After seven days in powder at Montafon, we didn´t have time to unpack skis and and we went to visit Bulgaria over half of the Europe. Our destination was to us unknown resort Bansko, in which we weren´t yet and we didn´t know, where we can ride. So when we left, we were looking for some information at the Internet about this area. We have found an article from Gaznam at www.freesking.cz , so we thank him for that.

After arriving in to Bansko we didn´t understand. From the resort, which had one hotel 15 years ago, has become a world-renowned resort, which has grown to several hundred of hotels. The lower lift station doesn´t manage to cover the number of skiers. Our surprise continued after the visit to our accommodation in the belief, that we will sleep in some pretty old hut. We were accommodated in the 4 - star hotel with wellness, so for thanks to our uncle.

The first day we went skiing in the afternoon, it was very cold and foggy, so we ended after three pow lines, when it started to snow. At the night we went to Bansko for a kebab and beer and didn´t understand, how much snow felt on the street and we were looking forward to tomorrow's ¨powder heaven..

In the morning standing in line for an egg, I saw a bunch of Bulgarian freeriders, which I recognized by jackets and skis from the great movie "Lost winter", which I can recommend to watch. I started chatting with them how it looks at the top with snow, how much is new and where we can ride. The guys answered that at the night the top got about 80 cm. We had a smile from ear to ear with my dad. After 40 minutes of waiting in the queue and following exit to the upper station we went with them on the first ride. And what followed can´t be described by words, it is the dream of every freerider. Waist deep in the snow, all over the head, we felt like in Japan. We rode a beautiful pine forests up and down, we still didn´t have enough. This day was the best day ever. The evening we ended in whirpoole with beer and and looking forward to tomorrow's blue bird powder day.

Alarm clock rang at 6:30 a.m. and after a light breakfast we went to the chairlift. We waited 40 minutes for chair lift again. The first ride we headed as Gazman guide on mountain Todorka - downhill he described as the best what we can ride in this area. The road on the ridge wasn´t hiked so we had a big fight waist deep in the snow. And is snowing again which is absolutelly bombastic, this line starts by about 2m cliff which is at the top. The second ride we headed to the other side of the hill towards the hotel Vihren. This keeps repeating over and over, until we have the full "legs" and went down completely exhausted.

The next day the weather reported strong warming, which resulted in crashing avalanches, we have heard to the valley. Therefore, we went out direction to Rila and Rila Monastery, Bulgarian pyramids "Stobs" and then to "Banya" which I had identified as a potential place for a visit last winter. We get to the town of Banya and looking "banyiu" in the woods. After about an hour walking through the woods we gave up and go to the local "hygiene thermals". Upon entering we got back, to the  60ies: admission 1.5 leva per person already attracted our suspision about what it will be. At the reception we have to leave " for the safety reasons"our mobile phones, watches, car keys. After entering the locker I absolutely did not understand, we saw an old wooden box without a lock, mold everywhere on the walls. Take off and head to the "hygiene bath" in front of us two pools 8x3 meters and pair of Bulgarian citizens (apparently go there to bath, because at home they have no water) pool was about 40 degrees and I stayed 5 minutes and went to cool down). We stayed there for an hour, it was a true Bulgarian Thermal experience.

After returning in the evening we went to sleep and waiting to see how it will look like the next day. After ususal "lift" queue we got to the upper part of the resort and states that fresh pow is gone and that there are no lines to ride. We gave a few rides and sold the skipasses to people who came for the afternoon and slowly packed back home.

Author: Vojta Palarčík