Bansko has 70 kilometres of marked ski runs and cross country tracks that have been extensively cultivated. More than 50% of the slopes are covered bysnow cannons and all runs are groomed by more than 12 Kassbohrer slope maintenance vehicles to guarantee maximum safety and pleasure from the great selection of nursery, intermediate, and advanced pistes. The ski runs are serviced by a number of chair lifts and drag lifts, all of which are cutting edge Doppelmayer ski lifts, including the 8-man Gondola and the four-chair lift with bubble shields to protect you from harsh weather conditions. Expect no queues for this and the coming seasons for the easy hands-free access to all lifts is secured by SkiData chip-card ski passes that you never need to take out of your pocket, which is still a rare occurrence in many other resorts.
In addition to on-piste skiing, skiers and snowboarders are welcome to the fun park in the Platoto area which offers fans of the extreme winter sports the option to ski over present artificial bumps and jumps as well as to build those on their own. Also, the half-pipe located by the place where Bansko’s famous snow towers are usually built, offers both skiers and snowboarders an arena to boast their latest tricks. Some of the pistes offer wonderful conditions for night skiing, which is available for everyone from 18.30 until 21.30.
If you do not have your own ski or snowboard gear, you can pre-book now from more than 2200 pairs of carving ski and more than 200 snowboards, all of which are the latest models by Atomic and Salomon.
Last but not least, Bansko offers its guests a unique 16-kilometre uninterrupted skiing, starting from Todorka Peak at the highest point of the ski center, all the way to base station of the Gondola lift at the outskirts of town. The last 7 km of the slope are lighted, and the entire facility is equipped with artificial snow machines to ensure a great skiing experience even in warmer conditions.
Beginners
Bansko is a great place for first-time skiers and snowboarders. The ULEN Ski-school has some of Bulgaria’s best instructors and the ULEN Rent-a-ski offers the latest in ski and snowboard equipment. This, combined with the availability of baby-drags and plenty of blue runs, has instituted the resort as the place where many have become enchanted with the magic of winter sports and where even more keep returning.
Intermediate
Plenty of blue and red runs, suitable to intermediate skiers, make the resort a very good choice both for those committed to becoming experts, as well as for those who take up winter sports merely as a recreational activity. Most runs are accessible by chair lifts and there are a number of dining establishments by the slopes for skiers and snowboarders to re-charge or unwind. Hands-free access to lifts and the rare occurrence of queues designate Bansko as a smart choice for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Advanced and Off-piste
While some red runs and the Alberto Tomba black run should keep most experts busy, Bansko is probably more popular with experts for its great offerings of extreme and off-piste skiing. The resort is a regular host to extreme competitions, but even on quieter days there is the alternative to compete on pre-defined slalom traces on the marked slopes. The ski and snowboard fun-park area and the half-pipe facility are popular playgrounds for experts to boast their latest tricks. The Bansko snow towers, these hand-made symbols of extreme skiing and snowboarding, are another prominent assembly site for fans of the extreme. Powder skiing, heli-skiing and para-gliding are also available locally and can be booked through the Balkan Holidays representatives in the resort.
If you wish to take it off-piste, please make sure that your insurance policy covers off-piste skiing and that you take a guide with you.
Biathlon and Cross Country
Bansko, with its biathlon and cross-country trails, is also the choice of Irina Nikulchina and Nina Kadeva, two Bulgarian women that are among the world’s top ten biathlon racers.
Ski Lifts
The well-maintained lift system works from 09:30 till 16:30 each day. Ski guide service is available for intermediate and advanced skiers for off-piste skiing. Full day guiding service is also available to snowboarders.
Night Skiing
The night skiing event allows skiers and snowboarders to relax after a hard day on the runs in one of the dining establishments in the Banderitsa area and then, after sunset, ski down the unique 7 km lighted ski run to town in the company of experienced ski and snowboard teachers. Night skiing, which is open to everyone on Saturday evening, can also be booked on weekdays through your holiday representative on the spot.
Après Ski
Among other Bulgarian mountain resorts, Bansko offers what is probably the best après-ski, because it is a unique combination of a modern mountain resort and a living rustic town with a population of about 10,000 people. Almost a hundred “mehana” dining places offer peculiar local cuisine dishes, such as “kapama” or “Banski starets” in the atmosphere of traditional songs and dances, performed by local artists. In some of the smaller “mehana” your waiter may very well be the proprietor of the place.
Besides the famous local church, St. Trinity, there are many historical, architectural, and cultural monuments in Bansko, including the houses of many famous Bulgarians from the period of the Bulgarian Revival. Both winter and summer, Bansko hosts a number of festivals, including the Bansko Jazz Fest and the Festival of Local Traditions.
Bansko’s most popular hangout for night birds is the Amnesia disco club, which features popular music in a relaxed atmosphere. A good place to be on a day off the slopes could be the bowling at hotel Strazhite.
If you are ready to unwind even before you have taken off your ski or snowboard shoes, visit one of the numerous dining establishments and ski-bars by the slopes in the Bansko ski area as well as those by the base station of the Gondola cable car. There are plenty of new diners and ski-bars to quench your thirst. Sky TV with sport channels are available in Happy End bar and in the lobby bar of hotel Strazhite.
Click here for more information on ski condition and Bansko webcam.
