What a week it’s been here in Bansko! Since last Sunday we got over a meter of new snow and there are no signs of the snowfall stopping soon. Other than the expected 15cm today, the whole week is going to be snowy, but with varying temperatures. Conditions today were wet and windy, with the top of the mountain still closed due to strong winds. Winds will be even stronger on Saturday and we’re guessing the top lifts will be closed until the wind dies down on Monday.
Due to the wet weather, the slopes cleared out early today.
Many of the lifts in the resort have been closed the last few days due to strong winds. The affected chairlifts are the 6-seat Todorka lift, The Plato and Bunderitza 2 lifts. Lift lines on the mountain were very small the last week, with the only significant queue being at the gondola. The forecast is for heavy winds at the peak until Wednesday, with the only exception being Monday. Thankfully the high-season is over and there are fewer people in the resort as a whole.
The Chalin Valog ski run was perfect on Wednesday. (photo: 28.02.18)
Snow conditions have been very good the last few days with plenty of powder to be skied. Conditions on the slopes are difficult at times due to the constant new snowfall. If it’s been snowing after the slopes have been bashed, then you can expect a layer of fresh snow on the slopes, which often gets choppy after the first few runs. Cold temperatures have kept the slope deterioration to a minimum up until now, but we’re expecting warmer weather over the next few days. Today the temperature on Buderishka Poliana was above 0°C, so the snowfall was almost rain. The pistes were also slushy today and we can expect them to be the same the next few days, at least until the freezing level drops. If you’re a beginner skier and have difficulty carrying speed you might want to consider taking the gondola down, instead of the ski road. The snow at the end of the ski road is very slow and you’ll probably need to push a lot if you haven’t waxed your skis recently. Wednesday the slope conditions were perfect, with nicely groomed slopes, but this seemed to be an exception for the week.
The snow conditions were slushy today, due to the wet snow.
Conditions in the backcountry were perfect all week with no major incidents in the resort. The avalanche risk remains high (level 4), meaning that it’s good to stick to the flatter woods, as opposed to wide open faces. Since the top of the resort hasn’t been working, access to the more dangerous parts of the mountain was limited to those willing to walk to the top. Today, due to the rising temperatures, the out-of-bounds snow was very heavy, harder to ski and the avalanche risk is even greater.
Plenty of powder days during the last week. Monday through Thursday to be exact.
Ski & Board Traventuria is a leading provider of lift passes, equipment rental, airport transfers and ski school for the Bansko area. To book your next ski vacation in Bansko with us, please check our website – www.skibansko.bg
