Hitting the snow-covered slopes for skiing or snowboarding can be one of the priciest getaways going, especially once you’ve factored in gear rental, accommodation and flights. Yet, there’s an overlooked European ski resort that has been ranked as one of the cheapest options for your wintery escape.

The Bulgarian ski resort town of Bansko boasts endless stretches of pristine snow at the foot of the majestic Pirin Mountains, with an altitude of 925 metres and notably part of the National Park, for a breathtaking backdrop. Bansko has rightly earned recognition for its slopes on Todorka Peak, including the challenging black run known as Tomba, which spans a sprawling 16km descent through the towering mountains.

Elsewhere in the charming town that boasts a population of almost 10,000, there are 150 restaurants for food enthusiasts, along with an index of bars for a refreshing drink after hitting the slopes. Bansko is also known for Vihren Peak, the tallest mountain in Pirin National Park and impressively, the second-tallest mountain across Bulgaria, with alpine woodlands and spectacular glacial lakes.

Those looking to hit the slopes will be pleased to hear that a pass to the resort’s 14 ski lifts and 75 kilometres of slopes will cost around £28 per day (CHF 30, Swiss francs), a significant difference compared to the fees charged in France or Switzerland for a similar privilege.

Additionally, a night’s stay in a three-star hotel with a double costs just over £51 (CHF 55). These affordable prices are why Bansko’s been ranked as the cheapest ski area in Europe by the European Ski Index.

Direct return flights from UK airports to Sofia, the closest airport to Bansko, start from £34 in January, as shown on Skyscanner. The journey is just over three hours by plane, with transfers available by car, shuttle bus, or public transport from the airport to the ski resort in less than two hours, so you could be skiing later that very day.

While Bansko is far from the largest ski resort in Europe, its facilities are situated at an altitude of 2,580 metres, ensuring visitors are welcomed with snow-covered slopes. It’s ideal for those seeking to avoid Swiss hotspots and still enjoy some of those breathtaking, scenic backdrops while gliding down the slopes at a discounted rate.

Holidaymakers have praised the ski resort for its affordable features, but have noted that queues can become challenging. One wrote on TripAdvisor: “Large ski resort with many options for slopes, mostly medium and difficult. The main drawback is the difficulty of access. There is the gondola from the village to the ski resort, which is included in the ski pass, but we did not manage to pick it up on any day.” 

Yet, for the price, you can’t fault it, as long as you plan your mornings in a bid to avoid the queues.

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