Bansko
Bansko is the number one Bulgarian ski resort and since its installation of a gondola lift back in 2003 the resort has never looked back. With 44 snow cannons blasting out tonnes of snow every evening throughout the peak months you can guarantee that there will be a great amount of coverage everyday and means you can visit right into the end of the season.
Skiing in Bansko
Beginners
Not willing to spend £1,000+ into your first ski holiday? Worried about going to a ski resort where you might find yourself being intimidated by more experienced skiers and not getting chance to learn? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then Bansko could be for you this winter.
With 5 Blue runs and some of the best short Red runs, Bansko is the perfect place for you to improve your skiing technique early. Bansko’s Blue runs are some of the most varied and dynamic around and it is highly unlikely that you will get bored with these runs over a week.
If you do feel like making the step up, then there are some great Red runs that you could try later in the week and will not seem too daunting. Slopes 8, 10, 12 will provide some of the more comfortable intermediate slopes for you to try out.
Intermediates
Intermediate skiers will be spoilt for choice with the vast number of Red runs that Bansko has to offer. You will be able to test yourself to the max on some fast, dynamic slopes that really challenge you to keep on your feet.
Runs 4, 7 and 11 provide some of the best slopes for medium level skiers and will ensure that you don’t get bored over the week.
The only word of warning however, is that as some of these runs do cross over in terms over ability, you may at times see skiers skiing either above/below their ability, which could be a distraction.
Advanced
For the advanced skier, Bansko has relatively little to offer. There is only one run that will really test your ability if you are a very experienced skier. Although some of the red runs will take your fancy over the week, we would warn that if you are looking for a resort filled with hair raising black runs, then Bansko might not be for you.
Après-ski in Bansko
A common theme with Bulgarian après-ski is that you will find the following three things wherever you go:
1) Good hearty traditional food & drink
2) Friendly atmospheres with no hints of pretension
3) Low, low prices
Most traditional Mehana’s (Bulgarian word for pub) will offer a great slice of culture, with there rustic surroundings and homely feel you cannot help but have a great time when sampling the Bansko nightlife. Most bars offer great live folk music that provides the perfect back drop for a relaxed evening enjoying cheap drinks and good food that will refuel you after a hard day on the slopes. Some strict rules about local archtecture and planning means that you only get a great traditional experience and taverns like Mehana Chevermeto and Lovna Sreshta Tavern provide some of the best food, music and food around. Bansko isn’t the place to go if you want euro trance or to party into 6am the next day but if you are after a good atmosphere and to enjoy good company then it is right up your street.
Getting to Bansko Ski resort
There are two airports near to Bansko, Sofia and Plovdiv which are 2 and 2.5 hours away respectively.