Welcome, Snowboarders!
Listen up, snowboarders! Are you tired of never finding specific information on snowboarding conditions in ski resorts? We’ve got you covered! Here’s an honest account from one snowboarder to another on what the snowboarding experience in Bansko is really like…
Once you’re ready to have fun, the Bansko gondola will take you up to the main area where you’ll find modern chair lifts that help you up onto the easy greens and nice sloping blue pistes to get learning. In addition to this, there’s a magic carpet that helps complete beginners get some height to begin the learning process.
Thankfully Bansko only has a couple of t-bar or drag lifts that are notoriously uncomfortable for snowboarders and both can be avoided. As the lifts are all modern you’ll find yourself at the top of the mountain in no time giving you plenty of snow time.
The official Bansko Map
Whether you’re new to Snowboarding or have been at it for a while, Bansko has you covered. As the resort is based in a UNESCO-protected area the resort is surrounded by trees making it a lot of fun. Many of the runs have nice loopy bends and plenty of side kickers for those looking to leave the ground.
Whilst learning, the resort has plenty of wide blues to help develop turning as well as a couple of crazy steep blacks if you are more advanced and after some speed. You’ll even find a park with a range of kickers as well as some bikes and a rail or two. Find the piste map here, but if you have any questions give us a shout.
If you’re completely new to boarding we’d definitely recommend some time boarding around Chalin Valog (lower part of the mountain) as the slopes are quieter, nice, and wide and drinks/food are cheaper!
If you’ve had a look at the map you will have seen a HUGE 5k run that allows you to snowboard all the way down from the top gondola station back down into town. This is one of our favourite parts of the day as it gives a great chance to practice riding switch or trying out any of the little flat land tricks that have been attempted throughout the day.
That said, for complete beginners, we wouldn’t advise starting here until you have some confidence going straight without turning as in places speed is necessary if you don’t fancy unclipping and walking a little. On the other hand, there are some great bars on the way down so when the back leg does start giving way just take 30, grab yourself a pint and some cheese chips before finishing off the cruise back into Bansko.
This is a must for us as there aren’t many things better than a little sit-down and a beer after a few hours of charging around. With a nice cold beer on the mountain still only costing as little as £3 you can afford to have a leisurely holiday.
It depends on the individual and their personal learning style and preferences. Some people find snowboarding to be easier to pick up than skiing. On the other hand, skis offer more stability and support, which can make it easier to balance and control their movements.
The turning motion in skiing is also more natural for many people, as it involves shifting weight from one ski to the other while the turning motion in snowboarding involves shifting your weight and twisting your upper body, which can take some time to master. However, once you get the hang of it, many people find snowboarding to be more fun and stylish.
Snowboarding can be an expensive hobby if you want to do it professionally. Luckily, Bansko has some of the most competitive prices when it comes to snowboard rentals and lessons in Europe. If you’re just starting out, it’s a great idea to come to Bansko as a beginner.
As exciting as snowboarding is, it’s not for everyone. Thus, cushioning the financial blow is always a good idea. Worst-case scenario you will have an extra budget to enjoy delicious traditional Bulgarian cuisine and drinks.
Everyone who’s learned to snowboard, remembers how miserable the first few lessons can be. Thus, having a friendly instructor that can make you smile can be the difference between getting good at snowboarding and quitting. Generally, all snowboarding instructors in Bansko speak excellent English.
We work with Bansko Ski Mania and Method Ski School as they are famous for their professional and friendly instructors, as well as their affordable lessons. They offer both group and one on one lessons, including advanced lessons for those who are looking for something extra like park skills.
Not at all. Crime rate is extremely low in Bansko. Petty crime is next to non-existent. The locals are interested that tourists are having a good time so they are very strict in dealing with any issues. Bansko is completely safe unless you go out of your way to look for trouble.
There are no bears inside Bansko proper or around the slopes, but there is a small population of Brown Bears deeper into the Pirin mountains. Even if you venture out you are highly unlikely to see one. Thus, Bansko is completely safe from bear attacks.
Proper technique and safety gear are your best bet against injuries. However, it’s reported that 16% of all snowboard-related injuries are knee injuries. So yes, it does put a large strain on your knees. If you are unsure about your skill level it’s best to stick to the beginner areas and definitely stay away from areas from the following sections.
Both skiing and snowboarding carry a risk of injury, and safety depends on factors such as personal ability, equipment, and conditions on the slopes. Some studies suggest that skiing may be associated with a lower risk of injury compared to snowboarding. But snowboarding is definitely cooler.
Freeriding in the forest
There’s no way we could write a post on snowboarding in Bansko without mentioning freeriding. Naturally, it’s at this point that we highlight the importance of safety before you think of testing out some of Bansko’s tree runs/open bowls or off-piste. Nevertheless, if you’re snowboarding this is where the mountain offers the most fun.
For anyone thinking of doing any of the below we highly advise doing an avalanche safety course or if less experienced taking a guide which we’re happy to arrange. Unfortunately, there have been fatalities due to the avalanche risk in places so safety is number 1.
That said, when the conditions are right the mountain opens up hugely and offers some stunning freeride experiences to all abilities. In our experience, if you’re looking for the best time of year to take advantage of off-piste conditions in Bansko, March is best but never guaranteed!
Enjoying the powder early in the morning!
Once you’ve got the hang on the slope this is where things get exciting. The easiest way to get learning is either just on the sides of the slopes or if it’s been snowing overnight, get out first thing whilst the fresh snow has settled on the piste and get stuck in. Bansko’s nice wide blues are great for this as there’s plenty of space to turn and no trees to crash into. Be warned, if you’re not out early to take advantage of this, the mountain will soon be carved up by skiers, turning the slopes into mogul fields.
Next up, take advantage of fresh snow under the lifts once you’re familiar with the feel of riding powder. Bansko has a few on offer but we would suggest Todorka, Bunderitza, and Shiligarnik. The advantage of all the listed is that you can check out the run whilst riding up on the lift to see if they’re still good to go and safe. In the right conditions, all are great fun to ride and great fun to watch others ride as you’re getting the lift up.
Going deep into the woods
If you’ve got a fair bit of experience under your belt, Banko’s tree lines are the natural progression. If you decide to go without a guide we’d recommend starting with the edges of the ski slopes and staying within sight of the ski slopes. Many of the gullies can quite quickly lead you astray so better to edge on the side of caution.
One of the safest spots to snowboard is to the right of the Plato lift as you rarely lose track of the main ski runs. This is a nice wide area with a few trees and not too steep and can be a lot of fun. Be warned, pushing too far right away from the piste will lead you down a valley toward the Damianica hut (not where you want to end up), the terrain becomes pretty dangerous and you’ll find yourself walking for a very long time or lost.
Similarly, there are some lovely wide skiable forests to the right of number 10 but again, being sucked too far right can lead you toward some dangerous gullies. To the right of this run, there are signs to point you back towards the resort. Crossing these directly leads to the couloirs so stay safe.
Choose your own path!
This is where things get very exciting but are only to be undertaken by those with a lot of experience with the correct safety equipment. If you’re unsure of your abilities we’d always advise getting a guide to make sure you ski within your limits and stay safe.
As seen in the above picture Todorka is one of the pinnacles of freeriding in Bansko and is easily accessible. From the highest lift station, you walk up a narrow ridge for around an hour before reaching a base where you can ski in a number of different directions. Many competitions have been held on the north side of Todorka including the qualifier to the Freeride world tour. For us, the best time of year to ride Todorka is toward the end of March.
One of our favorite spots in Bansko is the Bunderishki couloirs which run down the left of the mountain toward the Vihren hut. There are some very big drops so navigating without a guide isn’t advised but the runs are beautiful and well worth it. Best of all the runs lead to a summer road that leads up to the Vihren hut making a nice easy exit.
Quick and easy with our shuttle service!
Getting to Bansko is a piece of cake with many affordable options. If you’re taking a board with you, flying is by far the easiest option. Sofia airport is your closest bet. You don’t need to worry about carbon emissions, as we go the extra mile and offset emissions for you as part of our holiday package. From Sofia, it’s an easy Snomads transfer to the resort meaning no unnecessary lugging of equipment around bus stations. We’ll pick you up straight from the airport.
Our in-house fitting service!
If you don’t yet have your own equipment and are looking to rent, we’ve got you covered with our in-house rental. Unlike the normal process of renting equipment that is lengthy, stressful, and ends with trudging all the clunky gear back to the chalet, we offer a friendly alternative. Just pop into our rental store right next door to your chalet. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine while you’re at it and let us do the hard work for you. From experience, we know what you need and will guide you through the whole process.
The Diana Ross Ski Chalet
Snomads take ski holidays to the next level with our B&B ski chalet rentals. Just you and your friends 5 minutes away from the powdered slopes of Bansko. Food, drinks, sauna, table tennis, outdoor pool, and board games are just part of the cool stuff you can find around the Diana Ross Chalet. We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeve to make your stay even more memorable, including a BBQ night, as well as a dive in the hot thermal springs nearby. Also, check out the Supreme Chalet and the Chico Chalet.
If you’re looking for more alternative places to enjoy snowboarding to its fullest potential, we offer services in Poland and Macedonia as well.
Splitboarding in Zakopane
If you’re the more adventurous type you may have seen that we offer chalet holidays in Zakopane, Poland. From here we run a range of adventures, one of which is a tailor-made splitboarding trip up in the Tatra mountains. If this sounds up your street and you want to learn a little more give us a shout and you’ll be Splitboarding in Poland before you know it.
Cat Skiing in Macedonia
Want to take it even further? If it’s an adventure you want, we’ve got you covered. For us, there aren’t many things that beat riding a piste basher up a wide-open unmarked mountain, being dropped off at the top, and finding your own line down the mountain. Once you’ve got over the excitement you’ll then be picked up and driven up again to a different spot.
If you’re confident in your abilities but you’ve never experienced CAT skiing we can’t recommend it highly enough. Think heli-skiing but in the depths of the Macedonian mountains with great food, fabulous company, and a whole mountain to be explored. Again, if you’d like more details have a look at our CAT skiing in Macedonia page.
Overall, Bansko is a great place to come snowboarding, regardless if you are a pro or a beginner. There are great snowboarding schools to learn as well as a variety of slopes to challenge yourself on. If you are advanced, you can consider freeriding off the piste and into the forest. For those that want to take it even a step further, we also run a cat skiing operation in North Macedonia.
What’s better than relaxing in a hot pool of mineral water after a long day of skiing? Nothing, really.
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Family friendly ski chalets in Bansko available now!
Family friendly ski chalets in Bansko available now!
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