Skiing the Peaks of Pirin
A three day ski touring program in the Northern Pirin Mountains. We’ll be based in the ski resort of Bansko and do day trips up the mountain every day. Our aim is to climb some of the most interesting peaks in Northern Pirin and ski back down.
We expect from you to be in a good physical condition, to be familiar with the parallel curves in different snow conditions – powder, slush, crust, firm snow, to have the required equipment and obtain a valid insurance for the duration of the trip. Best period: January-April.
Itinerary:
Arrival in Bansko on the previous day.
Day 1: Bansko – Polezan Peak – Bansko
Drive from Bansko to Gotse Delchev Hut, located above the village of Dobrinishte – 30 min. We’ll take the chair lift up to 2240 m at Bezbog Hut. Skin up to Mount Polezan at 2650 m and descent to Gotse Delchev Hut at 1450 m or all the way to the town of Bansko along the valley of Demyanitsa, depending on the current conditions.
Day 2: Bansko – Hvoynati Peak – Bansko
We’ll spend the day in the area of the highest peak of Pirin Mountains (Mount Vihren). Drive from Bansko to the ski zone above the town – 20 min. We skin up to Vihren Hut at 1950 m starting from 1650 m for about an hour. Our route goes further up along the valley near Muratovo Lake and finally to the top of Hvoynati Peak (2635 m) that offers a great close view towards the giant Vihren Peak. We’ve got a few options to descent according to the snow conditions. We ski back down all the way to Bansko.
Hvoynati Peak
Day 3: Bansko – Dautov Peak – Bansko
A short drive will take us to the small ski area of Kulinoto where the drag lift will pull us up to the starting point. We skin up to the top of the remote Dautov Peak at 2597 m (3 hours, +1000 m) and ski back down to 1400.
Required equipment:
*Touring skis; ski touring bindings with ski/walk mode and brakes or straps; climbing skins; ski crampons; poles; AT ski boots – with rubber sole and ski/walk mode.
*Personal Rescue Equipment – beacon, shovel, probe.
Rucksack 35-45l, water and wind proof pants and jacket with hood, 2 pairs of gloves – a tiny ones for touring and ski gloves, sun glasses, sun block, sun hat, warm hat, ski goggles, travel liner for the hut, water bottle or flask (1l), snacks, personal first aid kit.
*It is possible to rent all of the above from Sofia or Bansko, please contact us.