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So how do you plan an independent ski vacation? While many companies offer ski holiday packages, you'll often find that booking everything yourself significantly reduces the cost. Plus, it's really not that complicated, even if it's your first ski trip!
We were a group of six, heading for five days of skiing at the Bansko resort in northern Bulgaria. Skiing, aside from being addictive and fun, is also an incredible holiday experience surrounded by snowy landscapes. You can enjoy the trip regardless of your skiing skills, whether you're a pro or have never set foot on skis.
Getting There
Bansko is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. We booked a private transfer from Sofia and back with a driver who came highly recommended in a Bansko Facebook group (WhatsApp: +359888575222). We contacted him directly via WhatsApp and arranged for him to meet us at our landing time in Sofia. The cost was €85 for a large transit van. If you're a group of four or fewer, you can rent a regular-sized car for €60. When we booked the transfer, he also offered us local SIM cards for 10 lev each, which was very convenient and useful.
Pro Tip - Ask the driver to stop in Sofia at a currency exchange before heading to Bansko. Not all places in Bansko accept credit cards, and the exchange rate there is much worse than what you’ll find in the city.
Accommodation
Bansko offers a variety of high-end hotels, as well as more modest options like hotels and apartments. In general, prices in Bulgaria are relatively lower compared to the rest of Europe. We chose to stay at the Regnum., a highly rated 5-star hotel with large, luxurious rooms and a rich breakfast buffet. The hotel also has a spa, which is free for guests, featuring two dry saunas, a steam sauna, two jacuzzis, and a heated pool. We booked a massage at the hotel for 80 BGN (about 50 minutes), but it was average and not as professional as I had hoped.
In addition to the spa, the hotel has a pool complex in Banya, a nearby town with hot springs about a 10-minute drive from Bansko. It reminded me a bit of Hamat Gader, only smaller. The hotel offers free shuttles to and from Banya.
One of the main perks of staying in a 5-star hotel in Bansko is the option to purchase a VIP ski pass (available at only a few select hotels), which allows you to skip the long morning queue for the gondola up the mountain. In my opinion, the extra cost for the VIP pass is well worth it and enhances the overall vacation experience.
The downside of the hotel, in my opinion, is the location. It’s across the bridge, about a 10-minute walk from the gondola and the town center. While this isn't a huge distance, remember that it's cold, and making that walk multiple times a day is less enjoyable.
Ski Lessons
Since group lessons usually consist of around 15 people, which in my opinion makes the experience less effective and educational, we opted for private lessons tailored to our skill levels. The basic ski and snowboard lessons take place at the top station of the gondola from the town, with ski and snowboard lessons held in different areas. For beginners, it's unlikely you'll leave these zones in the first day or two, which means you don't necessarily need to buy a full ski pass for those days. Instead, you can purchase a round-trip gondola ticket for 30 BGN per day (as opposed to 65 BGN for a full day ski pass).
We contacted the instructors via Facebook after reading various recommendations in local groups. Many instructors work at the official ski schools and supplement their income with private lessons. Keep in mind that since payment is per person, instructors may be more inclined to cancel private lessons if they get a more profitable offer from a larger group. While this didn’t happen to us, it’s a possibility, so it's good to have a backup plan.
A highly recommended ski instructor was Joro Markov. He provided excellent lessons for both adults and children. This was my second ski trip, and my skill level noticeably improved thanks to his clear instructions. He speaks fluent English, is patient and kind, and knows how to push you to your potential. He's also great company for gondola rides. I can't recommend him enough!
For snowboard lessons, Boris Nicolas was outstanding. He goes above and beyond during every moment of the lesson, focusing on the areas that need the most improvement. He caters to all skill levels and often stretches a two-hour lesson into nearly three hours to ensure everything is perfect. With 15 years of experience, fluent English, and a deep passion for teaching, he's simply exceptional.
Two General Tips for Ski Lessons
First, Make sure your instructor speaks English. One of the snowboard instructors we booked barely spoke any English, which made communication very difficult.
Second, Many popular instructors in Bansko are trying to build their own ski schools or act as intermediaries for other instructors who aren't as active on social media. When contacting them through Facebook, they may try to arrange lessons for you with someone else and take a commission. Ensure that the instructor you're speaking to will be the one actually giving the lesson. If that's not possible, ask to speak directly to the instructor over the phone to confirm they speak English and can meet your needs.
Ski Pass
In Bansko, there tends to be heavy morning traffic at the gondola when everyone is trying to head up the mountain. There are a few ways to avoid the long lines, which can last up to an hour.
One option is to purchase a VIP ski pass for an additional 15 BGN per day (80 BGN instead of 65 for the regular pass). With this pass, you enter through the back entrance of the gondola, bypassing the queue entirely. The longest we waited with this pass was 5 minutes. You can purchase the VIP ski pass at five-star hotels in town. Although technically you’re required to be a hotel guest to buy one, in practice, no one asked us if we were staying at the hotel when we bought ours at the Regnum. Note that the VIP ski pass is only valid for the main gondola, and if there are lines at the mountain’s upper lifts, there are no VIP lanes for those.
Another option is to take a taxi—at a cost of 10 BGN per person, you can ride up to the same point where the gondola drops you off.
Some hotels, like the Lucky, also provide shuttle service to the mountain in the mornings.
Pro Tip - If you’ve booked a morning lesson, you can ask your instructor to take you up the mountain with them, allowing you to use the VIP lane without waiting in line.
Equipment and Clothing Rental
We rented all our gear from Tsakiris, and I highly recommend them. They are professional, friendly, and offer high-quality equipment in excellent condition with a wide selection. The whole process was smooth, with no delays in picking up or returning the gear throughout our stay. If you book in advance, you can email them and get a 15% discount on the rental without needing a deposit or any commitment. They also offer the option to rent clothing, ski suits, helmets, and goggles. The store is conveniently located near the gondola, making it easy to drop off your gear and swap your boots right after coming down from the mountain.
Another great perk is that they allow you to switch between skis and snowboards each day, giving you the chance to try different models.
Pro Tip - If you arrive in the evening, you can go to the shop for fitting and equipment adjustments so you don’t waste valuable skiing time on your first day.
Restaurants
Victoria - A cute Italian restaurant.
The Log House - A Bulgarian restaurant serving massive, delicious, and affordable local dishes.
Smokey Mountain - The best burger in town, made from fresh ground meat.
Five Points - A chef’s restaurant, the best in Bansko in my opinion. It’s the only place where I momentarily forgot I was in a Bulgarian ski resort, with exceptionally high-quality food.
Ginger - Great pizza!
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