During the last decade Bansko turned into one of the most popular
ski-centers in Bulgaria. The town is situated at the foot of the
Pirin Mountain and has unique atmosphere. Its authentic architecture
and culture reflect the majestic mountain spirit and the originality
of the local people.
Till now the conditions for skiing did not differ from those offered
by the other winter resorts in Bulgaria, except the fact that in
Bansko the snow coverage lasts till late spring. This natural factor
ensured to the ski-fans longer skiing season. Despite, the resort
had some inconveniences, since the highest pistes could be reached
only by cars. Some of the big hotels ensured special mini-buses
for their guests, but the rest of the tourists had to find other
individual solution. Now everything has changed.
From this year on the conditions are much better. Bansko offers
conditions for ski-sports which are comparable not only to the leading
Bulgarian ski-resorts but also to the European ski-resorts. The
investors and the local people are very proud of the 8-man Gondola
cable car by Doppelmayer, which connects the town to Banderishka
meadow (1635 m above the sea level). The first station will be in
the southern part of Bansko, above the “Strazite” Hotel.
Its capacity is 2400 people per hour! The Gondola cable car is just
one part of the modern complex, where the skiers will receive everything
needed before diving into the pistes. The newly-build parking lot
is for 500 cars and is constructed according to the European standards.
The ski-wardrobe is equipped with 1200 pairs of new
skies and ski-shoes type “Solomon”, as well as 100 snowboards.
Next to the ski-wardrobe is a workshop for repairing old skies.
For the children and all those who wish are available helmets, whose
usage is already obligatory in Europe.
The price for using the Gondola cable car is 8 BGN in two directions.
In case the tourists want to use all the facilities and pists in
the ski-centre, they have to buy a chip-card at the price of 24
BGN. Their personal data, as well as a photo will be included in
the computer data. The unique access system, presented by SkiData
allows in case of necessity /if the skier is injured or does not
come back in time/, to be determined his position and last lifting
up.
In this way a lot of precious time will be saved, which sometimes
can be fatal. The other advantage of the chip-cards is the prevention
of misuses.
The speed of the cable car is regulated by a computer and depends
on the strength of the wind. At maximum speed the Banderishka meadow
is reached for 18 minutes, at minimum speed – for 28 minutes.
The mid-station is situated in the Chalin Vlog site (1467 m), in
case the weather is too cold the cable car stops there, where the
skiers can use the two pists on Chalin Vlog, which are for experienced
skiers. If the weather permits, the cable car continues to Banderishka
meadow, where is the ski-centre for beginners, medical centre and
Mountain rescue service.
Here tourists can also find two restaurants, which
serve hot and tasty meals and beverages. A newly-constructed ski-kindergarten
will keep the children occupied and give time for their parents
to enjoy the slopes. For the small ski-fans is constructed a baby
drag 200 m long, as well as a winter rotunda type Kinder Carousel.
From Banderishka meadow the tourists can transfer to the 4-man open
lift Doppelmayer with the same capacity – 2400 people per hour.
This lift has a mid-station Kolarski Road, wherefrom goes up to
Todorka peak (2746 m). The second part of the lift is equipped with
helmets, which keep the skiers from the wind and the cold. The old
3-chair lift, connecting Shiligarnika to Todorka peak, is renovated.
The newly-constructed 20 m mobile-path allows for synchronization
of skier-velocity and the chair. The new 4-man open lift from Shiligarnika
to Platoto also works. The lifts cover pistes at the total length
of 56 km with different level of difficulty. From the Todorka peak
go two new easy pistes “Plato-south” and “Plato-north”.
From there on start “Shiligarnik 1” and “Shiligarnik
2”, which are almost the same levels of difficulty. The more
experienced skiers can use the pistes “Banderitsa”, “Balkaniada”
and “Todorka”; they all start from Todorka peak and reach
Shiligarnika, though they also have diversion towards Banderishka
meadow. All those pistes are inner-connected with tow-lifts.
Bansko is among the 100 towns-resorts in the world, which allow
the skiers to go back in the town on their skies.
A special ski-road starts at Todorka peak, goes to Shiligarnika,
Banderishka meadow and then to the first station of the cable car.
It is 12 km long from Todorka peak and 7 km from Banderishka meadow.
The ski-centre has 12 trail grooming machines, which will work during
the night, as well as 26 snow-guns, thanks to which the ski-season
will be prolonged.
The lovers of extreme sports can practice heli-skiing (using a helicopter
to reach impenetrable areas, wherefrom go skiing or snowboarding
on rough snow. Another attraction for them will be the paragliding
(a down-slope skiing by an airplane), which was practiced last year
mainly by Russian skiers.
The fans of toboggan will have separate piste, starting from the
Banderishka meadow. The insomnia victims will be able to practice
night-skiing on the Old piste, which has special lightning installed.
The future plans of the ski-centre owners are to build a special
half-pipe system for snowboarding on Banderishka meadow, as well
as to construct a biathlon platform for 3-4 000 people. Bansko will
soon be able to stand for rounds of European and World Ski Competitions.
The first reservations of local and foreign tour agencies are already
booked. Interest is shown by the English Companies “Nelson”
and “Crystal”, as well as of the Russian and Israeli tour
agencies.
Safety and money
Bansko is safe for foreigners. There they have to pay in cash; exchange
offices are available at major hotels. Credit cards are accepted
at First Investment Bank’s office at Hotel Pirin and some of
the major hotels.
Ski and Snowboard school
Ulen Ski and Snowboard School offers highly-qualified instructors,
who speak different languages. Courses range from beginners to advanced
ski and snowboard. In Bansko there is a Junior Ski Club and Kindergarten
with 3 baby drags, a Wonder Carpets baby track and a winter rotunda
type Kinder Carousel.
Ski Competitions
Some of the most popular ski and snowboard competitions organized
in Bansko include the Extreme Ski and Snowboard Competition, “Pirin”
and Balkan Ski Cup Competition.
Ski centre:
Altitude of highest ski run: 2 560 m
Altitude of lowest ski run: 1 000 m
Ski lifts:
Total length – 22 km
Seats – 10 km; Drags – 6 km
Cabin – 6 km
Ski Pistes:
Beginners – 35 %
Intermediate – 40 %
Advanced – 25 %
Snow cannons – 80 %
Top ten reasons to choose Bansko:
1. Comfortable hotels and modern facilities
2. A ski run for any expertise level
3. Great value for money
4. Historical and Architectural Heritage
5. Probably the best skiing in Bulgaria
6. Excellent apres skies
7. Boarders love it
8. Ease of access
9. Magnificent scenery
10. Long ski season
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