Ski and snowboard in Bansko
The ski resort of Bansko offers some of the best and cheapest skiing holidays in Europe. The resort is great for beginners and intermediates with a good mix of wide, tree-lined blue and red runs. For more experienced skiers and riders, there is a huge amount of off-piste to explore and a few good black runs.
Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season (mid-December to mid April) of all Bulgarian ski resorts. Following a multi-million Euro investment, Bansko has a state-of-the-art lift network providing access to 65km of groomed pistes, making it the most advanced ski resort in this part of Europe.
Bansko ski area
The ski area in Bansko has ski lift network of 26km covering 14 long pistes. Snowboarders can spend their days Bulgaria's first Burton Terrain Park, complete with half pipe, located near the peak.
At the height of the season, it's possible to ski all the way down to the resort, if your legs can manage it down the 16km run! Snow cannons are put to extensive use on the main slopes to keep them in good condition throughout the busiest parts of the season. Regular night skiing takes place on the last 7km of the slopes, which are fully floodlit for the occasion.
All pistes are accessed by the Bansko gondola lift, located just 150m from the Kandahar block.
For more advanced skiers or boarders, back country trips can be organised by Method Snow School in the Kandahar block, taking in the extensive and mostly untouched off piste areas.
Lift passes and lessons
Lift passes are available from the ticket office in the Gondola station and cost as follows: (prices correct as at Jan 09)
1/2 day - 35 leva (approx £13.50)
1 day - 50 leva (approx £20)
3 day - 145 leva (approx £57)
6 day - 280 leva (approx £110)
The resort is perfect for beginners and the Method Snowschool, based in Kandahar offers lessons for people of all abilities. Method is a team of UK instructors so there is no language barrier. They also offer ski and snowboard hire. For more information, visit their website.