Bansko is Bulgaria's # 1 ski resort, having the best and most
modern ski centre of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the recent years a
multi-million euros investment in a brand new skiing area has been made by
Yulen, the company which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort.
Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season (15 Dec - 15 May) of
all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the last couple of years this resort is under
a massive
investment process with new hotels and resort facilities being under
construction. A brand new resort area with super luxury hotels and holiday
apartments is being developed just opposite the Gondola, which also makes Bansko
the resort with the best hotels.
The town of Bansko is situated nearby
the river Glazane (left feeder of Mesta River) in the north- eastern foot of
Pirin, right bellow the highest and most beautiful part of the mountain. Its
name comes from the old Bulgarian word “ban”, which means “master”. It is just
160 kilometers away from Sofia and 6 kilometers from Razlog. Bansko has
developed into a favourite ski & snowboard destination, thanks to the
excellent ski facilities combined with the unique architecture and historical
significance.
The town of Bansko is located on 925 m. above sea level, and
its skiing area is on 2000-2600 m. The Pirin mountain has a predominantly Alpine
character and highest peak in the area is Vihren 2914 m.
The ski pistes are
located in two main ski - centres- CHALIN VALOG (1100-1600m) and SHILIGARNIKA
(1700-2500m). They are approximately 10 kilometers above the town on the
northern slopes of Pirin, and are easily accessible for approx. 25 minutes on
the new Gondola lift which starts from Bansko. The total length of the marked
pistes is 65 kilometers.
Although the resort is world famous for not more
than 10 years it has a lot to offer to its guests. The resort has excellent snow
conditions with great snow cover from December untill May.
44 Technoalpine
snow cannons cover most of the slopes and make the ski season last longer. The
maximum pleasure from the various ski pistes is guaranteed by 12 Kassbohrer
slope maintenance vehicles. Thus the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types
of skiers and will suit both beginners and experts.
The snowboard lovers can enjoy the first on the Balkans fun
park where people from all over the world are lead by the passion of the
extreme. They can build jumps suiting their taste and abilities.
Every day
skiers and snowboarders can take part in the competitions on the new piste on
Shiligarnika.
The lifts and pistes operator in Bansko takes care for the
maximum comfort of the skier and snowboarders with the exclusive 8-seats Gondola
cable car by Dopplemayer, five 4- seat lifts of the latest Doppelmayer models,
one 3-seat lift by Poma, 7 drags and 10 baby drags. The total length of the wire
equipment in the resort is 26 kilometers. All ski equipment can be used by one
chip-card from SkiData.
Huge monitors showing pictures from the different
pistes is based on the starting station of the Gondola. Thus people will have
more information of the wind and temperature conditions before climbing up on
the slope.
Slalom and Giant slalom runs are available. Bansko offers a
cross-country track with a total length of 5 km. A 3 km ski run Rollbahn track
is situated 2 km far from the town.
Bansko is a resort which is developing with extremely fast temps. The concessionaire Ulen provides new opportunities for the skiers, for the snowboarders, for the extreme sports, biathlon and cross - country skiing. There are two brand new pistes and for extreme skiers there is the so called fun - park zone. One of the pistes connects Platoto with the Jelezen most site and the other one is from Kolarski pat to Banderishka polyana. These pistes are wonderfully defining the net of totally 14 pistes. A bonus for the skier is the new 7 kilometers long lighted ski - road between Banderishka polyana and the town. Some of the pistes offer wonderful conditions for night skiing, which is available for everyone from 18.30 until 21.30. Snow boarders can enjoy the first on the Balkans fun - Park. It offers 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. Bansko offers great variety of ski pistes that can satisfy everyone's tastes and abilities. The highest ski piste is on 2600 meters above the sea level and 990m.
Height of the resort: 925 m
Highest skiing area: 2600 m
Total length of ski runs: 65 km
Longest run: 7 km
Direction of slopes: North
LIfts in Bansko
The lifts and pistes in Bansko take care of your maximum comfort with their 8-man Gondola cable car by Doppelmayer, five 4 seat lifts of the latest Dopplemayer models, one 3- seat lift by Poma, 7 drags and 10 baby drags. The easy access to al lifts is secured by chip cards from SkiData.
New gondola lift - modern equipment!
A new 8- seat lift - gondola “Dopelmaier” started working last season. It is over 6 kilometers long and connects the town with Banderishka meadow. When one gets on it, he feels the incredible feeling that he is flowing over the snow slopes of Pirin towards the heart of the mountain. You can leave your car on the parking on the start station of the lift. The resort posses 26 kilometers ski- lifts with personnel, that help the skiers. The card for all the equipment is without contact, it is placed on the left side of the jacket, and when the skier passes, he do not have to take it out.
Two new four seat lifts - from Banderishki to Kolarski road and from Zelezniq Bridge to Platoto. Drag - lift that is serving the right part of “Tomba” slope for beginners.
Ski equipment for Children
The comfort in the mountain is unlimited. There is a ski- kindergarten for kids from 4 to 7 years old with new drags and ski - run. The resort offers Junior Club ski kindergarten with 3 baby drugs, a Wonder Carpets baby track, and a winter/ summer rotunda type Kinder Carousel. The total number of baby drags is 10 - 100m each.
APRES SKI
The unique combination of a well developed mountain resort
and a living historical town turns it into an elegant place for entertainment.
Virtually every house has its own story to tell, which indeed can turn your
vacation into a journey to the Bulgarian traditions. The traditional Bansko
taverns (called "Mehana"), with their exceptional charm and style offer local
atmosphere by their cuisine and good selection of Bulgarian wines. Most of the
local "Mehanas" even offer live folk music. Many local cafes and bars offer
refreshments. Discos and night clubs work without time limit, and usually close
early in the morning
PLACES TO GO
Of course there's a lot to see in the town of Bansko
itself, with around 120 cultural and historical monuments will have a lot to
explore. Various souvenir shops offer the creations of the local artists and
smiths.
Bansko is known to be unique site with international significance for
the international tourism. Except for the beautiful Pirin Mountain the town
possesses rich historical sites. Remains from ancient fortresses in the Staroto
Gradishte site, are situated just four kilometers in western direction and the
Ulen site along the Demianitsa river flow. Nearby Staroto Gradishte site there
are Thracian mound hills.
South of Bansko is situated the National Park Pirin
included in the UNESCO list for cultural and natural sightseeing. The park is
rich with its lakes, waterfalls, caves, venerable trees and historical sites.
Bansko together with Dobrinishte are also famous for their mineral springs, the
reserve Bayovi dupki- Djindjiritsa.
We also recommend a visit to the famous Rila
Monastery and the busy city of Sofia.
ACCOMMODATION & CATERING
Being the biggest ski resort of Bulgaria, practically
Bansko offers great opportunities in this respect satisfying visitors of
different financial means.
There are many luxury hotels (plus one five star
hotel), holiday apartments as well as more than 40 small family hotels. We
strongly recommend you arrange your hotel and additional skiing service before
you go to Bansko, as the resort is quite busy during the winter.
Bansko
is very different from the older ski resorts of
Borovets or Pamporovo, which
were specially designed skiing centres. Bansko combines great skiing, beautiful
nature and historical significance.
MEDICAL & DENTAL SERVICE
The Emergency SKI PATROL service is available 24 hours a
day. Ambulance and clinic (with doctor and nurse) are available, as well as
first aid, on all ski slopes. Fully equipped and functioning hospitals is
available in Bansko. Highly qualified dentists are available at the resort
too.
Pharmacies are also available at the resort.
Some medical and
all dental services must be paid in cash to the doctors (clinics). They should
provide the necessary bills, receipts and invoices describing the service and
the cost, so that you can claim back the expense to your insurance company. It's
recommended you call your insurance company and
inform them in case of
injury. Please follow their instructions.
