Forecast today: Mainly fair
It now boasts the region’s best lift system and a nice 48km network of pistes. In recognition of this development, Bansko now hosts annual World Cup races and quite rightly has shifted a lot of its former reputation as a bargain basement resort. Yes prices are still cheap, but you get great value for money and the quality of every facet of the resort has significantly improved – from the standards of accommodation to the quality of the food.
This has not resulted in a complete loss of Bansko’s identity however, with the centre of town holding on to its cobbled streets, cosy bars and locally inspired restaurants. The town is lively and there is a good après ski scene, no doubt fuelled somewhat by the low prices, making this a really good all round resort for a great value ski holiday.
The only way up the mountain is via the main access gondola, which quickly whisks you up to Bundarishka at 1635m. Here, the best beginner zone can be found on a gentle plateau – there is another small sector in the town, but the snow is more reliable further up. Longer blues are available via the Kolarski Express above Shiligarnika.
For more confident skiers and boarders, the revamped Todorka chair and the two Banderitza quads serve wide, open reds, which are a blast first thing in the morning with fresh corduroy. These finish steeply at the foot of the World Cup piste, but apart from that there is little to interest advanced skiers. Some off piste is available, especially if you hire a guide and go ski touring, but thick trees low down and cliffs high up limit the available terrain.
Bansko is a big resort town with a historic, traditional centre. It is dominated by old stone buildings, capped with terracotta tiles, and the cobbled streets make it an attractive place. A lot of accommodation in small, locally run B&Bs or in self-catered apartments is on offer here. This part of town is also home to the cosiest and most traditional bars and restaurants in town, where a good meal will set you back a fraction of the cost of a meal in the Alps.
Newer hotel developments have sprung up around the base of the gondola, several of which are well appointed and home to pools and spas. This is where the après ski activity is focussed and it does get very lively, with the party often continuing on well into the night.
Sat 22 Feb | Sun 23 Feb | Mon 24 Feb | Tue 25 Feb | Wed 26 Feb | Thu 27 Feb | Fri 28 Feb | Sat 1 Mar | Sun 2 Mar | Mon 3 Mar | |||||||||||||||||||||
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AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Partly cloudy |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Occasional snow |
Mist |
Freezing fog | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Freezing fog | ![]() Partly cloudy |
Freezing fog |
Freezing fog | Broken clouds |
![]() Partly cloudy |
Freezing fog | Light snow shwr |
Light snow |
Occasional snow | Light snow shwr |
Occasional snow |
![]() Partly cloudy | Broken clouds |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | Broken clouds |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.1 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.2 cm | 1.4 cm | 0.9 cm | 0.4 cm | 1.4 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.5 cm | 0.3 cm | 0.4 cm | 1.5 cm | 1.9 cm |
Max temp | -10.4°c | -10.9°c | -16.8°c | -8.4°c | -9.6°c | -11.1°c | -7.1°c | -8°c | -9.8°c | -5.6°c | -6.7°c | -9.4°c | -4.1°c | -5.1°c | -8.3°c | -2.4°c | -3.6°c | -6°c | -2°c | -3.8°c | -6.3°c | -2.2°c | -3.7°c | -6.9°c | -3.3°c | -4.8°c | -7.8°c | -2.5°c | -3.5°c | -6.8°c |
Min temp | -19.2°c | -17.1°c | -17.7°c | -14.3°c | -12.4°c | -12.4°c | -10.5°c | -10.5°c | -10.5°c | -9.6°c | -9.4°c | -10.5°c | -9.9°c | -8.3°c | -9.3°c | -8°c | -6°c | -7.3°c | -6.4°c | -6.3°c | -7.6°c | -7.1°c | -6.9°c | -7.6°c | -7.6°c | -7.8°c | -9.1°c | -7.6°c | -7.1°c | -7.4°c |
Feels like temp | -25.2°c | -16.1°c | -17.1°c | -20.1°c | -15.7°c | -12.4°c | -15.6°c | -14.4°c | -10.5°c | -9.6°c | -11.8°c | -9.4°c | -9.9°c | -9.8°c | -8.3°c | -8°c | -4.5°c | -6°c | -6.4°c | -4.6°c | -6.3°c | -7.1°c | -7.8°c | -6.9°c | -7.6°c | -5.7°c | -7.8°c | -7.6°c | -4.2°c | -7.1°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | -10.4°c | -10.9°c | -16.8°c |
Min temp | -19.2°c | -17.1°c | -17.7°c |
Feels like temp | -25.2°c | -16.1°c | -17.1°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Partly cloudy |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.7 cm |
Max temp | -8.4°c | -9.6°c | -11.1°c |
Min temp | -14.3°c | -12.4°c | -12.4°c |
Feels like temp | -20.1°c | -15.7°c | -12.4°c |
Sat 22 Feb | Sun 23 Feb | Mon 24 Feb | Tue 25 Feb | Wed 26 Feb | Thu 27 Feb | Fri 28 Feb | Sat 1 Mar | Sun 2 Mar | Mon 3 Mar | |||||||||||||||||||||
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AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() Mainly fair |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | Mainly cloudy |
Mainly cloudy |
Light snow | Snow grains |
Snow grains |
Occasional snow | Mainly cloudy |
Rather cloudy |
Rather cloudy | Rather cloudy |
Rather cloudy |
Light rain/snow | Mainly cloudy |
Mainly cloudy |
Light drizzle | Light rain shwr |
Rather cloudy |
![]() Partly cloudy | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Generally clear | ![]() Partly cloudy |
![]() Generally clear |
![]() Partly cloudy | Mainly cloudy |
Occasional rain |
Light rain |
Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0.5 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.5 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0.3 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 2.3°c | 2.3°c | -4.2°c | 3°c | 3°c | -1.2°c | 1.9°c | 2.4°c | -0.4°c | 5.4°c | 5.7°c | 1°c | 6.9°c | 6.9°c | 2.3°c | 7.8°c | 7.8°c | 3.4°c | 8.6°c | 8.6°c | 3.7°c | 10.1°c | 10.1°c | 3.9°c | 8.4°c | 8.4°c | 3.5°c | 9.7°c | 9.7°c | 4.1°c |
Min temp | -6.6°c | -4.2°c | -5.1°c | -4.6°c | -1.2°c | -1.8°c | -2.5°c | -0.4°c | -1°c | -1.2°c | 1°c | -0.3°c | -0.4°c | 2.3°c | 1.3°c | 1.1°c | 3.4°c | 1.9°c | 1.3°c | 3.7°c | 1.3°c | 1.1°c | 3.9°c | 1.9°c | 1.5°c | 3.5°c | 1.4°c | 1°c | 4.1°c | 2.1°c |
Feels like temp | -6.6°c | 0°c | -4.2°c | -4.6°c | 2.7°c | -1.2°c | -2.5°c | 1.7°c | -0.4°c | -1.2°c | 5°c | 0.9°c | -0.4°c | 5.4°c | 2.2°c | 1°c | 6.3°c | 3.2°c | 1.2°c | 8.1°c | 3.5°c | 1°c | 9.5°c | 3.7°c | 1.4°c | 7.9°c | 3.3°c | 0.9°c | 8.3°c | 3.9°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | ![]() |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
Max temp | 2.3°c | 2.3°c | -4.2°c |
Min temp | -6.6°c | -4.2°c | -5.1°c |
Feels like temp | -6.6°c | 0°c | -4.2°c |
AM | PM | Night | |
Weather | |
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Wind | |
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Snow expected | 0.1 cm | 0 cm | 0.5 cm |
Max temp | 3°c | 3°c | -1.2°c |
Min temp | -4.6°c | -1.2°c | -1.8°c |
Feels like temp | -4.6°c | 2.7°c | -1.2°c |
Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 18/02/2025 |
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Next 3 days | 4.1 cm | |
Depths | Upper piste depth | 170 cm |
Lower piste depth | 40 cm | |
Snow conditions | Snow quality | Hard packed |
Lifts | Lifts open | 14 out of 14 |
Resort opening date | Fri 06 Dec 2024 | |
Resort closing date | Sun 13 Apr 2025 |
Updated 18/02
High pressure over Eastern and Central Europe dominates the region for this week, keeping things sunny but cold for many areas. The freezing line will be camped out close to sea level for many areas, occasionally climbing to around 1,000m in the midday sun.
Fine, dry and bright conditions will dominate, with barely a cloud in sight in southern and western regions. Temperatures will be cold, with overnight lows of -12°C and daytime highs of -7°C; in westerly regions, this will climb as the week continues close to freezing by the weekend.
Useful Links – Bulgaria
Useful Links – Other Eastern Europe
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