winter 2016-2017 Snowboard World Cup 3-5 February 2017 "BULGARIA'S BEST SKI RESORT" FOR A FEW YEARS IN A ROW The Pirin mountain town won numerous prizes for “Bulgaria's Best Ski Resort” at the World Ski Awards ceremony in Kitzbühel The elite and prestigious international award, World Ski Awards Gala Ceremony in Kitzbühel, recognized Bansko continuously in the recent years as an outstanding resort. By tradition, the prestigious event in Austria’s legendary winter sports destination is attended by handpicked guests and rewards the very best in the global ski tourism industry with a variety of prizes in few specific categories. The World Ski Awards winners are unveiled annually, as hundreds of thousands travel professionals, market leaders and skiers across the globe vote directly for their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels. World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, which is heralded as “the Oscars of the travel industry”. “Tonight’s winners can take enormous pride – they have been voted the finest in class. – said in 2015 Sion Rapson, Managing Director of the World Ski Awards. – From here in Austria all the way to Japan, Australia and Canada, our winners represent the best in ski from every corner of the globe.” The high value of this recognition puts Bansko in one group with iconic winter sport destinations such as Kitzbühel (Austria), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy) and Kranjska Gora (Slovenia), to name but a few. 2 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 3 Moscow Sofia WELCOME Copenhagen Plovdiv London Munich TO BANSKO Vienna Bansko is unique on many levels. It is a place where guests will discover Milano ultimate relaxation and enjoyment, combined with an unparalleled range of sporting and cultural activies. The popular slogan of the resort, “Unlimited ski and fun”, emphasizes the surprising variety of choices that can be Istanbul enjoyed during your vacation here. Thessaloniki Istanbul Thessaloniki GETTING BY AIR Closest airport: Sofia Airport. Approx. distance from Istanbul, Turkey – 600 km Approx. distance from Thessaloniki, Greece – 220 km BY BUS There are regular bus lines Approx. distance from Belgrade, Serbia – 650 km to major cities in Bulgaria. Approx. distance from Skopje, FYROM – 200 km THERE BY CAR Distance from Sofia – 150 km Approx. distance from Bucharest, Romania – 600 km www.banskoski.com 5 Having once visited this charming resort, people keep coming again and again. And there are plenty of reasons for that. Bansko offers a great variety and can satisfy pretty much everyone’s taste – from fans of modern extreme winter sports, to admirers of the authentic. The town has carefully preserved its old-time charisma – cobblestone streets and hun- AUTHENTIQUE dred-year old houses looking like cloisters, with high stone walls and small shuttered win- dows. The list of unique local attractions can go on and on, incliding the aged red wine and the delicious dishes of traditional Bansko cuisine. OLD TIME ATMOSPHERE 6 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 7 The major source of purity and harmony comes from the For the para-skiers, Bansko also offers a hundred- natural might of Pirin mountain. In its majestic slopes percent adrenaline experience. The start is just below are nestled over 75 kilometres of prime quality ski runs, Todorka peak and the final line can be right beside kept in perfect condition by 14 maintenance vehicles and the first houses of the resort village. a state-of the art snow system which easily guarantees All tracks of the ski resort are kept in perfect skiing for six months – from December to May. condition, groomed by Kassbohrer maintenance In only a few minutes, a modern Doppelmayr Gondola vehicles round the clock. ropeway will take you to a total of 75 km well groomed ski runs of the resort – right in the heart of Pirin 200 professional ski instructors are taking care of the mountain. By the 15 super fast lifts with a total length ski training for all visitors of the resort, starting with of 22 kilometres, you can reach any of the runs for your the toddlers. Even if you are a complete novice, you skiing pleasure. Access is conveniently controlled by Ski may be sure that by the end of your vacation you’ll Data chip cards. enjoy going down the “Tomba” run! The “Tomba” track is undoubtedly the most attractive, The rental ski service offers over 3000 ski pairs and but also the most challenging in the area. Its qualities over 1000 snowboards from the latest collections were assessed by the "Godfather" Alberto Tomba of Atomic and Salomon, plus a trained staff that will himself, and its excellent characteristics made it a attend to your every need. rеgular host of races from the Audi FIS Alpine Ski The undisputed pearl of Bansko is the 5-star World Cup. Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena hotel which opened The resort also offers superb conditions for biathlon just a few years ago. It is situated opposite the base and in the past has hosted the European Biathlon station of the Gondola cable lift and is just a ten Championship (2007), as well as annual international THE WINTER minute walk from the town centre. The hotel offers biathlon competitions. 150 rooms, 15 suites and total of 330 beds, a deluxe SPA centre, fitness gym, sauna, solarium, massage Here, you will find tracks to suit every kind of skier – from parlour, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus a absolute beginners to seasoned professionals. All runs kids’ pool. There is also a 120-seat conference facility are secured with safety nets by the top safety expert CAPITAL at the hotel. Kurt Koch. So rest assured – even if uncertain in your skills, you won’t get hurt. A force of Ski-patrols are also The best place to recuperate after skiing and fully taking care of the safety of skiers in the area. relax is the top-rated bar and restaurant ”Happy OF THE BALKANS End”. Here you can enjoy delicious dishes, taste the One of the most picturesque and beautiful runs of the excellent red wine, and… storm the dancing floor. resort is “The Plateau”. Right by its side is the Fun Park for snowboard fans, offering all the extras. No wonder For those who prefer dining in the genuine atmosphere some starts of the European Snowboarding Cup have of a typical Bansko tavern, there is a choice of more already taken place there. than… one hundred! 8 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 9 DON'T YEARS FIS SKI WORLD CUP MISS IT! 3 FEBRUARY 2017 - Parallel Slalom 4 FEBRUARY 2017 - Snowboardcross 5 FEBRUARY 2017 - Parallel GS 10 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 11 THE SPARKLING BEAUTY OF WINTER The blue skies paint a picture of beauty, framing a peaceful mountain landscape. The magic of the sparkling snow invites you to spend the entire day outdoors, enjoying your activity of choice. The fresh wind touches your face as if saying "Welcome to Pirin mountain... Welcome to Bansko..." 12 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 13 Bansko is already one of the most attractive and popular winter sport resorts in Eastern Europe. Apart from being a regular host of the World Cup circuit, it offers great snow conditions and many hours of sunshine, even in winter. The “Tomba” track is the main challenge for experienced skiers, and it has been a host of numerous races from the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar. UNLIMITED SKI AND SNOWBOARD 14 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 15 UNLIMITED FUN Bansko offers winter holiday fun at the highest level! You can dance and enjoy cool music directly on the snow with our DJs and the colorful, special Bansko Hummer. Then, you can take part in games like “Treasure hunters”, where you could have the luck to win great prizes! The attractions don't end there - so rest assured, you'll never feel bored at Bansko! 16 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 17 Alberto Tomba Reinfried Herbst and Marc Girardelli Kjetil Andre Aamodt Hanni Weirather - Wenzel Franz Klammer Rosi Mittermaier Janica Kostelic Maria Walliser Gustavo Thoeni Andreas Wenzel Michael Walchhofer Stephan Eberharter There are slopes that the greatest ski stars like. And then... there are slopes that they love. Those are in resorts BEST SKIERS which feel "lucky" and leave them smiling memories for years to come. Just ask 2012 World Cup overall winners Lindsey Vonn and Marcel Hirscher, who - after winning a race in Bansko - went on to collect the big Crystal Globes. Lizzy Goergl, Anja Paerson, Aksel Lund Svindal, Ted Ligety, Lindsey Vonn and Anna Fenninger have filmed special TV ads for Bansko World Cup events. Some of all-time ski greats are frequent visitors and friends of Bansko. From Alberto Tomba to Marc Girardelli, don’t be surprised if you see a legendary champion of the white sport sitting next to you in the restaurant or relaxing in the stylish lobby ON THE PLANET of Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko. LOVE BANSKO Hermann Maier Markus Wasmeier < Peter Popangelov,Marc Girardelli, Alberto Tomba, Luc Alphand and Jure Kosir 18 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 19 ADRENALIN Be inspired by the majestic views of Pirin mountain, get your gear ready and try the deep snow powder. Bansko hosts The Mad Goat Ride competition for extreme free-ride skiing and snowboarding on the RUSH virgin slopes under Todorka peak (2746 m). AT ITS PUREST 20 www.banskoski.com www.banskoski.com 21 “Sopranos Ristorante” is one of the newest and hottest spots in Bansko, attracting many lovers of the Italian cuisine. Situated on the second floor of the popular Happy End bar, it’s literally one step away from the base station of the Gondola lift.