Bansko is among the cheapest European winter destinations

Photo: Veneta Nikolova

Many people don’t take the resort of Bansko for a synonym of a sustainable development of tourism due to the uncontrolled overdevelopment via the construction of hotels and villa settlements that almost ruined the entire image of this picturesque spot. However, others think that the small town is precious mainly with its opportunities for winter sports and 24/7 entertainment at the local clubs, casinos and bars. 

The fact that nearly 80 percent of these hotels’ capacity was used over the holidays proved the spot’s attractiveness. Locals rely on attractive tourist packages after New Year and also on the international ski competitions that traditionally bring in many guests from this country and abroad.

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

Bansko was famous with its picturesque historical central part a few years ago, when romantic souls could enjoy in privacy the preserved architecture of the Renaissance houses, the cozy local taverns and the narrow paved streets. Today this part of the town is squeezed by hotels, restaurants, casinos, retail shops and clubs – the result of the construction boom that took place a few years ago. The ski zone of the town looks like a giant anthill with skiers, wandering around the mountain. Despite all this the place hasn’t lost its charm of a resort with own style and atmosphere. However, today its main customers are foreign skiers and devoted party fans, who simply wouldn’t stop exploring the constantly increasing number of clubs and bars around. The ECC-Net /European Consumer Centres/ has recently ranked Bansko as the cheapest and most preferred tourist destination for advanced skiers. The TripAdvisor website has concluded the same thing, announcing that the cheapest destinations for ski tourism are Bulgaria and Italy, placing Bansko first among 34 European ski resorts. According to TripAdvisor’s editors one day and one night in this Pirin town cost some GBP 108 or around EUR 126. However, we think that one can spend far less money, if he or she does a proper online research and finds an attractive offer with an earlier booking.

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

Of course, the snowy slopes are the resort’s main advantage. One can use the cable car ski lift, the chair ones /5/ and the 9 tow lifts, keeping in mind the long queues during the peak of the season. This year’s season was unveiled by skiing stars Hermann Maier and Marc Girardelli. The latter has become Bansko’s brand ambassador for a long time. Now local entrepreneurs cross their fingers for the snow to stay thick enough till end-March. The 280 snow cannons installed are also to hold the situation.

© Photo: Veneta Nikolova

“We have welcomed guests from Great Britain, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Germany and Denmark for years,” says Mr. Ivan Obreikov, marketing director of Bansko’s ski center. “I myself have met journalists from all over the globe, including New Zealand and Australia in the period of the international contests. So, many know about Bansko now. We have very good slopes, but some people prefer to ski outside those – this sport has its fans too from across the world. However, we do not recommend such activities due to the danger of avalanches, despite the anti-avalanche cannons installed.”

Bansko has over 200 taverns that compete in the offering of tasty homemade meals and shiny wine. The amateur folk formations from the town itself and the villages nearby contribute to the good mood of the guests. Night clubs, piano bars, casinos, bingo halls – there is enough entertainment for every taste here. The slopes expect their skiers in the next day. Locals protested during the festive days, demanding additional slopes and ski facilities to be constructed. However, this can seriously harm the environmental balance of the region, which is a part of the Natura 2000 network. We all wait for the final of the saga.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev

Radio Bulgaria

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