Top Ski Destinations: Bansko - Bulgaria

Posted by Jude Buttle on Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Bansko is Bulgaria's most modern ski resort and right up there with the best in Europe. But is this famous destination a little too serene for the hardcore ski aficiendos?

Fast Facts

Location: Bansko, Bulgaria

Resort Altitude: 925m

Kilometres of Piste: 70kms

Number of Lifts: 12

Lift Fees: € 15-25

Pistes Open: December to May

Après Ski: Swimming pools, Thermal springs, Taverns & Pubs.

The Skiing

Bansko is Bulgaria's most modern ski resort, having the best and most up-to-date ski centre in the country. Recently the company Yulen - which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort - made a multi-million Euro investment to enhance the skiing facilities, including a new eight-seated Gondola.

Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season (15 December - 15 May) in Bulgaria and the resort is particularly well suited to beginners and intermediates. The slopes of Todorin Vruh are the best spot for novices, with gentle slopes and long runs from the chair lift. There is also a ski and snowboard school, offering good tuition for both adults and children.

The ski pistes are located in two main centres: Chalin Valog (1100-1600 metres) and Shiligarnika (1700-2500 metres). They are approximately 10 kilometres above the town on the northern slopes of Pirin and are easily accessible on the new Gondola lift. The total length of the marked pistes is 70 kilometres.

Slalom and Giant slalom runs are available and snowboard lovers will enjoy the fun park and the half pipe that will cause them an enormous adrenaline rush, whilst showing off their latest tricks in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Huge monitors showing images from the different pistes are located at the starting station of the gondola, allowing skiers more information of the wind and temperature conditions before climbing up on the slope.

Off Piste

The town of Bansko is located at the foothills of the Pirin Mountain, positioned near the river Glazane. Only 160 kilometres away from the capital city, Sofia, Bansko's name derives from the ancient Bulgarian word "ban," which means "master."

Bansko is a charming and historic town, a unique mixture of old traditions and modern style, where new-built hotels and apartment houses are separated from more than 100 years old ethnographic houses by just a tiny, stone-paved street.

The town centre is a listed World Heritage Site and the home of the Holy Trinity Church and the Bell Tower, which has been keeping accurate time for 150 years.

Après-ski in Bansko is not as wild as Bulgaria's other popular ski resorts of Borovets and Pamporovo. The town takes its tone from the quiet locals, who prefer to unwind in the large selection of low-ceilinged taverns (called "Mehana") and pubs, listening to live folk music in front of a roaring wood fire.

There are some low-key discotheques offering dancing, also frequented by the local youth who have a rather, rowdy reputation.

South of Bansko is situated the National Park Pirin included in the UNESCO list for cultural and natural sightseeing. The park is rich with its lakes, waterfalls, caves and historical sites.

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Available Properties

A good sized one bedroom apartment situated on the ground floor of a lovely new building finished in 2006. The property comes fully furnished and has an additional ski room in the basement.

 

The location offers great rental potential as it is situated close to the Bansko ski resort, which is open all year round, with skiing in the winter and golf in the summer, making the area ideal for rentals. Purchase price £28,330.  

This magnificent three bedroom house is located only five kilometres from the Bansko ski resort, the most modern ski resort in Bulgaria.

 

The house has recently been restored in traditional Bulgarian style and comprises a spacious living room, fitted kitchen, modern bathroom and a large balcony with stunning views of the surrounding area. Purchase price £109,630.

 

Find Ski Property in Bansko or property for sale in Bulgaria

Photos by NachoMC

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