Skiing in Bulgaria: Bansko Essentials

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The Bulgarian ski resort Bansko is becoming increasingly popular with British skiers, who are enticed by cheap flights to the country, excellent skiing conditions and excellent value for money compared to more established resorts in France and Austria.

The traditional ski season in Bansko runs from the 15th of December to the 15th of May and The Guardian newspaper recently placed Bansko as the world’s number two spot in the world on its ‘most recommended’ list of ski resorts for beginners and intermediate skiers - and their noteworthy praise for the resort is predicted to push 2007 travel and tourism arrivals even higher than the predicted 8.2% increase on last year’s impressive statistics.

Bansko Skiing

The ski pistes are located in two main ski centres namely Chalin Valog which is at an elevation of between 1,100 and 1,600 metres, and Shiligarnika which sits between 1,700 and 2,500 metres. Both centres are about 10km above the town of Bansko on the northern slopes of Pirin Mountain itself.

Accessibility is easy, affordable and fun with the required 25 minute gondola ride starting in Bansko town itself and providing an exhilarating and stunning ride as skiers take in the breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys and geography above and around Bansko.

The total length of the marked pistes is 65 kilometres – but there is plenty of off piste action for the adventurous skier or snow boarder. Bansko and its slopes enjoy the best snow conditions in Bulgaria with great snow cover guaranteed from at least December to May, and there are over 40 snow cannons covering most slopes making the ski season last longer and ensuring climate changes will never affect the ski action in Bansko.

The main company licensed to offer skiing and winter sports related activities in Bansko has certainly seized and embraced the opportunity they have been afforded. The company has been behind the multiple millions of euros invested into the town and its facilities – including the construction of the brand new gondola ski lift – and they have managed to encourage foreign direct investment, (FDI), on a scale not witnessed in any of the other winter or summer sunshine resorts in Bulgaria.

Snowboarding

Alternative winter sports appeal comes in the form of snow boarding on piste, off piste and at the nearby fun park where there are jumps, half pipes and challenges for all levels of ability. Slalom and giant slalom runs are available and Bansko also has plenty of cross-country tracks and a ski run Rollbahn track as well.

Heli-Skiing

If you’re looking for more adventure then try extreme skiing, heli-skiing or even paragliding down onto the pistes – as one adventurer put it: “you look like James Bond and you have the most enlivening experience of your lifetime!” And if the pistes are too tame for you by day then you can night ski in Bansko or even try powder skiing perhaps?
You can ice skate, ride skidoos, you can go tobogganing, or you can get in out of the cold and enjoy spa breaks and shopping experiences in Bansko during the winter months.

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