Bulgarian winter ski resort Bansko was chosen to be one of the hosts of the "Burton Amateur Tour"— a series of freestyle snowboard competitions held in Europe. Finally, Bansko is being valued as one of the best winter resorts, in a class with such top resorts as Meierhofen (Austria), Hemsedal (Norway) and Zermatt (Switzerland), which are also among the hosts of the competition. In fact, only two resorts in all of Europe were granted the privilege to hold a round of the prestigious championship on its territory— Croatian Platak and Bulgarian Bansko. But how did Bansko become one of the most elite and sought out resorts in Europe?
Bulgaria's Mountain Terrain
Bulgaria is well-known for its great variety of tourism opportunities, but skiing is one of the oldest tourist attractions because of the many mountains with suitable terrain and favorable climate conditions for at least four or five months out of the year. Bulgaria, with its territory of 364,173 square miles, is situated in southeastern Europe. In the core of the Balkan peninsular and situated on both sides of the Old Mountain range, this country has an extremely diverse landscape—about 30 percent of the land is stony soil, 40 percent is hilly areas with heights from 656 to 1969 feet, and 30 percent is plains.
The vast low-land region, Danube Plain, is situated to the north. To the south sits the Old Mountain region. It consists of Fore-Balkan, famous for its numerous caves, odd-shaped rocks and Old Mountain. Between the crests of Old Mountain and the Mid-Forest is the Rose Valley, famous for the production of rose oil. To the south extends the Upper Thracian Plain. Rila Mountain is in the most southern part of the country. It is very popular with the highest peaks in Musala (9,596 miles high) and Rhodope Mountain. Both mountains are widely known for their alpine terrain, high-mountain lakes and various climate conditions in which temperatures can vary from 14 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people are familiar with Bulgaria's natural mineral water springs—over 600 springs and 370 drills—with temperatures ranging from 46 to 214 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite its small territory, Bulgaria's diversity in terrain offers a great variety of tourist sites.
Beaches, Mineral Springs and Ski Slopes
During the summer, the Black Sea coast to the east, approximately 235 miles long, offers over 70 beaches of different sizes and more than 30 vacation sites and resorts. Their main advantage is the favorable temperatures of air and water, especially during July, August and even into September. The sea water is low-salt and there are no flora or fauna dangerous to humans. The seaside is quite attractive because of the mineral springs and curative mud, as well as numerous sights to see.
The main tourist attractions for most of the year, however, are the mountains and, in particular, skiing. There are more than 60 resorts, with some of them situated in the popular ski centers—Botovetz, Pamporovo, Vitosha and Bansko.
If you choose one of these places for your winter vacation, it is best to arrive in Bulgaria with a preliminary reservation for accommodations. This is the cheapest and most convenient way. In recent years, many small, modern and well-functioning hotels have opened all over the country. The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, offers excellent accommodations—from the five-star Hilton, Sheraton, Kempinski and Radisson SAS to private hotels and fully furnished apartments for rent.
If you travel by plane, Sofia will likely be the first place in Bulgaria you will see, although you can take a direct flight to Varna, the sea capital of Bulgaria. If you travel by car, parking in big cities, especially in Sofia, is a huge problem. Therefore, it is better to go straight to Bansko, where the white snowy slopes await you.
Enjoy Bansko
Bansko is a small town situated at the foot of Pirin Mountain in the southwestern part of the country at an altitude of 3,035 feet. Bansko is 2 to 3 hours away from the capital, depending on the kind of transportation you choose. Along with beautiful scenery, suitable climate conditions, long-term snow retention and new skiing utilities, Bansko possesses a rich history. The town was established in about the 9th or 10th century on the ruins of an ancient Thracian settlement. The name Bansko was used in the 17th century to refer to the large, wealthy settlement with highly-developed crafts and trade, as well as a center of rich art and culture. In the town one can see luxurious, well-preserved and restored stone houses and unique church monuments.
Despite its medieval atmosphere, Bansko isn't archaic; it is a very modern town. After 2003, the total investment in skiing utilities reached 30 million euros (over $35 million); 22 lifts and 17 ski-slopes totaling 40 miles long were built and many artificial snow machines were purchased.
During the first six months of last year Bansko was visited by over 2.7 million tourists, who spent over 700 million euros (over $800 million). It is no big surprise, as the card for visiting skiing utilities costs 140 euros ($170) per week—a laughably low price for many Western tourists compared to an average monthly salary or two pensions for retired Bulgarians.
After the pleasantly exhausting ski experience, peaceful atmosphere and coziness, you can lounge in one of about a hundred taverns. Folk music, selected dishes and beverages, as well as typical Bulgarian cuisine, are a joy not only for foreigners. But the biggest surprise is the bill—drinks, meals and the pleasure of the whole evening cost no more than would a soup at an Alps resort. A main dish costs not more than 2–3 euros ($3), while a bottle of wine starts from 3 euros. A daily card for skiing utilities costs 25 euros ($30), ski equipment per days costs 15 euros ($18) or 75 euros ($90) per week. If you have already calculated and made up your mind to rest in Bansko, get your luggage packed and go.
And There's More…
If you prefer something "more difficult," and more serene, Pamporovo can surely provide you with unforgettable moments on its long slopes. The "pearl of the Bulgarian resorts," as people often call this place, Pamporovo is situated in the heart of Rhodope Mountain, 162 miles away from Sofia. One day at the slopes is enough to get a marvelous facial suntan, as it is one of the sunniest resorts in Bulgaria with over 240 sunny days a year.
Pamporovo is the biggest ski resort in the country, with each slope 11 miles long. The slopes start at the TV broadcasting tower which is 512 miles high, and located on Snow Beauty Peak with a 6319-mile altitude and surrounded by aged pine trees. The resort is a genuine paradise for skiers and snowboarders who can enjoy it from the end of November until the end of April. The snow cover is often more than 6.5 feet deep.
If you like taking breaks, you can get your suntan at some of the open-air cafes along the slopes or in the panorama bar on Snow Beauty Peak, where the whole resort is clearly visible. You can swim in one of the dozens of swimming pools filled with mineral water or relax during a massage in the modern spa centers.
One thing is for sure: whatever you choose to do during your vacation, you will enjoy it one hundred percent. Bulgaria is a country in which new and old traditions combine, making for a brand new world. Numerous picturesque landscapes reveal the secrets of the past. Once you discover the limitless green forests, near unreachable mountain hills and the fresh scent of the mountain flowers, feel the sunny beams of the mountain peaks in the winter and experience the chalets at the bases the slopes, you will never forget this marvel of nature. Experience it once and you will surely return again and again to this place where the beauty and the virtues of nature live in perfect harmony. And, of course, you will always be welcome.