Ski holiday in Bansko, Bulgaria

on April 25, 2013

It might not sound like the usual place to go skiing but the King went to Bulgaria over the Easter holiday for skiing. The aim was a small mountain town called Bansko which is about 2 hours drive south of the capital, Sofia.

The place has been the destination for the upper class skiers in Sofia for decades but recently it has been more accessable for the general public. There is some development going on down there, a lot of hotels are being built and then there is a lot of poverty just meters outside the main streets. The prices are great, with usually 50% cheaper to eat at restaurant than equally fine restaurant in Malmö. The beer is about 14 Swedish kronor in a hotel bar and between 9 and 10 in the city 🙂

The Bulgarians have this place which is just great. It is a world class ski facility which hosted a World Cup in 2009, and then it is a golf paradise in the summer. What a great combo.

Well we went skiing and we had a blast. The facilities are great. There are all kinds of lifts and slopes. We and our friends had kids at all ages and everyone got what they needed even private instructions. We stayed at a new hotel just outside of the town and rented the equipment just by the gondola. Very smooth and professional.

The hotel, Aspen Resort, was new and stylish, with a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and good restaurant. The golf course (designed by Ian Woosnam) was just there and we went to the restaurant there which was great. The golfing season was just about to start and the course looked awesome. We are definitely coming to golf there one day.