Ski Resort & Old Town

Bansko ski resort is the best winter resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs and the richest cultural history. The town of Bansko is situated at the foot of the Pirin mountain in the south-western Bulgaria, 160 km from Sofia.

The Pirin mountain is an Alpine type mountain, with its highest peak – Vihren (2914 m). The town of Bansko is located 925 m above the sea level, whereas its ski area – at an altitude of 2000 – 2600 m.

Bansko ski resort is attractive in all seasons. It provides excellent ski and snowboard facilities, as well as a unique history and architecture of an old and new part of the town – with both modern and luxurious hotels and holiday villages, and authentic, rustic old houses and inns that bear the spirit of centuries of history and traditions. Thanks to these features Bansko is not only a favorite ski and snowboard destination, but also a cultural, historical, architectural and ethnographic destination for tourists and filmmakers.

During the recent years, a multi-million Euro investments in a brand new skiing area has been made by a local corporation that runs the skiing area of Bansko. Numerous brand new luxury hotels and facilities in the area of the Gondola lift station have been constructed.

The ski slopes of Bansko resort are located on the northern slopes of the Pirin mountain in 2 main ski centers: CHALIN VALOG (1100-1600 m) and SHILIGARNIKA (1700-2500 m).

The ski centers are situated about 10 km above the town. They are easily accessible from Bansko in approximately 25 minutes via the Gondola lift. The total length of the marked pistes is 70 km.

The snow conditions in the resort are excellent. The snow cover remains from December till April. The ski season lasts longer thanks to the 44 snow cannons that cover most of the slopes. There are 12 slope maintenance vehicles as well.

For the snowboarders there is an extreme fun park – the first one on the Balkans. The snowboarders can build jumps according to their abilities and taste. Snow sport lovers can take part in different competitions organized on the new piste on Shiligarnika.

The total length of the lift equipment in Bansko is 26 km. 8-seats Gondola cabin lift and 5 high speed quads, one 3-seat lift, 7 drags and 10 baby drags operate in Bansko.

The ski centres of Bansko offer ski runs for all type of skiers, a 5 km cross-country track, a 3 km Rollbahn ski run, slalom and giant slalom ski runs, etc.