Bansko is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 927 m above sea level. Bansko ski resort has 48 km of pistes and 15 ski lifts. Top of the area is at 2.600 m above sea level.
Bansko is Bulgaria’s ‘Winter Ski Capital’ and is one of the most popular ski resorts in Eastern Europe. Recognized and protected by UNESCO, it has become Bulgaria’s largest and most modern ski area.
Bansko ski resort
Orientation of the slopes is to the north and when you add snow making machines we can say that snow reliability is great. New investments in last 10-15 years transformed the resort from old eastern European village into modern ski centre.
Blue slopes are dominant, even reds are not tricky at all. Bansko is a good place to learn to ski, not only is it cheaper than alternatives but there is a dedicated area for beginners that, is largely free of through traffic.
For intermediate skiers, there are plenty of medium to difficult runs to enjoy as well as a few challenging red runs. But, if you are an experienced skier, this may not be the right place for you. There is a black run, but it is quite short.
The hardest piste is called Tomba after Italian ski superstar. It is venue for women world cup races (if you want to try it avoid middle of February because it is closed due to preparations for the race).
Bansko has small snowpark just by Plato lift. It has 4 kickers (2 for beginners and 2 for advanced riders) and also several rails, rainbows and fun boxes. You will find natural elements (small kickers, walls etc.) all around the resort, hence you will have lot of fun even outside the park.
Bansko freeride
One of the main reasons many people keep coming back to Bansko is the powder skiing. When conditions are good, Bansko has some of the best lift-accessible off-piste terrains in Bulgaria. But be warned, many of the couloirs have a high risk of avalanches and people have died from avalanches in the past. Strongly advise getting a guide if you want to get the most out of your day in the safest manner.
The Todorka, Bunderitza and Shiligarnik lifts are the ones you should be looking under for nice powder lines, but these are also the first to be eaten up by powder craving locals. You will also find some interesting short lines between trees around Mosta lift.
The most emblematic freeride spot in Bansko has to be the north face of Mt. Todorka (expert terrain!). This is the terrain you can see even from the town, just below the peak of the mountain.
To get there you need to take the lifts to the highest station and from there it’s about an hour to hike up. Hiking up can often times be harder than skiing down, as the path is very narrow and you’ll find yourself literally rock climbing at some spots. Once you get to the top you have a lot of options on where to ski. You can ski down the north side and back towards the Plato ski run, you can also go west towards the Vihren hut, or southwards and reach the Damianica hut. There have been many freeride competitions held on the north side, including a qualifier to the Freeride World Tour!
Bansko village
The town of Bansko is an internationally renowned mountain resort that attracts numerous tourists from Bulgaria and abroad in all seasons. In Bansko and the region, there are 320 accommodation facilities which have more than 16,000 rooms in guest houses... or luxury hotels.
If you like to relax and unwind after a long day of skiing or snowboarding you will be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do in Bansko.
For those who enjoy a flutter, the casino is a great place to spend the evening. There is also a bowling alley, ice skating rink and several of the hotels open their spas up to the public.
There is also a good choice of bars, restaurants and clubs in the town. The Lion pub is always popular with the British crowd and Harry’s Bar is the place to go for live music and a party atmosphere.
When it comes to eating out you are really spoilt for choice, there are plenty of great cafes and restaurants located in the town. Le Retro cafe serves mainly French food and it is very popular with the locals as well as holidaymakers. The Irish Harp is a great place to go if you enjoy British and Irish pub food. If you want a pizza or other European food, The Victoria is a great option. To experience some local traditional Bulgarian food, the Baryakova Tavern is worth a visit.
ATMs are placed at key locations such as public buildings, museums, hotels, bars, nightclubs, and near the ski lift.