Wait... You're Closing Already?

In this week’s Buzz:

• Did Stefanos restaurant in Bansko ever open?

• Bansko Ski Resort stays open as Borovets closes

• How do I get a Grosh Supermarket loyalty card?

• Local municipality issues confirmation of support for business growth & local community projects

• Pop-up board game night at George & Mary

• New waste separation facility opens in Razlog

Borovets Ski Resort Closes Early as Bansko Flexes That Most of Its Slopes Will Stay Open Two More Weeks

Today (Sunday, 30th of March) was Borovets Ski Resort’s final day of the season as it decided to close earlier than Bansko. The same happened last year, but this isn’t a common occurrence: for most of the past 5+ years, Borovets has closed after Bansko, with conditions usually being much more favourable on the other side of the Rila National Park in later parts of the season.

Why does this even matter? Well, it will likely encourage skiers and snowboarders who live in and around Sofia to ski and board in Bansko for the next two weekends, especially with the favourable snow forecast predicted here.

The other day, Bansko Ski Resort posted an update that they’re making significant efforts to keep as many slopes open as possible, with snow canons and piste bashers working into the night. I think we can all agree with how well all of the workers and team from the ski resort have worked this season, with the resort opening eight days early (when they didn’t have to). There is no change to the end of the season date of the 13th of April, even though Chalin and Ski Road 2 have been fully closed (at the time of writing).

Tired of ski season and want it to be over? We have two more weekends to go, and then the resort shuts down. Then we’ve got a few weeks, and we should see all the dates confirmed for the summer festivals and events programme 💪. Every week leading up to these, I’ll bring you information about them.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 59 New Posts, 💬 143 Comments, 👍️ 907 Reactions

Had a Skiing Accident And Need An MRI. Any Recommendations?
Sarah posted that after a skiing accident on the mountain, she needs to go for an MRI and wanted suggestions from people about where would be best.

We’re Visiting Bansko in April And Want To Hike
Huong will be coming to Bansko in April with her husband and they want to hike. She wondered if people had suggestions on safe routes to take this time of year. See what people commented.

Did Stefanos Restaurant Ever Open?
Teodora wants to know whether the Setafnos seafood restaurant ever opened. It had the signs go up for it across from the Guinness Hotel (down from Contrabar on the ring road), but she hadn’t heard anything about it. Find out what people had to say.

Does Anyone Know The Story With The Grosh Loyalty Card?
Sebastien has heard about the Grosh Supermarket loyalty card but can’t find much information about it and thought it best to ask the local community. A few people commented with the information they know.

Will The Gondola Still Be Running in August?
Mircea is coming to Bansko in August and will be driving his car. He wants to know whether he’ll be able to drive up the road to Banderitsa Polyana/Vihren Hut and park or whether he’ll need to take the gondola.

(The above posts are publicly accessible. You don’t need a Facebook account to view them.)

Local/Municipality News

Local Municipality Commits To Supporting The Local Community
Bansko Municipal Council has confirmed its continued support for young people, social initiatives and local businesses. This included the acceptance of The Annual Youth Plan – which provides support for young talent, sports initiatives and activities to engage young people in public life – and over 500 acres of expansion in industrial business areas in the north of the town (Todorka Peak is in the south). Read more.

Bansko To Host Biathlon For All 
For the second year running, Bansko will host the Biathlon For All competition on Saturday 7th of June. A sporting competition that aims to bring together young and old, amateurs and professionals, to show that movement and sport are for everyone. It will take place in the town square, and tickets are available to purchase online. Read more.

Razlog Municipality Issues Reminder About Fire Season
Ahead of the start of the fire season (from 1 April to 31 October, as mandated by the Minister of Environment and Waters), Razlog Municipality has issued a reminder of the restrictions that will come into place, such as the lighting of fires in specific locations, not extinguishing cigarettes or matches in forest areas, and children not playing with fire in, near or around the forest. Read more.

One Dead And Two Injured in Car Crash Just Outside Bansko
It seems as though it’s been the month for car crashes around Bansko, with this week a crash happening between two vehicles around 5.30pm on Friday on the road between Bansko and Dobrinishte, which resulted in one fatality. Read more.

New Waste-Separating Facility Opens in Razlog
A new waste-separating facility has opened in Razlog to separate all of the reusable waste in the areas of Razlog, Bansko, Belitsa and Yakoruda. Employing 19 workers, the facility can process up to 98 tons of waste each day. Waste is separated into whether it’s able to be reused (recycled) or not. Read more.

Continued Education For Young People During Forest Week
With the local municipality’s goal of planting many different trees, shrubs and bulbs for Forest Week, they have also committed to educating young people on the importance of preserving green areas. They recently published some videos and an update on what has been happening. If you’re interested in how the environment is being thought of in the local area it’s well worth having a look. Read more.

Recommended Businesses

Shared airport transfers from Sofia to Bansko with Traventuria. Get to Bansko quickly and in style. Always on time. Check availability.

Shop on Amazon & get packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular transport from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

Travelling out of your home country in 2025? Get travel insurance designed by travellers. True Traveller: one policy to cover all of your activities. Learn more.

Want two beers or two wines for 8 BGN? That’s Happy Hour at The Hub, every day from 4pm to 6pm until the end of the season.

👉️ Want to see your ad in the Bansko Buzz?
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Events Next Week

Reiki Healing Group Session
On Monday (31st), a group Japanese Reiki healing session with Tibetan bowls will take place on the second floor at the Culture Center near the town square. The start time is 6pm and the entrance fee is 25 BGN. The organisers say that participants will experience deep relaxation, a removal of negative energy, and foster inner peace and restful sleep. More info.

Marketing Meetup: Content Creators Paradise
Nomads and remote workers in town will meet at Coliving Bansko at 6.30pm on Tuesday (1st) to talk about content, whether you’re a superstar or a newbie. No fee to join, and they will usually go for drinks and/or dinner afterwards. More info.

Oil Painting and Wine Evening
Why not sit back, relax with a glass of wine and paint a nice painting? Takes place on Tuesday (25th) at Altspace central location (here). The 30 BGN entry fee gets you all the painting stuff you need and some wine. Message Altspace to book.

Pop-Up Board Game Night (and Fundraiser)
On Wednesday (2nd), at 7pm at George & Mary Restaurant, there will be a pop-up board game night (and a fundraiser for Bansko Street Dogs: looks like a raffle of sorts from the event info). Organised by the same Roll & Retreat team as the board game weekend in May, this is a bookable event that costs 10 BGN to enter. Tables will be made up of 2-8 seats, but they welcome solo participants. More info.

Spa & Coworking Day at Pulse Therme
On Wednesday (2nd), coworkers will settle into Pulse Therme in Banya for a day of coworking at the spa. If you’d like to attend, you’ll need to book a ticket and potentially organise your own transport.

Sunday Walking Club (raising money for local charity)
Want to learn some different routes to walk/hike around Bansko? Why not join the walking club that walk/hike most Sunday mornings from 11am. The usual meeting place is somewhere around the gondola, and some people take their dogs. A 5 BGN participation fee is asked, which is then donated to the local street dogs non-profit, Bansko Street Dogs. Keep an eye on the Bansko Notice Board group for details.

Photo of the Week

When the slopes become quiet, it’s time to head up the mountain!

Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.