Winter inspires dreams of snowy mountainsides and the possibility of skiing. On the eve of the most magical holiday, a trip to another country to one of the resorts will be most welcome. You just need to decide on the route. Why not book a tour to Bansko? Bulgaria's ski resort attracts many tourists - both experienced skiers and those who are just starting their friendship with this sport.
Where is Bansko
The resort, attracting many guests, is located near the Bulgarian capital. 160 km separates it from Sofia and 110 km from Plovdiv. And just 250 km are the popular Greek resorts, considered the highlight of the Aegean.
But they appreciate him not for being close to civilization, but for his amazing location. It is located at the foot of Pirin Mountain on the northeast side. This mountain range is known to many thanks to the Vihren peak, whose height is almost 3000 meters. And tourists are attracted here not only by convenient slopes and comfortable lifts, but also by the Pirinsky Reserve. Unesco even ignored it and took it under protection.
Climate and season features
Excellent conditions for recreation are offered by the ski resort of Bansko (Bulgaria). The reviews of those who have been there are full of words of admiration for the picturesque landscapes and the weather. The fact is that on three sides this city is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. Therefore, there are practically no cold winds that interfere with skiing from the mountains. But the resort is always sunny, and the temperature on the plains very rarely drops below -3 degrees. In the mountains, it can reach -15.
About Bansko they say that here is the longest winter and the shortest summer. This affects the season. The ski resort of Bansko welcomes those wishing to ski from the mountainside from mid-December to mid-April. Snow cover here reaches two meters. And when the snow begins to melt, special guns come to the rescue, helping to extend the season.
How to get to the famous resort
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights. But due to the fact that the ski resort of Bansko is located in close proximity to major cities of the country, it will not be difficult to get to it.
Regular buses run from Sofia and Plovdiv. Travel time can be 3-4 hours. If you take a taxi, the trip will be faster. You can get to the resort in 2 hours.
Large recreation areas
Not just one, but several places at once are offered for a comfortable stay by the ski resort of Bansko (Bulgaria). Reviews of tourists recommend visiting:
- Chalin Valog. One of the low areas where it will be comfortable for those who are just learning to ski, and those who have already mastered this art.
- Banderishka Polyana. A place where excellent conditions for cross-country skiing are created. You can also do biathlon here.
- Shiligarnik. The highest area, which is conveniently located near the top of Todorin Vrakh. There are many tracks on which constant slalom competitions are held.
Let's talk about the tracks
Many tourists choose Bansko - a ski resort, reviews of which claim to be one of the best in Europe. A variety of tracks helped him to gain such a reputation. The length of the longest of them is 16 km.
Ski resort Bansko (Bulgaria) offers its guests:
- 5 blue slopes that will appeal to beginner skiers.
- 9 red slopes for those who are already confidently skiing.
- 2 black slopes that will be appreciated by virtuosos of skiing.
Choose a place of rest
To make you comfortable, you need to choose a resort whose tracks will correspond to your training.
So, if you are just mastering the basics of skiing art, it is better to give preference to such routes as:
- Shiligarnik.
- Plateau.
- Ski road.
- Bansko
For those who want more coolness and adrenaline, they’ll work:
- Balkanida.
- Stara Pista.
- Chalin Valog.
- Todorka.
But the masters, real experts of this sport will pay tribute to such routes as:
- Banderitsa.
- Tsirna grave.
Lifts in Bansko
The developed infrastructure and the convenience of equipped tracks attract both Russians and Europeans. The ski resort of Bansko (Bulgaria) has as many as 26 lifts.
- First of all, I want to note the gondola-type cableway along the Bansko-Banderishka route. It is designed for 8 passengers.
- 8 chairlifts equipped with removable cabins. 5 of them are 4-seater, the rest are 3-seater.
- 17 drag lifts.
In addition, there is also a halfpipe where you can make jumps and perform various tricks. Snowboarders will not be left idle either. A park has been created especially for them, and equipment can be rented.
In addition, the resort offers a test of strength in biathlon, you can also visit the gym and pool.
Features of children's leisure
If you have chosen the ski resort of Bansko (Bulgaria), bring your children with you. Little travelers will not be deprived of attention. Especially for them there are lifts. And at the station Banderishka Polyana there is even a ski kindergarten. There you can take the child if he is already over 4 years old. Also in this recreation area are the best attractions for children: moving paths, ski carousels.
Ski resort Bansko: hotels
Problems with the choice of temporary residence you should not have. 306 hotels open their doors for guests of Bansko.
They are presented here with a variety of variations and the level of service. Do not look at the number of stars, service is almost everywhere on top.
Where to stay?
- You can choose both modest hotels with a minimum number of services, and luxury hotel complexes.
- At your service apart-hotels having huge apartments and representing mini-apartments.
- If you want peace and privacy, you can choose boutique hotels. They have an interesting design and a small number of rooms.
- Those who come here not only to ski, but also to improve their health, can safely choose SPA hotels. There are a lot of them in Bansko.
- You can stay in a guesthouse and not think about food-related issues.
Whatever you choose, the ski resort of Bansko will not disappoint you.
What to do on vacation?
If you do not like to spend your evenings alone, the diverse Apres-Ski is at your service. You can go to a disco or one of the many taverns. Particularly popular not only with local residents, but also with tourists is Dedo Pene. There you can taste not only amazingly delicious Bulgarian wine, but also dishes such as “Bansky the Elder”, “Sujuk”, “Kalama”. You will definitely enjoy it.
Or you can visit the thermal pools. After all, Bansko is also a balneological resort. Underground mineral waters have healing properties. The temperature of some of them can reach +42 degrees.
Exploring the sights
The ski resort of Bansko is also considered one of the most beautiful historical towns. Those who prefer cognitive tourism will find a lot of interesting things here.
- To admire the remains of ancient fortresses, you can make a trip to Staroto Gradishche or to Ülen.
- In the nearby Melnik there are sand pyramids, which also deserve attention. The best Bulgarian wines are also sold there.
- In Bansko you can visit the Church of the Holy Trinity. You will not be indifferent to its decoration. Icons, murals, wood carvings are admired by masters of the past. And very close to the bell tower. Two buildings create a single harmonious ensemble.
- The Church of the Holy Assumption is not inferior in beauty and grandeur. Many tourists visit it to admire the carved iconostasis. The spectacle is truly mesmerizing. And the building itself is a vivid evidence of the architecture of the period of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
- Poetry lovers will certainly be interested in the house-museum of Nikola Vaptsarov. This is the only Bulgarian poet who managed to get the International Peace Prize. 3 times the house underwent reconstruction, but it clearly preserved the flavor of the past. The museum has 3 rooms: 2 of them acquaint with the biography of the poet, and one is represented by a video room.
- Pirin National Park will charm you with its unique caves. Be sure to visit Binderitsatu and Kazan. After all, they are considered the deepest in Bulgaria. Traveling through them is exciting and exciting.
Do not deny yourself the opportunity to relax and ski. Indeed, for this there is a ski resort Bansko (Bulgaria). The prices for the permit are very reasonable. For the rest of one person during the week you are invited to pay about 19 thousand rubles. This amount includes flight and transfer to the hotel, medical insurance, accommodation and meals (free breakfast). Not so much cost, if you imagine how much entertainment awaits you at the resort.