How to Ski in Bansko, Bulgaria

When people think of skiing in Europe, they typically think about skiing the Alps in Switzerland or Italy. Bansko, Bulgaria, however, is fast becoming one of the most popular ski resorts in Europe. It has excellent snow conditions, exciting nightlife and many amenities. If you want to avoid the insanity at some of the larger Alpine ski resorts in other parts of Europe, Bansko is a destination that is definitely worth considering.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Ski equipment
• Ski insurance

Ski in Bansko, Bulgaria

1. Assess your accommodation needs. There is a wide range of lodging types in Bansko, so you'll want to narrow your search. There are several excellent hotels in the area, or you could even choose to rent an apartment during your stay.
2. Start looking for accommodations early. Bulgaria attracts fewer tourists than neighboring countries, so you may find it slightly more difficult to find quality accommodations. Bulgaria Ski is a good website to compare lodging and to research ski packages (see Resources below).
3. Book your stay in one of Bansko's intimate, family-owned hotels. These are a great alternative to the large resort hotels that dominate many ski areas, because they are cozy and often cost less.
4. Treat yourself to some luxury. If an intimate family hotel is not your ideal, try one of the four- and five-star luxury hotels Bansko has to offer. Bansko is Bulgaria's top ski resort, and you'll find some of the finest hotels in the country here.
5. Book an extended stay. Bansko's ski season is the longest in the area. The mountain usually opens in mid-December and stays open through May.
6. Fly into Sofia, Bulgaria, then drive or take a train to Bansko. It's only about 100 miles from Sofia to the resort.
7. Take a lesson. Being Bulgaria's top ski resort, there is no shortage of qualified ski instructors here to teach beginners the moves they'll need to get down those runs safely.
8. Check for weather forecasts and current, up-to-date weather conditions online at the Bulgaria Ski website.
9. Enjoy the town of Bansko after a long day on the mountain. The town has fine restaurants, good shopping and quality nightlife.

Tips & Warnings

• Book your accommodations online. This is usually the best way to get lower prices and a wider selection of lodgings.
• Ski insurance is highly advised when traveling to and skiing in Bulgaria. Make sure you have enough coverage before travel begins.