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Outdoor Pursuits
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Winter activities |
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During the long winter season, Bansko provides a wide variety of winter sports and activities. Here are some of them. |
Skiing & Snowboarding |
| Probably the most popular in the town, with the 65km of ski-runs suiting all tastes and abilities. There is also a fun park and half-pipe in the resort. Click here for more details. |
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In the evenings it is possible to ski the last 6km from Banderishka Polyana down to the gondola station. A 5 minute stroll will take you back to the apartment, or a 30 second stroll will take you into the Happy End bar opposite the gondola. |
Off piste and Heli-skiing |
| If you're looking for fresh untouched powder, then the limitless off piste opportunities will satisfy even the most demanding skiers and snowboarders. For the adventurous, you can take a helicopter away from the resort and deep into the Pirin mountain range and take on some of the backcountry slopes. |
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Ice skating |
| About 5-10 minutes walk from the apartment is Banskos very own ice skating rink. Great for winter evenings. |
Ski-doo safari |
| Why not jump on a ski-doo and plough through the woods Jame Bond style accompanied by a local guide. |
Cross country & ski-shoot |
| For the more athletic, Bansko offers several km of cross-country ski tracks with shooting ranges |
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Summer activities |
Mountain biking |
| Over the last few years, mountain biking has really caught on in Bansko. The large forest areas and mountain tracks make it the ideal place for mountain biking. A popular route is to the Belizmata reservoir 3km South-West of the town.You will find it by crossing the bridge near the Bansko Hotel and going straight until the first field track. Mountain bikes can be rented by the day for 20 Lev (about £7) from the 'Mountain Tracks' shop on Ulitsa Pirin (0888 788859 / 0888 703184) 5 minute walk from the apartment.as well as from most of the big hotels. In the summer months, your ski locker doubles as a bike store, acommodating four bikes easily. |
Hiking |
| The Pirin mountain range has for a long time been a popular hiking destination in Europe. The hiking season is from early June until late September and great for day-trips. For extended tours, you can take a 2 or 3 day hike around Mount Vihren and the lakes on a circuit beginning or ending at a hut that is accessible by Road from Bansko or Dobrinishte. The mountain huts provide both shelter and overnight stays. |
White water rafting |
| Early summer provides some spectacular category 2 - 5 white water rafting on the Struma and Mesta rivers, as the snow from the mountains melts and flows along these main rivers. Rafting day-trips are available on both rivers both rivers with guide and lunch provided. |
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Rock climbing |
| Routes for rock climbers provided with all utilities have been provided on the north face of mount Vihren and the mounts Samodivski and Glavnishki Chukar. |
Horse riding |
| A great way to explore one of Europes most unspoilt nature reserves. Maybe stopping for lunch in a forest glade or taking a rest beside a clear cool mountain stream. |
Golf |
| Set at the very foot of the impressive Pirin mountains, the 18 hole Bansko golf course is probably going to be one of the best in the country for quality and facilities. The course was designed by golfer Ian Woosnam and is being buit by IMG. The course is due to open in the summer of 2007. Aside from golfing, there are a large number of top quality facilities on offer to appeal to everyone. Such as a new sports complex which will include a football pitch, 2 tennis courts, volleyball and baskball courts, horse riding centre, spa centre, mineral water swimming pool, sauna, hydro-massage baths and a wide range of alternative therapies designed to relax. The complex will also include a shopping centre and numerous restaurants and cafes. So if not everyone in the group shares the same passion for golf as you do, there will plenty to see and do while you enjoy a round of golf in peace and quiet. |
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Paintball |
| If you haven't tried it yet, you really should. It's a great sport that can be enjoyed by all the family. |
Paragliding |
| An exciting yet peaceful alternative way of decending the mountain. Accompanied by a pilot, your flight will take you from the top of the Todorka mountain down to the nursery slopes at the bottom with incredible views and a very real sensation of free flying. The trip costs around 150 Leva (about £50). You can find more information byclicking here to visit their website. If you still need convincing, click here to see some footage from a paragliding flight taken in Bansko. Hang gliding flights are also available in Bansko. |
Caving |
| There are about 4620 known caves in Bulgaria..Most of which have been explored and many available with guided tours. The most popular being the Yagodinska cave. |
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Jeep safari |
| What better place for a complete off-road experience. The narrow dirt tracks and rugged countryside provides virtually unlimited off-road tracks, winding in and around the mountains, through rivers and across rugged terrain. |
Fishing |
| Surrounded by lakes, Bansko has some excellent locations for fishing. Chances are, you will have an entire lake to yourself so you can relax, unwind and admire the stunning backdrop of the Pirin mountains. |
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