Carve into Winter Bliss: Bansko’s Ski Season Kickoff on December 16th, 2023
The countdown to winter skiing in Bansko has officially begun! The warm air from last weekend melted the snow lower down but now it’s all about to change. The air is getting crisper. There will be snow higher up tomorrow Wednesday 6th December and a substantial 20cm+ snowfall on Thursday and Friday. After then, night time temperatures in town will drop below freezing with the snow cannon blasting out snow too. In summary, Bansko is gearing up for the much awaited opening of the ski season on December 16th, 2023.
The gondola lift will be open the 8th, 9th and 10th of December. The official opening is 16th December – which is when I expect (hope) a number of lifts will be available for skiing. Stay tuned in our app (it’s free) here and also on the Bansko blog socials for more news on the snow.
The Opening Day Ceremony Agenda
The 16th of December promises a much better start than last season when, unfortunately, the snow and weather gods did not oblige. It is very unlikely that we would have such a poor start to the season as last season.
Here’s What to Expect:
Adding to the excitement, the three-time Olympic champion in alpine skiing, Deborah Compagnoni, will be the guest of honour.
Compagnoni’s visit is made possible by the invitation from Ulen, the concessionaire of the Bansko ski area. This marks the continuation of a remarkable 20-year tradition where skiing legends grace the opening of the season in Bulgaria.
Compagnoni, with an illustrious career in alpine skiing, boasts an impressive collection of gold medals from three consecutive Winter Olympics – Albertville ’92 (super-g), Lillehammer ’94 (giant slalom), and Nagano ’98 (giant slalom). Her Olympic success extends to Japan, where she clinched a silver in the slalom. The Italian athlete also secured three World Championship titles – Sierra Nevada ’96 (giant slalom), Sestriere ’97 (giant slalom and slalom).
In the span of 1992 to 1998, Compagnoni demonstrated her all-round prowess by claiming victory in 16 World Cup starts, with 13 in giant slalom, 2 in super-g, and 1 in slalom.
Sharing the stage with Compagnoni on December 16th will be the esteemed 5-time World Cup winner, Marc Girardelli.
As we eagerly await the grand opening of Bansko’s ski season, I am getting super excited for some of that glorious feeling of being up in the mountains. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-timer, this season promises endless adventures, unforgettable moments, and the pure joy of gliding down the majestic slopes of Bansko. Get ready to embrace the thrill – Bansko awaits!
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