Ski Resort Guide
Bansko
Bansko Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Bansko ski resort has hundreds of years of history, with an old centre that has traditional Bulgarian stone-and-timber houses, open public squares, cobbled streets and winding roads. However, in recent years the town has undergone a transformation. The construction of a long gondola linking the old town to the ski area totally transformed the resort from a regional backwater to a major international destination.
Bansko is one of Europe's fastest growing winter holiday destinations, fueled by second-home investments from Western Europe. However, this has recently slowed due to controversy surrounding construction on national park land designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which local environmental groups claim is illegal.
Nominated to host the 2014 Winter Olympics (Sochi in Russia being the eventual winner), the six new quad chairlifts on the mountain and one of the world's longest ski runs back down to the village have made Bansko ski resort the leading Eastern European ski destination.
Bansko is one of Europe's fastest growing winter holiday destinations, fueled by second-home investments from Western Europe. However, this has recently slowed due to controversy surrounding construction on national park land designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which local environmental groups claim is illegal.
Nominated to host the 2014 Winter Olympics (Sochi in Russia being the eventual winner), the six new quad chairlifts on the mountain and one of the world's longest ski runs back down to the village have made Bansko ski resort the leading Eastern European ski destination.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 925m (3,035ft).
Top elevation: 2,560m (8,399ft).
Base elevation: 990m (3,248ft).
Number of lifts: 14.
Number of runs: 14.
Average annual snowfall: 2m (6.6 ft).
Where in the world?
Bansko is situated on the River Glazne in the northeastern foothills of the Pirin mountains, 165km (103 miles) south of the capital Sofia and 50km (31 miles) east of the border with Macedonia. It lies north of Pirin National Park and its highest mountain, Mt Vihren, peaks at 2,914m (9,560ft).
Hit the slopes
The official season runs from mid December to mid April.
The runs are officially divided into the following levels: 30% beginners, 35% intermediate and 35% advanced, with the longest run at 16km (10 miles). Bansko is in desperate need of a second gondola, which was due to begin construction in 2008 to relieve over crowding caused by the success of the new ski area. Over 40 snow cannons cover most of the slopes with artificial snow, boosting the resort's natural base.
The Ulen Ski and Snowboard School is the largest in the region, offering ski and snowboard lessons for all levels. Equipment hire is available at many stores located near the gondola, on ulitsa Pirin.
Other snow sports available include cross country trails and a rare biathlon training centre which has already played host to major international competitions.
The runs are officially divided into the following levels: 30% beginners, 35% intermediate and 35% advanced, with the longest run at 16km (10 miles). Bansko is in desperate need of a second gondola, which was due to begin construction in 2008 to relieve over crowding caused by the success of the new ski area. Over 40 snow cannons cover most of the slopes with artificial snow, boosting the resort's natural base.
The Ulen Ski and Snowboard School is the largest in the region, offering ski and snowboard lessons for all levels. Equipment hire is available at many stores located near the gondola, on ulitsa Pirin.
Other snow sports available include cross country trails and a rare biathlon training centre which has already played host to major international competitions.
Beyond the slopes
Bansko's history comes to life in the old town. Worth visiting are the dark, peaceful Sveta Troitsa Church (ploshtad Vuzhrazhdane) with its 30m- (98ft-) high clock tower built in 1835, and the Icon Museum (ulitsa Yane Sandanski 3), which houses works by local 19th-century painters. The magnificent Rila Monastery can be visited in a day trip by car or bus.
Family fun
There are plenty of ski and snowboard schools suitable for children, including Ulen, by the lift station, which also has a kindergarten for four- to seven-year-olds, with drag lifts, ski roundabout and fun facilities.
Adjacent to the Hotel Strazhite, Ulitsa Glazne 7, is a bowling alley, and there is an ice rink, Ulitsa Pirin, near the Kempinski Hotel. For younger kids, Babini, Ulitsa Bratya Veleganovi St 14B, is a craft centre and cafe offering DIY pottery, painting and sock-knitting in a cosy atmosphere.
Adjacent to the Hotel Strazhite, Ulitsa Glazne 7, is a bowling alley, and there is an ice rink, Ulitsa Pirin, near the Kempinski Hotel. For younger kids, Babini, Ulitsa Bratya Veleganovi St 14B, is a craft centre and cafe offering DIY pottery, painting and sock-knitting in a cosy atmosphere.
Retail therapy
The Sunday morning market, Ulitsa Tsar Simeon, is one of the liveliest in southern Bulgaria, selling cheap clothes, shoes and souvenirs. Souvenir shops dotted around the town sell distinctive hand-woven striped rugs, colourful cloth bags, hand-painted pottery, huge cow bells and wooden kitchen utensils.
The street-stall in the middle of ploshtad Nikola Vapstarov has a good selection, and the Crafts & Textile Exhibition, adjacent to House-Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov, Ploshtad Nikola Vaptsarov, has hand-embroidered clothing and fabrics.
Although not the place for fashion-label hunting, there are plenty of clothes, sunglasses and jewellery shops along Ulitsa Pirin.
The street-stall in the middle of ploshtad Nikola Vapstarov has a good selection, and the Crafts & Textile Exhibition, adjacent to House-Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov, Ploshtad Nikola Vaptsarov, has hand-embroidered clothing and fabrics.
Although not the place for fashion-label hunting, there are plenty of clothes, sunglasses and jewellery shops along Ulitsa Pirin.
Après ski
Instead of chic après ski, Bansko offers a more earthy, traditional Bulgarian night out. In addition to the plethora of mehanas (see Eating Out), where the local wines flow with the food and music, a smattering of down-to-earth bars and clubs are located around ploshtad Vazrazhdane in the old part of town.
Happy End, Ulitsa Pirin, next to the lift station) is a large, lively bar attracting a wide range of skiers straight from the slopes, with occasional live music. Cocktails at Amigo Bar, Ulitsa Pirin, and the Sky Sports channel in the very English Lion Pub, Ulitsa Pirin 90A, are very popular.
Happy End, Ulitsa Pirin, next to the lift station) is a large, lively bar attracting a wide range of skiers straight from the slopes, with occasional live music. Cocktails at Amigo Bar, Ulitsa Pirin, and the Sky Sports channel in the very English Lion Pub, Ulitsa Pirin 90A, are very popular.
Eating out
Dotted around the town are over 40 mehanas - the wonderful traditional eating houses, where fine local wine and sometimes live folk music (in busy seasons) accompany hearty Bulgarian food. There is little to choose between them - the décor is usually dark wood and striped hand-woven clothes, and menus are similarly offering meats, decent salads, fish (in season) and traditional dishes.
The occasional snack stall has pizza slices, burgers or freshly-made pancakes for a lunchtime bite.
The occasional snack stall has pizza slices, burgers or freshly-made pancakes for a lunchtime bite.
Getting around
Bansko is small enough to get around on foot, and the gondola can be reached easily from most parts of town.
Splashing out
Leap out of a hot-air balloon onto the slopes (tickets available at the main ticket office). The spa at the luxurious Kempinski Hotel, Ulitsa Pirin 96, can be used by non-guests to indulge in massage, sauna, and a range of beauty treatments. Sample Bulgaria's finest wines, especially the reds from nearby Melnik.
Accommodation
Luxury
Kempinski Hotel Grand ArenaBansko's only 5-star hotel is situated next to the gondola and has 132 spacious rooms and 27 suites, as well as a pool, sauna and well-equipped spa.
Ulitsa Pirin 96
Tel: (0749) 88888.
Website: www.kempinski-bansko.com
Moderate
Avalon HotelIn a quiet part of Bansko near the old town, this medium-sized family-run hotel has simple rooms, the luxury doubles including balcony, living room and cable TV.
El Tepe 4
Tel: (0749) 88399.
Website: www.avalonhotel-bulgaria.com
Budget
Dvata SmirchaThis unpretentious family-run guest house has cosy rooms, and is set in a peaceful garden, with a lively mehana on the ground floor.
Ulitsa Velyan Ognev 2
Tel: (0749) 82632.
Getting there
Nearest airport: Sofia (SOF).
Distance to resort: 170km (106 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 170km (106 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Families, Snowboarders, Experts, Intermediates, Beginners, Non-skiers
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox.
Advertisement
Travel Deals
Advertising features
-
Finland Family holidays There is something about the snow in Finland that makes you wonder if the locals sneak out at night and spray it with a coat of brilliant white paint – it
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
