Bansko has a population of around 10,000 people. Unlike most Bulgarian towns, the modern architecture coexists easily with the old quarters, a maze of cobbled streets lined with timber-framed stone houses, churches, shops and bars (known locally as Mehanas). The old quarters date back hundreds of years.
Surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopi mountains, Bansko is a climatic mountain resort and the town is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
Bansko is the most rapidly developing ski resorts in Bulgaria. 40 million Euros have been invested, to create a top rate facility with the best equipment, including a new gondola, snow guns, electronic ski pass system etc. There are 14 pistes totalling 65km, including a 16 km run plus cross country and excellent off piste skiing. There is a top class ski school for all levels of ability. The ski season is one of the longest; roughly mid December until the end of April.The Ski area is excellent for beginners and intermediates. For snowboarders Bansko has a population of around 10,000 people. Unlike most Bulgarian towns, the modern architecture coexists easily with the old quarters, a maze of cobbled streets lined with timber-framed stone houses, churches, shops and bars (known locally as Mehanas). The old quarters date back hundreds of years.
Surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopi mountains, Bansko is a climatic mountain resort and the town is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
Bansko is the most rapidly developing ski resorts in Bulgaria. 40 million Euros have been invested, to create a top rate facility with the best equipment, including a new gondola, snow guns, electronic ski pass system etc. There are 14 pistes totalling 65km, including a 16 km run plus cross country and excellent off piste skiing. There is a top class ski school for all levels of ability. The ski season is one of the longest; roughly mid December until the end of April.The Ski area is excellent for beginners and intermediates. For snowboarders and the more advanced skiers there is challenging off piste.
Nightlife - Bansko has a great selection of bars and restaurants (called Mehanas) as well as a number of night clubs, ten-pin bowling, casinos, and live entertainment
Excursions - Mineral spas, Rila Monastery, Melnik Winery, Bear park, Mountain train journey to Velingrad
Winter activities - Skiing/Snowboarding with terrain park and half-pipe, night skiing, off-piste, heli-skiing and ski-doo safari (Kids are welcome at the Bansko ski kindergarten where they are taken care of with plenty of fun activities, leaving the grown-ups to take to the slopes)
The picturesque town offers its guests a 16 km uninterrupted ski run, starting from Todorka Peak (2600 metres) all the way down to the base station of the cable car on the outskirts of the town.
Under the snow-capped peak of Mount Vihren, the ski resort of Bansko extends its holiday season into the summer with the help of its well established jazz festival. The objectives at Bansko are to give aspiring Bulgarian musicians a stage alongside German, American and other foreign artists, and to lay out a festival that welcomes, as they say, 'the free people'. The first festival was held in 1998 and Bansko has been winning new friends each year ever since. The format includes events on the main stage in the middle of town and informal jazz cafe sessions and jamming at local hotels and venues. (www.banskojazz.com)
|