunman
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 09:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 762
Location: n lincs
Status: Offline
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| Damn my detection skills failed me lol , is he a lwayer over in Bulgaria ?? As a few ppl who are buying i know are looking for a good , reliable one over there you see ...... and glad you praise method ...........a long waiting list to work for them i think though lol |
Last edited by winterfunman on Aug 31, 2008 - 09:52 PM; edited 1 time in total
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