Bansko is Bulgaria’s premier ski resort, it has the best snow record and the longest ski season to be found in Bulgaria. The season typically lasts 5 months, from mid December to mid April. This is aided by 44 snow cannons which cover 80% of the slopes, making excellent skiing conditions. Bansko boasts 65km of marked pistes with exceptional off–piste and x-country skiing. The longest ski run is 16km, you can ski or snowboard from the top of Todorka mountain right down to the town. If you fancy skiing by moonlight, you can ski 7km on the lighted slope from Banderishka down to the town from 18.30 – 21.30.

Bansko offers skiing and snowboarding to all abilities, from beginners to the advanced. Instructors speak English and there is a kindergarten for the little ones. Lessons are available in the resort and are very reasonably priced.

Snowboarders are well catered for too, in the brand new Snow Park where you will find 90m x 16m half-pipes, an area to create your own jumps and snow towers. I believe these are unique to Bansko, and can only be described as giant needles coming out of the ground.

For those of you who want something even more daring, you will find Para-skiing, heli-skiing and ski-doos available at the resort.

• Height of the resort: 925m • Highest skiing area: 2600m • Total length of ski runs: 65km • Direction of slopes: North • Highest lift: 2560m • Km of piste : 65km • Longest run: 16km • Cross country trails : 9km • Beginner Slopes: 8 (blue) • Intermediate Slopes 11 (red) • Advanced slopes 1 (black) • Mountain Restaurants : 10 • Lifts: 15 (1 Gondola, 7 high speed chairs, 7 drags) • Night skiing

To find out more about local skiing events, please refer to the Fédération Internationale de Ski website at www.fis-ski.com