Bansko - Modern Skiing and Old Traditions

"I've travelled all around the world in search of beautiful mountain resorts and I can say without any hesitation that Bansko is one of them," Olympic Champion Franz Klammer The All Seasons resort of Bansko is the newest of Bulgaria's big three mountain resorts. The resort is currently subject of huge investment that is rapidly turning the town into a modern international winter sports venue. With a total ski run length of 65 kilometers covering 17 pistes and a ski season that lasts for five months Bansko is the new place to be.
The ski area around the almost unknown before some years small town, called Bansko, is on it's way to become one of the most developed and provided with all utilities ski resorts in Europe. Surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopi mountains, Bansko is a climatic mountain resort and the town is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
Over 500,000 guests visited Bansko during the 2004-2005 ski season and over 200,000 enjoyed the summer time activities of hunting, fishing, walking, mountain biking and sightseeing.
The alpine character of the Pirin Mountains create excellent skiing conditions for all types of skiers and experts can enjoy some of the country's best downhill skiing. Total length of marked ski runs, including ski roads: 65 km Altitude of highest ski run: 2600 m; Altitude of lowest ski run: 990 m Their location allows for multiple skiing combinations by offering descents of varying difficulty and slope.
The resort’s pistes are accessed via speedy gondola located just above the town centre, ensuring queues are minimal. For apr?s-ski relaxation most of our featured high quality accommodation provide extensive leisure facilites, whilst for evenings entertainment, celebrate the traditional way in one of Bansko’s renowned lively mehanas (tavernas). Several late night venues are on hand for nightowls.
With its recent 33 million euro facelift and newly renovated wide, tree-lined ski slopes Bansko gives you the widest available variety of skiing for any age and experience level. About 35% of the ski runs are suitable for beginners, 40% for intermediate, and 25% for advanced. The skiing infrastructure is constantly being renewed to maintain Bansko's lead as a first-class winter resort destination.
Resort attractions are: Night skiing, toboganning, wine tasting and Bulgarian folknight, all available via our Representative; souvenir shops; many traditional tavernas (serving Bansko's renowned regional cuisine), bars, pubs and live music venues in the old town; several discos; bowling, cross country trails; sports stadium. Excursions are also available to the Rila Monastery and Sofia.
No other town offers possibilities for mountain tourism and winter sports and competitions, for congress, eco and country tourism, for alpinism and spa treatment, angling, mountain cycling, summer and winter walking tours in the mountain… And the mountain is rich in crystal clear lakes and natural sites, and offers fascinating routes. This is why thousands of tourists pass through this place to rediscover Bansko and Pirin – two names associated forever with the unique magnetic power of genuine beauty.