Bansko's Fairytale of Christmas Lights

Issue #22

In this week’s Buzz:

  • What’s the tipping culture like in Bansko?

  • Local paid parking scheme is extended to additional streets

  • Are ATMs now charging all non-Bulgarian bank cards?

  • The three places in town that have great house wine

  • Feeling inspired? Help me (Nick) come up with a name for the Buzz Bee (logo)

Local Municipality Shows Off Town’s Christmas Lights

by Bansko Municipality

This week, the municipality published a video showing all of the Christmas decorations throughout the town. Above is a shot of the Christmas tree in the main square: they’ve definitely made the effort.

Before we get into the newsletter, I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. No matter who you’ll enjoy the festive celebrations with, I hope you have a great Christmas week. 🍷

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 140 New Posts, 💬 731 Comments, 👍️ 2,820 Reactions

What’s The Tipping Culture Like in Bansko?
Mike was arriving this weekend and wanted to know what the “norm” was when it comes to tipping in Bansko. Some people had suggestions.

Ticket & Lift Pass Prices For 2024/2025 Ski Season
I posted that Ulen has released the new ticket & lift prices for this season. Most prices have matched the season pass price by going up by 13-15%.

I’m a Non-Skier and Coming to Bansko. Wana Grab Lunch?
Carolyn posted that she’s coming to Bansko and doesn’t ski, but wondered if some people would want to meet up. If you don’t go up the mountain either, check out the post.

Can I Use a Card To Pay or Should I Bring Cash?
Lynn asked whether most places accept card payments in Bansko or whether she should bring cash. A few people commented with their opinion.

I Like Spicy. Where Do I Buy Spices in Town?
Prem, who works at Kempinski, wants to cook some spicy food and is looking for cumin, curry powder, and chili powder. Some people had suggestions.

Local/Municipality News

Bansko Municipality Increases Number of Paid Parking Zones
The local municipality has announced the inclusion of three more zones to the paid (blue) parking scheme. A few different locations in town, including around Bojourland, the street up past The French Guy Bakery, and the street Feniks laundry is on. More info [translation required.] A park in any blue zone permit for the year is 120BGN for Bansko residents (380BGN for others). See here for more details.

One Dead, One Injured in Avalanche Near Vihren Hut
On Friday (20th), a few friends decided to go up the mountain and wanted to go off-piste. Little did they know not all would return unscathed. Luckily, no one else was injured or killed during the avalanche. More info.

Municipality Continues Improvements Towards “Green Energy”
The local municipality has installed solar panels on the roof of St. Paisii Hilendarski Primary School, Neofit Rilski Primary School, and the Home Social Patronage Building. The municipality said, “Using renewable energy reduces dependence on traditional energy resources and contributes to environmental conservation, reduces carbon emissions and the cost of electricity.” More info.

DSK Bank ATMs Now Charging Foreign Cards?
It looks as though the DSK ATMs (green ones) in Bansko are now charging foreign cards a fee for withdrawals. I’ve been using the one opposite 4 Directions for years without charge until I went the other day, and it wanted to charge me a fee! (I really don’t like bank fees 😁) At least the new Postbank ATM on Pirin Street (up from Pirin 75) and the FiBank ones are still fee-free.

Local Businesses in Bansko

Get a valuation to sell your property in Bansko

Happy hour 4-6pm all week

Book a day pass online

Enjoy reading the Bansko Buzz every Sunday? Feel free to buy me (Nick) a coffee. Caffeine fuels my Sundays when I put the newsletter together.

Shared transfers from Sofia Airport to Bansko with Traventuria. Get to Bansko quickly and in style during the winter season. Always on time. Check availability.

Celebrate the festive period with happy hour at The Hub, every day from 4pm to 6pm: only 8 BGN for 2 x wine or beer (excludes Christmas Day).

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Events Next Week

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
Tomorrow evening (Monday 23rd) is the Bansko Street Dogs’ pub quiz at The Chef’s House. I hear there’s only space for one more team, so head to their Facebook page and register if you want to join.

Bulgarian Christmas Eve Dinner (Featured)
Le Retro has just a few tables left for its Christmas Eve dinner celebrations on the 24th of December 2024. For its seventh year running, Le Retro will put on nine Bulgarian dishes for people to try, and to celebrate Christmas Eve Bulgarian style. Please note: this venue and night are meat-free. More info.

Annual Avalanche Training
The Avalon is running its annual avalanche training in January. On Tuesday, the 14th of January, from 6pm to 9pm, at the Avalon, there will be theory training. On Wednesday, the 15th of January, there will be a full practical day of training in the backcountry to practice what you learned the previous evening. Price: 140BGN. Message the Avalon to book.

Photo of the Week

Taking the lift up Shiligarnika.
Epic snowfall this weekend, and everyone who’s been up has tired legs 😄.

photo by Bilyana Andreeva

Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.

Before You Go…

The three places with pretty decent house wine in town that I mentioned last week? Smokey Mountain, The Hub, and Station Bansko by Tsakiris.

They all have the boxed Logodaj wine in red, white, and rose. I’m pretty sure all three places have all three colours, and pricing is around 5 or 6 BGN a glass. Most other places have pretty poor house wine in comparison.


Nick Sanders
Publisher, Bansko Buzz

p.s. I’m looking for a name for the Bansko Buzz mascot/logo. If you’ve got a suggestion that’s bee-friendly, hit the reply button and let me know. 😁