TODORKA REGION (BANSKO RESORT, PIRIN)

Pirin mountains are the greatest place to ski on the Balkans. I am absolutely sure in that. Here there are huge slopes with clear and beautiful lines and always fresh powder...

And since we don't have money for helies, we have to use ski lifts to access these "goodies". Thanks to this the most popular region for skiing is the region on Todorka peak, Bansko ski resort. The place is famous for great possibilities for freeride, good powder and some very nice and easily accessible x-ski routes.

Bunderitca couloirs

This is a common name for the couloirs of the Western slope of Todorka peak. They are 8 (this is the number of the main couloirs) The vertical drop of some of them is about 800-900m. "The smallest" has a vertical drop of 600m. The upper parts of the biggest couloirs (4,5,6) are quite steep and narrow. The other couloirs are wider and easier. On the lower parts of the ridges, separating them there are some huge rocks... In some of the couloirs there are also some rock drops and it is quite advisable to ski there with someone, who knows the routes very well.

What these routes are famous for is Powder...

Most popular are number 1 and 2. This is due to the fact that they are just sev. min away from the ski lift. Check out our photo galleries to sea a lot of pictures for riding along these slopes.

The Eastern Slope of Todorka

To reach the peak you have to climb a sharp ridge. It is a good idea to use crampons! The easiest and most logical way to ski the slope is through the central couloir (1) It is not very steep and narrow and is quite a good route. Measure carefully the avalanche danger, since the slope is quite exposed to winds and slabs may be present.
The second logical route is down the North Face (2). More challenging routes may be skied between the rocks between routes 2 and 1 (usually there is a very big cornicle above them).This slope provides a number of other possible routes. This is the reason, why BEFSA chose it for BANSKO 2002 and BANSKO 2003 Big Mountain Competitions.

When I wrote this I smiled, because 1000m slopes are definately worth not only "seeing"...
To the left is the Eastern face of Vihren peak - the highest in Pirin mountains. The slope has 1000 m. vertical drop and several large couloirs... It is situated above Bunderitca and Vihren huts and opposite to Todorka peak and this fact makes it one of the most popular peaks. But only for taking pictures, because its asscent is not as easy as 1-2-3 and you have to be at least "very fit" to get on top. Thanks to this fact this face is skied very seldom.
Behind Vihren (in the clouds to the right of the picture) is Kutelo I peak and its famous "Triangle" - a very desired and also very seldom skied slope..

This is a picture of "The marbel ridge of Pirin". Translated this means a sequence of almost 10 peaks higher than 2700m. And this means a lot of snow...
Since the ridge is quite difficult to reach by foot and the slopes are steep, most of the Northern faces (which you see) have never been skied...The peak at left (a little bit behind the others) is Vihren. Right after it are Kutelo I and Kutelo II. The enormous triangle at the centre of the pic is Koteshkia chal and at right is the rock formation "The Stairs"

Momchil Panayotov

If you need any further information, feel free to write to Momchil Panayotov, Travel Manager of BEFSA at travel@befsa.com or to BEFSA's e-mail: info@befsa.com.