Winter is when the town becomes fully alive. It is one of Bulgaria’s new generation, rapidly expanding ski resorts boasting some 70km of runs. Over the last few years the resort has been rejuvenated with the installation of state of the art lifts and piste maintenance equipment. Snow cover is maintained by the use of snow cannon and the seven kilometer home run from the top of the gondola is floodlit. This run is gentle but attractive, a great finish to a day or a pleasing and enjoyable achievement for a beginner. Our 3.5 year old granddaughter amazed us with learning the basics of skiing in one week and at the end of it skiing all the way back to the apartment exit on a leading rein.
With the highest ski altitude at 2600m and the bottom of the gondola being at 990m, Bansko's longest run is a massive16 km. Cross-country trails, a snow-board fun park and an ice rink add to the fun. For the adventurous skier there are many off-piste possibilities. For more details visit the Bansko ski area site www.banskoski.com .
Our apartment block is approximately 200 m across from the home run (Ski Road). This enables easy access to the run down to the gondola in the morning and allows a relaxed return walk over almost level ground at the end of a day’s skiing. Ski storage will be available in the basement of the apartment block.
The gondola station is one kilometer by road down hill from Mountain Dream. A minibus shuttle service to the gondola runs from the hotel. This bus will also transfer people into the town centre etc on request. These are charged for by the hotel.
The resort is served by several ski schools, some of which have British instructors. As a rule of thumb the cheaper the ski-school price the more likely that the classes will be larger at peak times. Try the Method Snow School www.methodsnowschool.com which is an English Snow School based in Bansko.
Ski equipment can be rented at various locations. We found the Fisher ski shop just round the corner from the gondola in Pirin Street to be very helpful, reasonably priced and efficient.
Young children can be cared for in Bansko. The Blue Kangaroo Creche takes children from 6 months to 8 years of age. They are open 7 days a week from 8.30 to 5.30 and also offer an evening babysitting from 7.30 for up to 4 hours.
There are a number of places to eat and drink on the mountain, some with great rustic charm.
In Bansko, Bulgaria our 4* 2 bedroomed, beautifully appointed apartment sleeps up to 6 adults and a child. Perfect for renting for winter ski holidays and also in the summer vacation when self catering accommodation allows you to fully enjoy the many and varied pursuits that abound in the Pirin mountain area.
