Bansko skiing

 

 

This week I joined Martin and his mates on a week-long ski trip to Bansko Bulgaria. Conditions weren’t looking great from the webcams and it hadn’t snowed there for almost a whole months. Thankfully however they had snow cannons so there was a fair bit of skiing to go at, though only 30% of the runs were open!

As a result the runs were exceptionally busy especially on the weekend with numerous ski schools and hundreds of others on the slope. This proved to be a giant slalom course of avoid the people. I managed well all week, except one time when flying down 2m from the edge of the piste and rocks/trees of a very steep blue section (probably should have been a red), when some guy continued to head left and into my path. I pulled alongside to give him time to turn though instead of doing so he ploughed into me, resulting in my headfirst fall resulting in a slight busted nose and lip. Asking if I was ok I nodded my head, which turns out to mean no over there. He must have wondered what I was doing skiing off so fast. I guess these things can’t be avoided with so many people of mixed ability on a slope at once. The steep section of blue did prove to be a You’ve Been Framed comedy gold slope, though some looked painful – especially the double somersault I witnessed!

As the week went on we did more runs and quite a few closed ones. There was enough snow on these runs to get down them ok, and they proved to be the best slopes in my opinion.  The weather changed how icey the slopes were which kept it interesting, especially on rental skis with no edges to be able to turn well on. Finally on Thursday however there was a big dump of snow making the runs much better. The blacks were actually no longer sheet ice and provided a good source of entertainment watching Dicky fall down them in various styles.

Having a great day!

Starting a long walk!

Friday saw us at the top of the slope, with Martin messing about with his new skis on some grinds. I continued up walking the 50 minutes to the top of the slope for some waist deep powder to get down in less than five minutes! I have never skied on deep powder before, but the feeling is sensational and very satisfying to look behind and look at your track. All the effort is definitely worth it. Martin and Stephen joined me for a second run, though they did look like they wanted to kill me on the way up! It was all worth it though; probably the most satisfying run I’ve ever had on skis.

Laying some fresh tracks!

The new town itself had an interesting nightlife, a lot of touts and exotic bars, but in between these were some nice restaurants and bars primarily playing dance music and an apre ski environment. I cannot believe that every restaurant is the best in Bulgaria though!