Après ski in Bansko centres around the local taverns (of which there are over 100) called Mehanas. They serve tasty traditional cuisine and offer a good selection of Bulgarian wines. Once inside the ambience is warm and friendly, with open log fire, checked tablecloths and live Bulgarian folk music.

There are a couple of international après ski bars and popular haunts include Happy End and The Lions Pub. After hours the party goers head to nightclubs such as Amnesia and No Name.

Younger visitors tend to gather in the area around Nikola Vaptsarov Place to enjoy the lively bars and to sample some rakiya (plum or grape type brandy) the local firewater.

Other leisure facilities in the town include a ten pin bowling alley and ice-rink, perfect for family entertainment. Typical ski activities such as tobogganing and skidooing are also available

There are also two casinos containing the usual variety of fruit machines and roulette wheels, plus opportunities to bet on card games such as blackjack and poker.

The town itself features a good variety of local shops, while souvenir hunters would be advised to head to the historic old town. There are plenty of opportunities to shop after a day on slopes, since many establishments stay open until 8p.m.