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Balkans: better than the Alps?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Roy Hockley, hmm Soldeu over St Moritz...kinda like Blackpool over St Tropez isn't it?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
plectrum, The kidney stones had an affect on my choice! However that said, I had a blas in Soldeu!!
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I don't know about Balkan, but I would like to recommend you Slovakia. Check out what we have written about skiing in Slovakia in my blog. Sorry guys for this spam, but I feel the originator of this thread might get interested in skiing in Slovakia. We are just huge fans of Slovakia, even though most of the time we have been skiing in Chamonix.

http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/22/skiing-in-slovakia-part-i-introduction/
http://homeboyski.com/2007/10/24/skiing-in-slovakia-part-ii-jasna-ski-resort/
http://homeboyski.com/2007/11/10/skiing-in-slovakia-part-3-jasna-accommodation-dining-and-resort-skiing/

Tomorrow we will publish one more article, called "Skiing in High Tatra Mountains in Slovakia - 5 Good Reasons to Ski in Jasna in Slovakia". I recommend checking it out. I discuss about prices and such in that article.
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Quote:

We are just huge fans of Slovakia, even though most of the time we have been skiing in Chamonix.
Puzzled Well I am a huge fan of Barry Island, even though most of the time I go to Barbados.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Sorry, my native language is Finnish.. I meant that we have just discovered Slovakia and like it alot.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
marko.pyhajarvi, OK, I see - so, you have just discovered Slovakia, and like it a lot, even compared to Chamonix, which you know well from past experience. That's a good recommendation. My Finnish is not so hot....
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Yep, Slovakia is interesting. Chamonix rocks when you prefer backcountries. Otherwise it is just damn crowded.

Heh.. learning Finnish would take some time Very Happy
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Quote:

Otherwise it is just damn crowded.

I have to agree with that, even in low season (which is the only time I'd go near the place) the queues can be ridiculous. However, there are lots of nice quiet places in France, too.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
That's right, and not even far from Chamonix. By the way, Chamonix used to be pretty quiet in 1997 but not anymore. It changed much in 1999 and 2000.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Moi marko.pyhajarvi, Hyva hormenda Laughing
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Roy Hockley wrote:
Moi marko.pyhajarvi, Hyva hormenda Laughing
Moi Roy Hockley, oikein hyvää ja aurinkoista huomenta (glorious and sunny morning, Roy).
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
marko.pyhajarvi, I went to Jasna in March this year and loved it Smile
I liked your articles on your website, we stayed right next to the Zahradky lift and ate in the Chata that was there a lot, it was excellent food Smile
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
marko.pyhajarvi, En osay puhu Suomia, I used to have a Finnish girlfriend and any more she taught me I could not use on this forum!!!!!
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
lynseyf, nice to hear that you liked skiing in Jasna. I agree with you regarding the food. It is excellent in Slovakia.

Roy Hockley, not bad. I understood all you said Smile
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Roy Hockley - you were asking about rental potential in Bansko. I think people who have bought apartments and leave 'management' companies in charge of finding rentals they will be sorely disappointed. If you are prepared to do some marketing yourself you could do quite well.

I bought 2 off plan apartments 2 or 3 years ago. Whilst I would love to have bought in Canada it was way waaaaaay over my limited budget. I am happy with my purchases and so far have slightly over 12 weeks rented out this year (between the 2 apartments) that is not rentals from family or friends . That more than covers the costs - management, maintenance, utilities and a small loan.

Feb half term not yet booked so will hopefully get another 2 weeks there and maybe pick up a few more before the end of season.

As for summer rentals are sparse. Like all mountain areas there are stunning walks, climbs, biking etc but at present lots of empty apartments and not many guests. However I guess the story is similar throughout most (but not all) European resorts.
Easyjet announced flights to Sofia 3x per week which they quickly upped to 5x per week. Within a month it was daily. Wizz air are also increasing to daily so hopefully more budget flights will follow - now you can get to Sofia for around £55 return if you live in the SE. Unfortunately I don't (although that is the only time you will ever hear me say that!!!)

So what do I really think about Bansko - firstly too many new builds (still) being built but this should slow down soon. Real estate agents full of s**t etc. However the skiing is prety good (I have skied many places - Europe, N.America, Scandinavia and usually get 50-80 days per season) Not many slopes if you are into racking up mileage but there is some great tree skiing and off piste. Ski touring potential is more or less unlimited. The investment in ski infrastructure is quite something - snowmaking, quad chairs, fleet of kassbohrers etc. However this will have to continue so that the area can cope with demand and does not become a victim of its own 'success'


All said - the rental potential is there. You just have to find it Properties probably won't increase in value over the next couple of years but as construction slows and money is (hopefully) ploughed into other activities + expanding the ski area things will hopefully improve.
If you ignore the cr*p from agents and comments from people who have never been there and don't intend to go, Bansko isn't all that bad Very Happy
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
pirin-mountains, Nice web site, you seemed to be on the ball. You must be based there, or have someone locally you can trust.

Our problem is that PdS is a day travel from our part in Ireland. You need to be on the ball at changeover days or if anything goes wrong. It is not possible to run our place ourselves. Once we had a leak in apartment above us, estate agent organised everything, plumber, plasterer, electrician, liaison with insurance company etc etc. I could not have done it from this remove.

Have fun I got back from Avoriaz yesterday had a great time lots of snow.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Cheers Roy - it took a while to put together due to my poor computer skills...
I am based in NE Scotland but have a local in Bansko who I do trust and he gets things done when needed.

As my changeover days are flexible I often end up with days (weeks!) here or there which cannot be rented so any repairs etc are done then.



We are heading over to France next week to visit family near Geneva so will hopefully get 2-3 days skiing in as the snow is looking good!
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