There are two main natural resources, the Relief and the Climate, making the resort of Bansko a unique year-round tourist area in Bulgaria. In winter, the Mediterranean cyclones exert their influence. Warm air masses arrive here in December, which makes for a mild winter. The peculiarities of the relief influence the weather in Bansko. Vihren peak reaches 2900 meters, and in the plains from 600 meters. Local features of the climate are constant. In the area are the Pirin Mountains, part of the Rhodope Mountains, the Razlog Basin, the Mesta River and its creeks. The river, which flows through Bansko and divides the municipality into two parts, does not freeze even in winter. The river Glazne is a rough mountain river. The river itself is stoned because it often breaks its banks in the spring.
Daytime temperatures in the city are stable throughout the winter – -2-3C.However, in the mountains are usually colder, the average temperature ranges from -4-7C, but can reach -15C. Ski season, which begins in mid-December and ends in mid-April, in Bansko is known for the longest season. The resort has the highest snow cover in Bulgaria, up to 2 meters, and there are heavy snowfalls with gusty winds. There are powerful snow cannons at the beginning of the piste if there is no snow at all or little snow. Although the winter here is long, it is very mild and sunny, with abundant snowfalls. Skiing on the slopes is very comfortable because the average temperature does not drop below -4 C. The snowiest week of the year in Bansko is the middle of March. On average 30 cm of snow falls. A lot of precipitation turns mountain slopes into gorgeous slopes, as nature created on purpose for skiing and snowboarding. The amount of precipitation in the peak of winter reaches 75 mm. There are not many sunny days in winter, about 8 days, the rest of the days are covered with clouds.
Here in Bansko live about 8400 people. Of these, 60% of the population are local Bulgarians, 10% Germans, Austrians, 20% Russians, 10% Romanians, Moldovans and Cigan. Most of all I liked the grandmothers, who sit near their houses in the afternoon or in the afternoon, on the benches. This is a special layer of population, these are old people who have lived their whole lives in Bansko. Respect for the elderly is in first place here, old people are respected. When you pass by these people you want to bow and be sure to say DOBR DEN! They respond with a bow in return and the same way they say hello, such a kindness! Men, we can write a lot about this category of people … Men in Bansko and not only in Bulgaria, this is a special caste of people! They are not just men with a capital letter, they are managers, they know how to work and relax, they know how to keep the house clean and tidy. The men in the family Bansko is the head of the whole family, he is the boss, if he is the head of the family, everyone obeys him. Most of the work the men take on their shoulders, the house, the household, machinery, business, where the head of the family is a man, there and in the home and business order. The women living in Bansko, it’s not just smart, beautiful, and able to manage the household. They are beautiful in a special way, they have the right European features, the ability to get along with others. There is harmony in the family and respect for elders and husband. Many women occupy leading positions in Bansko, they are smart and principled in their work. Seeing these fragile creatures and want to admire them! In Bansko, quite a few women who are engaged in business, they are not only beautiful, elegant, but nature has endowed them with even mind m sagacity.V Bansko, in each family by 1-2 children, all children are naturally beautiful and have a good temper and gentleness of character.V Bansko many schools, kindergartens, colleges, technical college.
Bulgarian ski resort Bansko is one of the youngest ski resorts in Eastern Europe. The name of the town of Bansko comes from the old Bulgarian word Ban, which means in Russian – the owner.
Despite its youth, Bansko is developing dynamically enough due to the intensive investment in the development of infrastructure of the resort. Ski resort Bansko enjoys high popularity with skiers from Russia, CIS countries, Greece, and, of course, with the Bulgarians themselves.
Bansko is situated on the southwest of Bulgaria among the Pirin Mountains. Places here are very beautiful, stunning scenery. Winter in Bansko is long and summer is short-lived. Proximity to the capital of Bulgaria, the excellent climate, a stable snow cover during the long “skiing” season make the ski resort of Bansko affordable and attractive to fans of skiing and snowboarding from around the world.
In Bansko will be not only interesting to ski or snowboard, the resort is also interesting with its attractions, museums, it is a beautiful old town.
How to get to the ski resort of Bansko Ski resort Bansko is located 170 kilometers from the Bulgarian capital – Sofia, and about the same distance from another equally famous Bulgarian city – Plovdiv (110 km).
If you’ve arrived in Sofia, then get to Bansko is not a problem. The regular buses from three different bus terminals in Sofia (Central, Western, or Ovcha Kupel) will bring you to your destination in about 2.5-3 hours. You can take a direct or through flight with a stop in Bansko. Buses run from early morning until about 15-17 hours at intervals of half an hour or an hour. Costs this pleasure about 13-14 levs for one skier, well, and the rate to your currency count yourself.
Does not suit the bus? Please! Transfer to 1-3 (car passenger), 4-8 (minivan) pesengers will cost on average about 100 euros.
Ski season in Bansko begins in mid-December and lasts until mid-April next year. Stable two-meter snow cover during this period provides comfortable skiing. Ski slopes, ski elevators, ski passes Bansko ski resort is located at an altitude of 936 meters above sea level. There are 15 groomed slopes of total length of 65 kilometers on the altitudes between 1100 and 2500 meters. Ski trails are served by 24 elevators, 10 of which are for children. During high season on New Year’s Eve be ready for long exhausting queues to the elevators! At this time in Bansko is always very crowded.
The longest slope (Todorka) reaches 2570 meters. There is a park and a halfpipe for snowboarders. The ski resort Bansko has slopes for beginners and snowboarders, as well as for experts (2 black slopes).
The main area of skiing is called Shiligarniki, located 12 kilometers from the town of Bansko. Halfway to Shiligarniki, you can take a skibus to another ski area called Chalin Valog. Fans of freeride also will not get bored, Bansko provides the pleasure of skiing on snowy powder.
Accommodation in Bansko ski resort With accommodation at the resort there are no problems. There are many hotels, apartments of varying levels of service. In addition there is the possibility of settlement in inexpensive guest houses. For example 4 star Hotel Gardenia.
Entertainment at the ski resort Bansko The resort certainly abounds with traditional Bulgarian restaurants (mehana) where you will be treated to delicious national food and wine. Reached the evening and not tired? There are nightclubs at your service, ready to accommodate you until morning. For those who like active rest there is a swimming pool, sauna.
Have fun and casual walks through the narrow winding streets of Bansko. There are many architectural sights of the 18-19 centuries: the church “Holy Trinity”, “Assumption,” the bell tower, the museum Neofit Rilski, Nikola Vaptsarov house-museum. In addition, in the vicinity of Bansko there are a number of cultural and historical sites and monuments. Be sure to visit the ski resort of Bansko!
On January 1, in Bansko starts the Festival of puppets, which is a bright interesting spectacle. Throughout the city there are mummers in fursuits with bells and goat horns on their heads. The festival is dedicated to banishing evil spirits and unity with nature.
The festival of local traditions, where one can get acquainted with the local customs and Bulgarian culture to the fullest extent, opens in the second half of May.
Music lovers can visit Bansko in early August – every year at this time there is a jazz festival, which gathers performers, masters of the genre, from all over the world.
The City Day is celebrated here on October 5. The date coincides with the day when Bansko was liberated from the Ottoman yoke. Thematic exhibitions and events, devoted to the history and life of the city, begin in September and continue for a month. Tourists can take part in a game with valuable prizes called Treasure Hunters. It is a traditional and integral part of the holiday.
You can visit Pirin national park and caves. This protected area is included in the list of UNESCO protected monuments. The park is part of the Pirin Mountain and is located just in the area of its highest peak – Vikhren (2914 m). The Kazana and Bynderitsata Caves (the deepest on the territory of Bulgaria) are situated near the park. To see the Church of the Holy Trinity (the church of Nevrokop diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church). The building from 1835 attracts with luxurious decoration and grandeur. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The stone tower of the church is 30 meters high. The iconostasis is decorated with 8 large icons, painted by the famous Bulgarian painter from the middle of the XIX century – Dimitar Molirov.
To assess the beauty of the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is located in the old cemetery. It is a construction of the XVIII century. It is valuable from an architectural point of view (Bulgarian Revival style). The carved wooden iconostasis that has been preserved since the opening of the church is a must-see.
Swim in the thermal springs. The nearest complex with mineral and thermal pools is Piri. One of them occupies 25 meters, the water in it reaches 29 degrees and the depth is no more than 2 meters. In the second pool – a really hot water from the thermal spring (40 degrees). It is smaller than the first one and is equipped with a children’s slide. Another fairly well-known thermal complex is located near the village of Banya, a few kilometers from Bansko. To try the local cuisine. There are a huge number of restaurants, cafes and nightclubs in Bansko. Do not miss the opportunity to have a delicious meal “the Bulgarian way”. For this you can look at one of the nearby taverns. They are run by locals and cooked according to recipes handed down from generation to generation. Bulgarians are used to hearty and simple meals. It is based on poultry, lamb, cheese, baked vegetables. You will love the cheese puff pastry “Banitsa”, which is considered a national dish. Or “drob sarma” pilaf with lamb. Or chicken with herbs “pire with bilki”. The “sarmi” is also very tasty. – similar to usual stuffed cabbage rolls, only the meat is served in cabbage or grape leaves with yogurt gravy. The festive Bulgarian dish “kapama” looks and tastes even better – meat, vegetables, rice and spices are placed in layers in a clay pot and stewed for several hours.
Bansko is a popular ski resort 160 km from the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia. They come here to rest bright and rich and at the same time not to spend a lot of money. Recently this place was recognized as the most economical ski resort in the world. For those who can not ski, there are professional schools – experienced instructors will teach you how to ski and snowboard within a few days. Besides active rest there is a lot to see here in terms of architecture. The ancient churches and unique beauty park will not leave anyone indifferent. In Bansko there are a lot of night clubs, restaurants and cafes with delicious and hearty Bulgarian food. So, in this cozy town with its narrow streets and charming little houses you just don’t get bored – no matter how old you are 20 or 70. Bansko is one of the resorts of Europe, where the ski season lasts a very long time. The first tourists, who want to go skiing, start coming here at the end of November, and this “snow show” goes on till the end of April. And during the rest of the months in this ancient town you can enjoy the unique architecture and unique landscapes. In Bansko live over 13 thousand people. Besides Bulgarians (over 80%), you can often find here Turks and Gypsies. At the background level are presented Russians, Armenians, Chinese, Greeks, Romanians and Ukrainians. Languages spoken are Bulgarian, Russian, English, German and French. A brief history of Bansko Bansko is a town in southwest Bulgaria. It is situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and claims to be quite ancient. Indeed, archaeological excavations in this area suggest that the first settlements existed in Bansko during the late Roman Empire, that is, in the 500s. Unfortunately, no other evidence of that period in history has not survived. It is known that from the founding until 1912, Bansko was a partially autonomous city within the Ottoman Empire. The special rights of the territory consisted in the fact that all matters were decided here by the Council of Elders, although the judicial power was in the hands of the Turkish judge. The First Balkan War (1912-1913) brought serious changes to Bansko – the city became part of independent Bulgaria.
Service sector and the tourist business was originally the main for this area, where actively built ski slopes, restaurants (mechans), hotels. Natural features of the landscape, of course, only contributed to this. The Pirin Mountains and Todorka Peak are spectacular scenery and a snowy paradise for tourists.
In 2003 there appeared a modern gondola elevator, which allows you to comfortably get to the beginning of the descent. The constant introduction of the latest technology in the industry make Bansko an advanced and popular ski resort. It is no coincidence that stages of the World Cup skiing are held here. European tourists just love these places and call them a snowy paradise. The best time to go to Bansko The ski season in Bansko lasts from December to April. Therefore, skiers prefer to rest here at this time. In winter the average temperature in the mountains usually reaches -18 ° C. Bear in mind that directly at the elevators is always warmer by 4 degrees than in the epicenter of action – at the top of the slopes. Tourists appreciate this place for the fact that during the week you can ride on different snow: rolled, freshly fallen and wet. Thanks to the dynamic changes in the weather, a full range of experiences is guaranteed. Most visitors come here during Christmas and New Year vacations, so many people prefer to come here in the middle of January.
