The newest and best-equipped ski resort in Bulgaria
The skiing in Bansko is superb, with state-of-the-art ski lifts and well-tended Alpine-style slopes ideal for family ski holidays. Whether you a complete beginner or an advanced skier, snowboarder, biathlon or cross country skier, Bansko has something to offer everyone, including good tuition at all levels and some exciting off-piste action.
By far the most well-equipped and modern of Bulgaria’s ski resorts, it has had millions of Euros spent on upgrading its facilities and boasts a state-of-the-art lift system, including a new gondola. Now Bulgaria is part of the EU, the development will continue with further improvements to the infrastructure, the opening of new pistes and a second gondola planned.
Due to the altitude of the ski areas and the town, Bansko has an excellent snow record and a long ski season which can run from mid December through to early May. It is 936m above sea level and its highest ski point is at 2560m. More than 50% of the slopes are covered by snow cannon, ensuring there is always good snow cover.
The two main ski areas are Chalin Valog at 1100-1600m and Shiligarnika at 1700-2560m which are approximately 10 kms above the town. There are 65km of pisted ski runs and a snowboarders fun park. Good off-piste and night skiing are also catered for and skiers can experience the fun of a last ski back down into the town at the end of the day along the 7km floodlit ski road. The slopes offer varying degrees of difficulty – 35% are beginner level, 45% intermediate and 20% advanced. The longest combined run is 16km, and there are 9kms of cross country trails. Slalom and giant slalom runs are available on the Shiligarnika slopes and the cross-country track on the Banderishka Polyana slope has a total length of 5 km. It is not unusual to see the Bulgarian National Ski Team practicing in the resort and Bansko is increasingly playing host to international ski competitions and is in the race to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The ski area is accessed by a state-of-the-art Doppelmayer eight-seater gondola which runs from the base of the mountains for around four miles, passing through a mid station on its way up to the main ski area. The trip takes around 20 minutes with great views of the mountains and back down into the valley and Bansko town. From the main gondola station, all of the main ski areas can be accessed by a variety of further lifts which require easy-to-use, hands-free data chip card passes (readable through the pocket of a jacket for hassle-free entrance onto the lifts) available from the gondola station or ski rental shops. Compared with many other ski resorts, there are rarely queues for the lifts, except in peak weeks.
key facts:
- Height of resort: 936m
- Highest skiing area: 2560m
- Highest ski lift: 2560m
- Marked ski runs: 65km
- Longest track combination: 16km
- Cross country trails: 9km
- Beginner ski slopes: 8 (blue)
- Intermediate ski slopes: 11 (red)
- Advanced ski slopes: 1 (black)
- Ski lifts: 1 gondola, 7 high speed chairs, 6 drags, 4 baby drags
- Maintenance: over 70 snow cannon and 15 snow grooming machines
Bansko operates a round-the-clock Emergency Ski Patrol with a short-code mobile number for skiers in trouble. An ambulance and clinic (with doctor and nurse) are available, as well as first aid on all ski slopes and fully equipped and functioning hospital facilities in the town. Mountain insurance is available from the Gondola ticket office for a small sum (reductions for families) and helps speed recovery off the mountain should helicopter mountain rescue become necessary. However, guests should ensure they have full holiday insurance, including cover for winter sports.
Bansko Ski Apartment for Bansko skiing holidays - Rented direct from the owner
Bulgaria’s newest ski resort
Bansko Skiing