Ski resort

SKI LIFTS

GONDOLA | Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:30

The Bansko Gondola is the gateway to snow paradise, connecting the town with the comprehensive ski center. It offers enclosed cabins with glass sides so you can enjoy the view of the village of Bansko, weather permitting.

FEATURES

8-seater cabins
Dozens of cabins departing every 30 seconds
Approximately 30 minutes travel time (one way) + a little time to purchase your ski pass and enter the gondola, which can be a waiting experience if it is a peak day. Find more information about purchasing a ski pass and how to avoid the gondola queue. here.

USE
The Gondola serves skiers and snowboarders who start their ascent to the snow-covered mountain, then take the other lifts (drag lifts and chairlifts) for more action on the slopes. At the same time, it is also an option for tourists who are not fans of winter sports, as they can go up to the base of the ski center (Banderitsa) to enjoy nature or relax in the chalets of the area.

FIRST STOP: TSALIN VALOG

The doors open after 15 minutes at the first destination, Tsalin Valog. Here, you can enjoy ski and snowboard slopes, with a few cafés accessible only to skiers. It is the best option on days when the ski resort is crowded, as it is a less popular area. Before visiting the area, take a look at the map of the slopes and the snow conditions.

If you decide not to get off here, the doors close and you continue your journey to the end of the Gondola.

SECOND AND FINAL STOP: BANDERITSA POULIANA

The second and final stop, Banderitsa Pouliana, is the heart of the action.
Here you will find the children's lifts and beginner lifts, along with two chairlifts that take you to the higher slopes and subsequent lifts.

In Bandriza, you will meet your instructor if you have a lesson, while if you don't ski, here you can enjoy your coffee and lunch, finding unique chalets accessible to those who don't ski.

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN BY ROAD

For those who want to avoid the queue or have concerns about heights, there is the option of driving up to the ski center, which takes about 20 minutes, plus any delays due to traffic. Always carry chains with you and leave Bansko early in the morning to avoid traffic. Parking cost: 20 leva in cash.

If this is your first time skiing or if you are a beginner, it is recommended that you park in the Banderitsa area. Parking there is limited and fills up quickly, so leave Bansko early in the morning (08:00) to secure a spot.

If you can drive down even one blue slope, then you have the flexibility to park anywhere else.

SKI PASSES

Ski tickets (or lift passes) are the key to using the lifts at the Bansko ski resort. We have created this page to provide our visitors with all the necessary information about ski pass prices, as well as when and how they can purchase them.

Can I buy them online?

At this time, ski passes for the Bansko ski resort are not available for purchase online. If you have a ski pass from a previous visit to the ski resort, you can recharge it. here

Do I need a ski pass even though I am a beginner?

Whether you prefer to enjoy all the slopes at the ski resort or start with a simple lift for beginners, you need the appropriate ski pass.

Most lifts have an automatic entry bar that opens automatically when it detects your ski pass in your pocket. On the smaller lifts for beginners in Banderitsa, which do not have this system, you will need to show your ski pass to the staff in order to use the lift. In addition, the ski pass includes insurance that covers free transportation to the medical center and a basic medical examination in case of an accident.

We look forward to your visit for more information during the testing of your equipment.

Where and when can I purchase my ski pass?

1st POINT OF SALE: Equipment Rental Center
OPENING HOURS – Sunday to Wednesday: 08:30 – 17:00. Lift passes for the following day are issued between 16:30 and 17:00. – Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 08:30 – 21:00. Lift passes for the following day are sold from 16:30 – 21:00.

ATTENTION! The Gondola doors open at 8:00 a.m., while the rental center opens at 8:30 a.m., and those eager to get their ski passes are already lining up. After purchasing your ticket, there will be a second line to board the Gondola. Be prepared to wait and organize your time, especially if you have a lesson. (Provide a different background here to make it appear distinct.)

2nd POINT OF SALE: Ticket offices at the end of Gondola, in Banderitsa Pouliana

Driving to the ski resort (Bansko – Banderitsa, approx. 15-20 minutes) can save valuable time.

If you come with your own vehicle, be aware that the parking lot fills up early, and you may end up parking far away or getting stuck in traffic. Leave early, around 8:00 a.m. from Bansko, to avoid this. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you park in Banderitsa to buy your ski pass from the ticket offices near the parking lot. If you can ski down a blue slope, you can ski or snowboard down to the ticket offices.

Parking costs: 12 leva in cash.

OPENING HOURS
Daily from 08:30 to 17:00

3rd POINT OF SALE: Vending machines

Since 2021, there are automatic ski pass vending machines around the Gondola area for faster service.
Two points have been identified:

Outside the Maxsport store on Pirin Street, next to the Strazhite Hotel
In the Gondola parking lot, just before the entrance to the building

OPENING HOURS
They will be announced at the start of the season.

4th POINT OF SALE: Selected hotels

Some hotels in Bansko offer ski passes at their reception. The list for the 2022/23 season will be announced. Please note: Some hotels only issue daily lift passes, while others also issue multi-day passes. For more information, please contact the hotels directly.

How do I pay?

With Bulgarian Lev in cash or card

What is the difference between a gondola ticket and a ski pass?

GONDOLA TICKET ONLY

The gondola-only ticket is intended for tourists who want to enjoy the ski resort without skiing. It is the ideal choice for a peaceful ride in nature, for a meal or a coffee at the chalets at the end of the gondola in Bandriza. The ticket includes one ascent and one descent, but is not valid for two ascents and does not cover the use of other lifts.

SKI PASS

The ski pass is the ticket that gives you full access to all lifts on the mountain. With unlimited daily use of the lifts at the ski resort and the gondola, the ski pass covers all routes, whether you decide to use them or not. There is no different price for the ski pass if you do not use the gondola.

Some beginner skiers/snowboarders who want to save money choose the gondola-only ticket to reach the top of the gondola in Bandirica. This way, they can enjoy the beginner slopes without using the lifts. Some also choose to take a taxi or bus instead of the gondola to save money.

ATTENTION: In these cases, please note that the gondola ticket does not include insurance and is not intended for this use. Also, skiing and snowboarding on the ski road without a ski pass is not covered by insurance. This means that in the event of an accident on the slopes, free transport to the medical center is not provided. If you need this service and do not have a ski pass, you will need to pay for it (cost from 25 to 300 euros).

The ski pass is valid from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the same day. Ski passes are strictly personal and cannot be transferred to another person. Each lift has a camera and an electronic system that creates a user profile with a high-resolution photo. If the ski pass is used by another person and checked by lift staff, the card will be canceled, and the user must leave the ski center or purchase a new card.

Ski passes include mountain safety, which covers your transport to the ski resort's medical center and a basic examination. However, we recommend that you take out additional personal insurance for any physical injuries and travel with your European Health Insurance Card, if you have one.

The cost of lift passes is non-refundable in the event of the gondola and lifts being out of service due to bad weather, power cuts, or other circumstances beyond our control. No refunds or transfers of remaining days will be provided in the event of a change of plans or injury.

The student lift card is issued upon presentation of a valid and certified academic ID (pass).

The half-day lift pass is only sold from 12:00 onwards, but it is activated from 12:30 and is valid until the end of the day.

Any unused days on the "Bansko-twenty" card cannot be carried over to the next winter season and cannot be redeemed.

The 2022-2023 winter season runs from December 17, 2022, to April 17, 2023. The ski resort management company reserves the right to change the start and end dates of the season depending on weather conditions and snow conditions.