Bansko is a beautiful and ancient town established in the 9th century AD and located 160km south of Sofia. The town is magnificently encircled by the Pirin, Rila, and Rhodopa Mountains. The town is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

With a total ski run length of 70 kilometres covering 14 pistes and a ski season that lasts for five months Bansko is a great place to be and a perfect destination for skiing and snowboarding.

As well as being a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, Bansko has a rich natural landscape of forests, mountains, lakes, waterfalls and caves makes it ideal for trekking, hunting, fishing and sight-seeing in winter and summer seasons alike. Bansko also boasts over 100 cultural and historic monuments.

More than 50% of the slopes are covered by snow cannons and all runs are groomed by more than 12 Kassbohrer slope maintenance vehicles to guarantee maximum safety and pleasure from the great selection of nursery, intermediate, and advanced pistes. The ski runs are serviced by a number of chair lifts and drag lifts, all of which are cutting edge Doppelmayer ski lifts, including the 8-man Gondola and the four-chair lift with bubble shields to protect you from harsh weather conditions.

In addition to on-piste skiing, skiers and snowboarders are welcome to the fun park in the Platoto area which offers fans of the extreme winter sports the option to ski over present artificial bumps and jumps as well as to build those on their own. Also, the half-pipe, offers both skiers and snowboarders an arena to boast their latest tricks. Some of the pistes offer wonderful conditions for night skiing, which is available for everyone from 18.30 until 21.30.

Last but not least, Bansko offers its guests a unique 16-kilometre uninterrupted skiing, starting from Todorka Peak at the highest point of the ski center, all the way to base station of the Gondola lift at the outskirts of town. The last 7 km of the slope are lighted, and the entire facility is equipped with artificial snow machines to ensure a great skiing experience even in warmer conditions.

Bansko is a great place for first-time skiers and snowboarders. The ULEN Ski-school has some of Bulgaria’s best instructors and the ULEN Rent-a-ski offers the latest in ski and snowboard equipment. This, combined with the availability of baby-drags and plenty of blue runs, has instituted the resort as the place where many have become enchanted with the magic of winter sports and where even more keep returning.

Plenty of blue and red runs, suitable to intermediate skiers, make the resort a very good choice both for those committed to becoming experts, as well as for those who take up winter sports merely as a recreational activity. Most runs are accessible by chair lifts and there are a number of dining establishments by the slopes for skiers and snowboarders to re-charge or unwind. Hands-free access to lifts and the rare occurrence of queues designate Bansko as a smart choice for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

While some red runs and the Alberto Tomba black run should keep most experts busy, Bansko is probably more popular with experts for its great offerings of extreme and off-piste skiing. The resort is a regular host to extreme competitions, but even on quieter days there is the alternative to compete on pre-defined slalom traces on the marked slopes. The ski and snowboard fun-park area and the half-pipe facility are popular playgrounds for experts to boast their latest tricks. The Bansko snow towers, these hand-made symbols of extreme skiing and snowboarding, are another prominent assembly site for fans of the extreme. Powder skiing, heli-skiing and para-gliding are also available locally and can be booked through the Balkan Holidays representatives in the resort.

If you wish to take it off-piste, please make sure that your insurance policy covers off-piste skiing and that you take a guide with you.

The well-maintained lift system works from 09:30 till 16:30 each day. Ski guide service is available for intermediate and advanced skiers for off-piste skiing. Full day guiding service is also available to snowboarders.

The night skiing event allows skiers and snowboarders to relax after a hard day on the runs in one of the dining establishments in the Banderitsa area and then, after sunset, ski down the unique 7 km lighted ski run to town in the company of experienced ski and snowboard teachers. Night skiing, which is open to everyone on Saturday evening, can also be booked on weekdays through your holiday representative on the spot.

Among other Bulgarian mountain resorts, Bansko offers what is probably the best après-ski, because it is a unique combination of a modern mountain resort and a living rustic town with a population of about 10,000 people. Almost a hundred “mehana” dining places offer peculiar local cuisine dishes, such as “kapama” or “Banski starets” in the atmosphere of traditional songs and dances, performed by local artists. In some of the smaller “mehana” your waiter may very well be the proprietor of the place. Besides the famous local church, St. Trinity, there are many historical, architectural, and cultural monuments in Bansko, including the houses of many famous Bulgarians from the period of the Bulgarian Revival. Both winter and summer, Bansko hosts a number of festivals, including the Bansko Jazz Fest and the Festival of Local Traditions.

Courtesy of HHB Holidays

The village of Bansko offers a wide variety of cuisines. As well as traditional Bulgarian dishes, many restaurants serve food with influences ranging from European to Russian or Indian. You will also find an excellent selection of local wines and beers on offer. Indeed, there are a number of old-style pubs, taverns and cafes in the old town, all possessing a unique charm and offering food and drink at relatively cheap prices.

Nightlife in Bansko is unforgettable and varied. At last count there were 45 pubs, 3 night clubs, and over 100 restaurants! There is definitely something for every body.