Ето какво развълнува експат общността и туристите, които години наред избираха Bansko заради етикета “бюджетна дестинация.
The mathematics of discontent: €3,100 for a family
The discussion was sparked by the user Lisa Percival, who with undisguised surprise asked the group:
“A season pass for 2 adults and 2 children is 3100 euros? Is that true? Are there any discounts? It seems like an awful lot of money – more expensive than a whole season of skiing in France?”
This question opened Pandora's box. Instead of reassurance, Lisa received dozens of comparisons with top resorts in Western Europe, which seriously questioned Bansko's competitiveness in the 2025/2026 season.
Bansko vs. Switzerland and France: The Battle of the Numbers
The main argument of the critics is the ratio "price - quality" and especially "price - mileage of the tracks". Mark Carter, an active participant in the group, immediately pointed out a striking difference:
“The Magic Pass in Switzerland is 399 euros and gives you access to 2000 km of slopes.”
Although Mark admits that accommodation and food in Switzerland are more expensive, the pure skiing experience (lift passes) seems many times more affordable in the Alps. Berthold Kynast added fuel to the fire with specific examples:
“In France, even behind Nice in the Alps, I paid 170 euros for 6 days with 170 km of slopes and no queues. In Bansko for 6 days the price is similar or higher, but for only 70 km of slopes and a wait of up to 4 hours for the gondola.”
Miro Georgiev допълни картината с пример от Haute Maurienne, където сезонен пас за 420 евро включва достъп до 6 курорта и връзка с италианската “Млечен път” (Via Lattea) – общо стотици километри писти, в рязък контраст с ограничените възможности под връх Тодорка.
“"Cheap" is no longer Bansko's trump card
Many long-time visitors express disappointment that Bansko's main advantage – the low price – has evaporated. Paul Mardon summed up the sentiments of many:
“Prices have definitely gone up with the euro. That will just put people off. The attraction of Bansko was the price, but it is no longer cost-effective.”
In response to this, the Bulgarian consumer Petar Bonchev counters with realism that may not appeal to budget travelers:
“Bulgaria is no longer a cheap country. There is no cheap labor, no cheap alcohol, no cheap resorts. Whoever wants something cheap is already going to the Third World.”
Defense: Logistics and Geography
Despite the criticism, some users like Mark Carter и Carolyn Collinge defend the resort with logistical arguments. According to them, Bansko remains the best option for residents of the Balkans (Romania, Greece, Turkey) due to the distance.
- The trip from Bucharest to Bansko is about 7 hours.
- It takes 16 hours to Innsbruck and 22 hours to Val d'Isere.
For families with children who don't want to waste 4 days of their vacation just traveling, Bansko is still the logical choice, despite the prices of the passes. Moreover, apartment rentals and nightlife here remain more affordable than in popular Alpine destinations, as long as you don't eat on the slopes themselves.
Fear of the Euro and the “beer effect”
An interesting nuance in the discussion is the fear of the upcoming adoption of the euro in Bulgaria. David James Clarke shared his experience with the prices of the slopes:
“18 euros for two beers up in the mountains.”
On which Janet Gaiao Momfitnesshacks responded with bitter irony that the prices seemed to be "transcribed" directly from leva to euro (i.e. instead of 18 leva, it is now 18 euros), which is a serious blow not only for tourists, but also for locals with Bulgarian salaries.
Conclusion
The dilemma for foreigners is clear: Bansko loses the battle in the “budget ski pass” category, especially when comparing the number of slopes with the price of the ticket. However, the resort maintains its position thanks to its geographical proximity for Balkan tourists and the still lower prices for accommodation and entertainment outside the slopes. The question is how long this balance will hold the front against the competition from Georgia, Turkey and the budget offers in the Alps.
What do you think? Are the new prices for the 2025/2026 season justified or does Bansko risk losing its most loyal fans? Share in the comments!
English (UK)