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Bansko resort snow
Lat Long: 41.78° N 23.44° E
Ski Bulgaria

Bansko Resort Reviews

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Issued: 8 pm 05 May 2026 (local time)

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Visitor reviews for Bansko Ski Resort

Bansko Ratings

Overall: 3.6. Based on 220 votes and 362 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 3.9

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Bansko is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 3.9

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Bansko has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.5

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.1

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 3.5

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Bansko

Public Transport: 3.5

  • There are no buses or taxis to Bansko
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 4.5

  • No places to stay in/near Bansko
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 4.2

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 4.2

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Bansko

Ski in/Ski out: 3.5

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 3.4

  • There are no child care facilities at Bansko
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 4.2

  • Bansko relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 3.9

  • There are no snow groomers at Bansko
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Bansko are groomed daily

Shelter: 3.8

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Bansko is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 2.6

  • If snow conditions are poor at Bansko, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.2

  • Bansko usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 3.3

  • The staff at Bansko are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Bansko are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 2.7

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 4.1

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.3

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 3.9

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 4.1

  • No intermediate terrain at Bansko
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 3.6

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 2.7

  • Not even a kicker at Bansko
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 3.1

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Bansko
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 2.0

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Bansko has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 3.4

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 4.2

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 4.1

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 3.5

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.6

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.4

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 3.4

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 3.7

  • Overall, Bansko is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 3.9

  • Overall, Bansko is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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January 25, 2011
Roy from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Not a review because I haven't been yet but can anybody tell me if you can buy insurance along with your lift pass as in the Alps? (Carte neige etc.) [note from the editor: this post will stay in place for a short time]
January 24, 2011
Steve Donaldson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Too expensive at Bansko? You must be joking! Couple of examples - we had starter and main course for 6: 6 beers, 2ltrs of wine for £70. Starter: huge pizzas and beer for 6 cost £40. Beer ranged from 2 lev to 5 lev max for a pint i.e. £1 - £2. We went at Xmas - snow not that great but value for money on social side more than happy with. I was paying for 6!
January 19, 2011
@Jayne from Ski S. Africa S. Africa
Hi Jayne, Yes, there are restaurants up on the mountain close to the ski lifts but they are not really that good compared to the rest of the food in the town. Easy to get there with just walking boots. My boyfriend and I even went up the chair lifts to the top peak to take some photos with just shoes on - came back down on the chairlift too. Hope that helps :)
January 18, 2011
Jayne from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Going to Bansko early Feb. Not going for the skiing, although that's not to say we won't try it. What I'd like to know is, should we not want to ski, are there any restaurants/bars close to the ski lifts. Would love to go up into the mountains and sit and watch the world go by up there, but we wouldn't be kitted-out with skis or anything. Just plain old walking boots. [note from the editor: this text will remain in place for a response to be made]
January 18, 2011
DIMITRIS PARISHS from Ski Greece Greece
Bansko started his history like a winter resort with the best impressions. But year by year, cause the ultracommercialisation and the insufficiant service education of people working there, it became a resort with a very bad value for money. In comparrison with the bad quality offering, the resort is very expensive. The Mehanas (traditional restaurants) offer good food in very high prices, not far from the rest of Europe, a portion of meat without rice or vegetable cost about 25lv=13euros - you have to add salad, bread, potatoes. The pubs charge the food about the same prices. The hotels maby seems good priced (in high season about 100euros/p.night for 4 stars) but nothing work like it have: cold rooms, cold swimming pool, bad service, bad food., a very few are the exeption. The price for drinks is reasonnable. very often and when there is not snow, they charge the entance by car to the top of the mountain, cause the gondola is not so busy. The snacks in the streets are also expensive. A lot of people, especially from UK found Bansko good value for money but with a better view and for what you buy, the prices are not far from others European winter resorts.
January 16, 2011
reni from Ski Bulgaria Bulgaria
I live in Bansko and I can assure all of you that we have enough snow for fun. Well, this is the year with less snow from all I remember, but the snow guns make it and it's normal. The forecast is positive for snow until the end of January but it's the Guy above :) who can decide it. As for the queues-yes, they were huge a week ago,,but the ruling company have prepared 10 buses to help get the tourists to the slopes, together with the gondola. The longest queues are in the period of the UK midterm holidays. And I think that the skiing and snowboarding after that are worth waiting for. I am a practicing ski and snowboard instructor (not working for Ulen) and it is really good to have feedback from our clients! Thank you for the good words for my town! We're waiting for you again and working to make things better! P.S. If you need lessons, please don't hesitate to contact me on skype: ra_todorovi , (just type: ski&snowboard lessons in the request)
January 16, 2011
Ian Hatcher from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Having just returned from Bansko, I'm afraid to inform you that snow is in short supply, the resort is green and the upper slopes either shut or becoming treacherous. Upon date of departure (5/1/2011) 16 lifts were operational, the Plato having being closed all week, with slopes above Mosta, fast becoming rocky outcrops with the ocassional tree stump to navigate around. Snow cannons supply sufficient powder to ski lower slopes, sadly these prove to be overcrowded and icy. Sorry for disappointing news, but resort desperately requires snow, otherwise access to runs will become increasingly limited and problematic to ski. All said and done, gotta say, having travelled with my family, still had a great time, but never felt the urge to be first upon the slopes or last off. Resort offers excellent value for money, with plenty to see, do and drink... Fingers crossed that you get the snow you need. All the best !
January 12, 2011
Sandra from Ski S. Africa S. Africa
I totally agree with another reviewer. I am in Bansko at the moment with my boyfriend. We came out here for a cheap skiing holiday. Growing up I skied the Alps (Zermatt, Verbier, and the like). Having not skied for about 10 years then about 5 I wanted to have a few lessons. My boyfriend also hasn't skied since he was young so he also wanted lessons. We paid 590 EUR pp for 2 weeks for accommodation + breakfast, ski equipment hire, 12 days tuition, lift pass, transfer from the airport. It is like paying for a 2 star hotel and expecting to get a 5 star one. Bulgaria is not the Alps and as long as you know that before you arrive you will not be disappointed. We are having a fantastic time so far. The slopes are a little icy in areas because of the warm temperatures and the snow is being made by the snow cannons as it has not snowed in a while. You do need strong legs though through some of the icier patches. I find the town a little smokey at night because of all the wood burning fires and our hotel is a little warm (they have this central heating that can't be turned off inside the room) which is a little annoying because it is like a sauna in the room and if you open the door it smells like an ashtray. The hotel also has dry walling between the rooms so it is cheap but noisy which is not so much fun when kids run up and down the stairs. All in all, we did not expect luxury and it has reignited our love of skiing. When we do get a little better perhaps we will alternate between a good resort and Bansko. The food here is amazing. As a fussy eater I have never been so happy with the quality of food!!! So come and enjoy but don't expect too much.
January 07, 2011
Dylan from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Hi, I’m going to Bansko to ski in the first week of Feb 2011 - can anyone help me by providing information if theirs snow in Banks at the moment ? And if they’re expecting snow over the next couple of weeks ? Cheers Dylan
January 05, 2011
Giorgos from Ski Greece Greece
Bansko? Great slopes, a lot of snow, very good equipment and general infrastructure, perfect food, great hotels...in an few words an "Austrian" oasis in the Balkans, but with much more competitive prices. We have just spent excellent New Year vacations there. Almost the same applies for Borovec, but there the hotel capacity is not that good. Last, but not least; in Bansko it snowed the last day (2/1/2011) we were there, but no problem: the artificial snow was enough and excellent.