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Bansko Ski Resort
Sitting at the base of the mighty Todorka peak in the Pirin Mountains, lies Bansko, Bulgaria's newest resort which is quickly becoming one of the country's most popular ski destinations. Given the rustic mountain charm, fantastic skiing on offer and lively après ski, it comes as no surprise that the resort is continuing to draw in and churn out happy skiers. And in case this wasn't enough, you'll pay a fraction of the price of a similar holiday in France or Switzerland.
Don’t let the resort’s popularity put you off though – Bansko is now a World Heritage Site, thanks to its rich culture and tradition, which have succeeded in fighting off the commercial feel that comes with so many modern ski resorts. Bansko also comes with the added bonus of soaring North-facing slopes with high altitudes, meaning waking up to fresh powder and a long ski season. With a Funpark to keep the freestyle skiers and snowboarders happy and floodlit slopes for late-night returns to the village, this really is a perfectly rounded resort. Non-skiers are also sure to find something here to keep them entertained. You can choose from ice-skating and ski-doo rides, kicking back in a relaxing spa or simply admiring the traditional architecture and culture found in the village centre. A highlight in the resort centre is the beautiful village square, which includes the Virgin Mary Church, with magnificent woodcarvings dating back to the 6th Century.
The resort’s nearest airport is in Bulgaria’s bustling capital Sofia. The transfer may be a 3-hour drive between the two, but close your eyes and think of the fresh powder that awaits and the journey will fly by. So as not to waste any more time between you and the slopes, the lift system is efficient, modern and very quick, whisking you up the mountain in less than 20 minutes.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Bulgaria, Pirin Mountains.
Established: 2003
Open: December – May
Downhill: 75km
View our detailed Bansko snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Bansko snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Sofia (SOF) | 163km, 3 hrs |
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| Top Altitude: | 2600m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 936m |
| Resort Altitude: | 936m |
| Longest run: | 16km |
| Slope Orientation: | N |
| Vertical Drop: | 1664m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1664m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 75km |
| Beginner slopes: | 30% |
| Intermediate: | 45% |
| Advanced slopes: | 35% |
| Lift Pass Price: | £119 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Semkovo, Kulinoto | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Bansko
Bansko has in recent years been home to the FIS Alpine World Cup, which can go some way in demonstrating the quality of the snow and the condition in which they are maintained. If it's good enough for the pros, it's certainly good enough for us!
Beginners are well looked after here, whether this is your first time skiing or you're a couple of ski sessions left from the reds. New skiers, especially the little ones, can make the most of the Pirin or Ulen ski schools, before venturing out onto the gentle blues, like the Plato slope and the long, picturesque return on the Bansko slope.
The reds here will offer a good challenge to most intermediates, whilst some of the more difficult blues under the Mosta lift will keep them more than happy. The pistes here are wide in general, always well maintained, and covered mostly by the resort's snowmaking capabilities. Amongst these painstakingly maintained reds, highlights include the long descent from Bansko's highest lift on the Bunderitsa slope.
Expert skiers may be uninspired by the black runs in terms of difficulty, but this is more than made up for by the magnificent views and scenery found on the Tomba slope – named after Alberto Tomba, Olympic slalom gold medalist. Should the advanced skier still have a thirst for something more testing, the two ski routes at the top and bottom of the Mosta lift are perfect, particularly the twists and turns through the tree-lined 2 ski route.
Snowboarders can make the most of the wide slopes and boarder-friendly lifts, but the main highlight is undoubtedly the Snow park, built for the Burton AM tour in 2006 it's had some updates since, but remains a great place to hone your freestyle skills. The park is next to the Plato 1 slope and includes lines of kickers, rails and boxes and a few smaller jumps.
If the fantastic slopes haven't satisfied your need for speed during the day, fear not, as the pistes are all bordered by floodlights which light up the snow and let you ski late into the night.
Bansko Apres Ski
A living and breathing town, Bansko is the liveliest of the Bulgarian resorts so you can bank on vibrant après ski here.
Le retro will give you a little piece of France. If you want a taste of the Orient go to the Kempinski Hotel’s sushi bar and Teppanyaki grill; but for an authentic taste of traditional Bulgarian grub, head for one of the many ‘Mehanas’ in the village. A Mehana is a Balkan take on a ‘tavern’, easily spotted with their homely feel, lively violinists, and of course fantastic food, all 3 of which you’ll find at the Tavern Matsurev Han or the Baryakova.
After you’ve stuffed yourself silly with veal and steaming stews, it’s almost time for a drink, although we’d highly recommend a rest section between the two! Either find yourself a quiet pub (we like JJ Murphy’s) or head down to Lion’s pub for a pint of the local brew, served best with a side of live Premier League football. If you can resist the temptation to go and belt out some Queen at the Karaoke Bar, and just want to party late into the night, the ever-popular Happy End bar is the place for you.
After you’ve recovered from the night with a hangover-busting Bulgarian breakfast, should you somehow fancy a day off from skiing, there’s plenty on offer. For a truly unforgettable, hair-raising experience, try out paraskiing from the Todorka peak. For something a little more relaxed, there’s ice skating, rejuvenating spa treatments, or just admiring the village’s beautiful architecture, including the iconic 6th century Virgin Mary Church.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Bansko
Best time to visit & ski Bansko
Bansko has more reliable snow than the other Bulgarian resorts - its high altitude (reaching a lofty 2600m) and North-facing slopes mean the ski season usually goes on into late April, the slopes well shielded from the spring sun, and preserving your precious powder. If you’re planning a last-minute break early in the season, it’s best to check recent conditions – 90% of the ski area is covered by snow cannons if the snow gods need a helping hand, meaning you should find good coverage. You’ll probably find the best conditions between February and March if you want to book somewhere in advance. Should the temperatures somehow prove a little too high for the snow to last all day long later on in the season, make the most of it in the morning before soaking up some rays on 180° Restaurant’s outdoor beer garden. Many skiers opt to take the gondola from the main ski centre down to town to avoid the lower slopes later on in the day.
Peak Dates
There’s no better way to celebrate Krimbo than waking up to a white Christmas in Bansko. The mix of great skiing and enchanting village surroundings combine here perfectly, to give you that magical festive feeling. Bansko Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year’s Eve in Bansko is an unforgettable way to welcome in the coming year. Fireworks illuminate the night sky before revellers party on into the early hours. Recover the next day with jaw-dropping views and exhilarating skiing. Bansko New Year ski holidays ‣
Give the kids that February Half-term break they’ve been wishing for here in Bansko. Whether they’re new to the snow or ready to tackle some blues, this resort has something for the whole family, all topped off by some great Bulgarian food to recount the days’ adventures! Bansko Half Term ski holidays ‣
The North facing slopes mean the snow is still usually in great condition during Easter in Bansko. Enjoy the fantastic views from over 2000m altitude, and experience the thrill of skiing in the sun well into the off-peak season. Bansko Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Bansko
Bansko is a great place for a family ski trip, owing largely in part to the fantastic learning facilities and family-friendly hotels. The ski schools pride themselves on years of teaching experience and English proficiency, and not only guarantee your kids will learn loads but will have the time of their lives doing so! If the skiers in your family are a little past the nursery slope stage, there are some great confidence-building slopes here, namely the Plato slope, and the long winding blue under the Shiligarnik lift.
As far as accommodation goes, the Hotel Sport Bansko is in the perfect location for any families with learners, just a stone’s throw from the ski school meeting point. Most of the other accommodation is all fairly localised around the village centre, not far at all from the lifts. The Hotel Pirin’s large rooms and modern facilities also make it a great choice for families. Any teens travelling with the family will be glad to know there is WiFi available in most if not all of our hotels, so your Facebook addiction need not suffer whilst you’re away! Should the young adults be able to tear themselves away from their technology for long enough, we’re sure they’ll enjoy the Funpark under the Plato lift, complete with rails and jumps to show off some moves.
For the best value for you and your family, book a package including flights accommodation and transfers, or alternatively look for our self-drive or independent travel offers.
GroupsGroup Holidays Bansko
Travelling in a group can often be difficult; there may be skiers of different standards, non-skiers, trouble finding accommodation big enough, and of course organising the trip itself! With Sno and Bansko, all these troubles can be cast out the window. We’ll save you the hassle of booking the trip, whilst the resort ensures there’s something to keep everyone happy! Skiers of different levels will all be kept entertained, whether you’re still on your pizza slices and French fries, zooming down off-piste ski routes under the Mosta lift or even sharpening up some snowboarding tricks in the Funpark. Should any non-skiers be able to resist the temptation to learn how to ski here, there’s some ice-skating, snowmobiling, even paintballing all on offer, and don’t overlook just relaxing in the hotel spa and soaking up the old town’s culture! Whatever it is you’re doing, one of Bansko’s many bars or restaurants provide the perfect place to sit and recount the day’s adventures.
Another important aspect of a group ski holiday is having a great place to stay, and Bansko are far from short on these. Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena provides a stay with all the facilities you could possibly want, and should be big enough to accommodate any last-minute additions to your group. Apartments like the Grand Montana can give a great group feel to the holiday, as well as being a perfect set off point to explore the village. Booking our flights, transfers and accommodation packages gives you best value for money and saves you the most hassle, but if you’re up for the challenge of organising a self-drive or independent travel group trip, our other deals will suit you too.
Which are the best ski holidays in Bansko?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Premier Luxury Mountain Resort | 7 | £ 720 |
| Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena | 7 | £ 955 |
| Aparthotel St George Palace | 7 | £ 475 |
| Apartments Belvedere Holiday Club | 7 | £ 498 |
| Hotel Pirin | 7 | £ 594 |
| Hotel Lion | 7 | £ 617 |
| Hotel St George Ski & Holiday | 7 | £ 676 |
| Hotel Tanne | 7 | £ 678 |
| MPM Hotel Guinness Bansko | 7 | £ 683 |
| Casa Karina | 7 | £ 684 |
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