Facilities in Bansko

Bansko has been increasing its facilities off the mountain in recent years. A new ice rink opened in 2007 as part of strategy of diversification to provide additional and alternative activities to winter mountain sports and to increase its attractiveness to visitors as a year round destination resort. Te ice rink is one of the most modern facilities of its type and follows the opening of ice rinks in Bulgaria's capital Sofia and other Bulgarian cities. Along with providing entertainment for resort guests, local children can skate there for free and have professional training with the long term aim of training future champions. The mayor of the Bansko has also announced a new sports hall development will be built at the resort with more than 5000 seats. The hall will host ice hockey, basketball, valley ball and indoor football matches. There will be football field and tennis courts around the hall. Future plans include another sports tourist complex with golf course, spa, horseback riding centre and trade centre. Besides the famous local church, St. Trinity, there are many historical, architectural, and cultural monuments in Bansko, including the houses of many famous Bulgarians from the period of the Bulgarian Revival. These include the Velyanova House, Neofit Rilski Museum-house, Nikola Vaptsarov Museum-house and the Poetry and Arts house, Local men dress as Koukeri on January 1st and chase away evil spirits from the streets of Bansko. Other prominent events include Easter and Christmas concerts. A number of additional services, such as paragliding, games, and competitions may be available locally.