Location: Bansko
Top Things to do in Bansko
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Bansko, Blagoevgrad Province
Bansko (Bulgarian: Банско) is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 927 m above sea level. It is a popular ski resort.
Restaurants in Bansko
1. TSAKIRIS Ski & Snowboard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 650 reviews
TSAKIRIS Ski & Snowboard Rentals were created in 1990 by a family of champion skiers who have had 8 Olympic participations, gold Balkan victories and more than 500 participations in International and National races. Since 2008 we welcome you in Bansko "Our aim has been to utilize knowledge, desire and love for skiing by always being reliable and showing interest in every single customer of ours separately. The highest reward for us would be our customers' smile. We thank you!" The Tsakiris family
Reviewed By zoeys210 - Manchester, United Kingdom
The service we received at Tsikiris was by far the best of our whole trip. The staff are brilliant and attentive from the first fitting to your departure. The equipment is great quality and the location is handy for the gondola. I would definitely use them again. The escalator in the shop is a dream after a long day and every single member of the team is friendly and helpful. A special thanks to the guys downstairs for helping my son find the perfect boots when he had sore feet and chatted to him every day, he thought they were so cool ????, and Ivo who would walk out of the shop at the end of the day to help me carry the skis back when my son was too tired , what a star! And the ladies at the reception desk you made my sons holiday when he got his medal, thank you x
2. Method Snow School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 117 reviews
The only British run ski and snowboard school in Bansko, Ski and snowboard hire opposite the gondola. Highest qualified international instructors. Ski and snowboard lesson for all levels. Instructor courses, freestyle coaching. Owner former GB olympic team coach and instructor trainer.
Reviewed By liam169 - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Been going to bansko for 9 years and used method for the 1st time this year. The booking went smoothly and when we got there everything was ready for us. Excellent service every day and very helpful My girlfriend had a private lesson and this was the best she every had. She developed massively both in skill and confidence. Only minor downside was the opening time was 8am. Luckily the gondola queue was never too big but open 15min early would mean getting to the gondola for opening Highly recommended snow school will be booking with method again next season Thanks method see you next year
3. Snowflake Ski School and Rental Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Ski and snowboard rental shop „SNOWFLAKE“ is Founded in 2013. 2016 we founded ski and snowboard school „SNOWFLAKE“. We are licensed member of the "Bulgarian Profesional Ski Instructors Department" /BPSID/ and we offer a high level of instruction and training. Our instructors are all experts and all of them are qualified members of the /BPSID/.
Reviewed By DianaT1823 - Central Romania, Romania
Everything was perfect. Since we arrived, George had patience to explain us the details and to decide on ski schedule (we booked 4 days x 3h for our son and 2 days x 2h for me and my husband). We want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Lazar, the instructor who went with our son on the top slopes and who took very good care of him, although our son doesn't speak English. He brought him safe everytime back and he skied very well. And we want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Val, our instructor who passed the test of patience with us (especially with myself) and who made me overcome my fear of skiing and to exceed my own limits! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to you and your helpers (the pink unicorn and the rabbit ????). Good luck to all of you and may you have a great year ahead! Diana, Adi & Edi
4. Bansko Fun Holidays
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Welcome to Bansko Fun Holidays. Ski and snowboard rental, ski school, ski service, ski equipment shop and the only Fitting center in Bansko! Trust professionalism! Bansko Fun Holidays has more than 10 years of experience in the winter toursim. Which only speaks about our accumulated experience in winter tourism! Ski school for champions! Come and enjoy the winter sports!
Reviewed By D8901PG_
The Best ski school in town. Perfect location, excellent ski equipment and professional staff. Recommend!
5. Vihren
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By ceebeebee2017 - Derbyshire, United Kingdom
It is really difficult as a Brit to find out how to safely climb the mountain, the 2nd highest peak in Bulgaria, but where there's a will, you must find a way! You can drive up Pirin Rd out of Bansko, past the National Park centre where I saw a wild tortoise- yes, wild! Drive up and up and up the windy road, following the Vihren hut signs. When you drive through an enormous bus parking, go through it, sweeping round to the far left and continue up again, eventually past Banderista hut on your left. It is worth stopping here for 15mins- walk up the steps on the uphill side of the hut and visit the second oldest tree in Bulgaria- amazing! Then continue, after 10 mins reaching uneven track and Vihren hut, your starting point. There is not much parking there, maybe 20-25 vehicles, but you can turn round to park wherever you can find just below it. The hut here is lovely, with opportunity for refreshments throughout the day. The journey took 35 mins from Bansko. Then, follow the yellow signs to Vihren, following the blue and yellow symbols painted on rocks every few minutes. The way they are painted gives the direction of travel, and little cairns often mark changes in direction- clues I figured en route. Vihren means 'windy mountain' and even though it was 30 degrees in June, we needed an extra layer at the top. Also, at this time of year, the weather can be unpredictable so go prepared for rain and never attempt if thunderstorms are predicted incase you are hit by lightening. Check Accuweather Virhen website the day before. The route up took us just over 4 hrs from the hut; we are 60 yrs of age and I walk VERY slowly uphill, and yes, I drank my litre bladder dry on the way. The terrain is stepped most of the way over natural stones alongside a stream, crossing Boulder falls at times, and through scrub on narrow paths. If in doubt of the correct route, walk no further than 15 mins without seeing the coloured symbols ( some of them are a bit faded). We found there are a few well walked pathways leading up but if they are in the general direction, they are all painted with this symbol to help guide you. The main pathway is slightly wider. There are some larger, steeper slabs of rocks to haul yourself up, but nothing requiring wire ropes and nothing technical or higher than a very large Boulder. I read online accounts beforehand which say this peak is easy and suitable for children. I have lots of mountain walking experience, and I think children need to be 8 or above and confident on rocky, steeper terrain. The views are wonderful as you walk uphill. About 30 mins from the top, the convex slope becomes exposed and extremely rocky, so pick your path wisely and preferably follow a painted symbol path. This is a hard final slog. At the top, there is a tall cairn encased in metal. An amazing view of the Pirin and Rila mountains. By the way, a 1:50,000 Pirin mountains map can be bought from the tiny fronted bookshop about 5 doors up from the central Tourist Information. We followed the red route on the map clockwise from the hut, by far the easiest route. So retrace your steps back down to the hut unless you are a very experienced walker/ scrambler/ mountaineer, mad following it clockwise off the summit towards the Premkata col, requires climbing downhill using wired ropes and down large rocks with vertical drops if you slip! We were warned at the top against doing this by a very experienced Bulgarian, who said he viewed it as more dangerous than Koncheto ridge, which is at least horizontal. He advised only doing this stretch in an upwards direction, so you are pulling yourself up the wires. In the past I have found wearing half fingered mountain biking gloves gives good grip for this and protects hands against any protruding wires. Hope this helps you to confidently give this beautiful mountain a go! It's well worth the effort.
6. Bansko Ski Mania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
We have over 450 pairs of ski and snowboard equipment that are serviced to the best standard. Our ski shop is located near the parking area of Bansko Gondola lift. This saves time in the morning - you can walk from our wardrobe to the Gondola lift. And after you finish your ski or snowboard day, you can leave your equipment with us every night for free.
Reviewed By 827jayneb - Bristol, United Kingdom
As a first time skier I was unsure what to expect. But our hosts at #snomads suggested we book lessons with Ski Mania. We had three, two hour group lessons over our week. Our instructor Dimitri was like a “Jedi” master. He was able to plant the skills and knowledge in my brain! But on a serious note he was quietly spoken and very attentive. He was extremely observant and had a great way of explaining the correct way to ski and correcting any errors. At the end of the three lessons, I am now able to parallel ski and was given the skills and confidence to throughly enjoy my week. Would highly recommend Ski Mania. Thank you Dimitri ⛷????
7. Snow Peaks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
The Snow Peaks ski and snowboard school is located in the town of Bansko, at 1, Nayden Gerov St., adjacent to the second main entrance of the cable car. Snow Peaks has many years of experience in winter sports and it will offer you professional services for: -Ski and snow board equipment -Ski and snow board schooling -Professional ski servicing
Reviewed By 75gerganar
We are very happy with our choice of ski school Snow Peaks and mostly with our ski instructor Dido who was in duty for our 4 years old daughter. He was always on time and was staying with us until the last minute of the lesson (even little more if needed), although my daughter was tired some times. My daughter got a great progress and for only 6 days she was skiing alone along the whole piste doing many turns. I am very satisfied with his attitude towards my daughter, the way he was talking to her and the way he was encouraging her. The most important thing for me is the fact that she still wants to go ski again.
8. Enduro Max Bulgaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Guided Enduro Tours with Newest 2018-2019 KTM enduro bikes around Bansko-Banya-Razlog Valley! Pirin,Rodopy and Rila Mountains routes! Open all year,various difficulties, from very beginners to pros! Various durations of Tours. LICENSE is NOT NEEDED! HQ in Banya Village, hotel Aquilon SPA with thermal water pools. Full Day round Enduro Adventure 8 hours 220 euro including: bike, guide, fuel,riding kit, lunch and thermal SPA relax. We will pick you up from your hotel at 9am, drive to our Base Camp in Banya Village,short breafing, riding gears adjusting and then Adventure Tour starts at 10am. We could also take care about your family members while you are on your Enduro Route -horse riding,fishing or SPA/massages.
9. Ski Bansko
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,030 reviews
Reviewed By shaziaraf - Agadir, Morocco
First time in Bansko and first time skiing. We were a family of five with kids aged 16,13 and 11. We were pleasantly surprised with everything from the gondola queues to slopes and lessons. Booked everything through traventuria, car transfers, ski rentals and lessons. Everything went smoothly from the moment we arrived. We went from complete novices to going on the blue runs comfortably by day 4. We had a 8 min walk from our hotel, Guinness to the rental shop traventuria, then got our stuff from lockers on first floor, we had 2 as could only comfortably fit 2,3 person ski stuff in there( ski helmets,goggles, skies, poles and boots). We then walked with our gear on to gondola took another 15 min ( only actually 5 min walk). Please note not easy carrying 2 sets of skiers esp your kids ones. We normally got to gondola around 8.30 and would get on cable cars within 10-15 min but If you get there for 9 you can look at 30-40 min wait as gets busy fast!! The cable cars takes another 30 mins to get to the slopes. Also leave early before 3 pm to avoid huge queues, we made this mistake on last day!took us 45 min to get on the cable cars We booked 4 hr lessons but mostly were given on average 2 hrs per day by the instructor. Will be returning next year but hopefully will book ski rentals next to gondola to save the hard long walking distance with skies on.
10. BanskoSki
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By japartment
Ulen: We read negative reports about Ulen before we traveled that in our opinion are simply not true. At least not currently. Everyone we encountered was friendly, helpful and smiling. The entire ski area is run by amazing Ulen staff. The Gondola, the ski lifts, the restaurants on the slopes - everything. From the little old Babushka ladies who cleaned the tables and bathrooms (spotless, with lots of toilet paper, hand towels and HOT water) that serve thousands every day, and who grinned back at us with toothless smiles when we said thank you, to the uniformed man who immediately reached out to rescue me as I slipped getting off the Gondola once, every Ulen staff member was there to make sure we had a safe and wonderful ski experience. Ski equipment: In addition Ulen has a ski school and rents equipment like many others. Our travel package included renting our ski equipment from them. Yes, as noted in previous posts the equipment was not new, but we were beginners and it did not matter. Petr, in the equipment room, was, in particular, very helpful. He willingly changed my boots after the first day at my request. He then remembered me from among thousands and greeted me with a big smile every morning and each evening, helping me on and off with my boots. Georgi was also very nice when I returned my equipment the last day. Thank you to all the hard-working Ulen staff for great service with a smile!
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