They are not a nation. They are a "tribe". While tourists come for a week and leave, there is one group that is quietly but surely taking over Bansko. These are digital nomads in Bansko. The city is now known as the "Nomad Capital of the World," and this brings people from California to Tokyo.
They don't look like skiers or drunk Brits. They're weird, they speak "corporate" language and they even take their laptops to the bathroom. The team at Vbansko presents you with 8 signs by which you can recognize members of the "Coworking sect".
8 signs that you are a digital nomad
If you see someone voluntarily entering an icy lake while talking about Bitcoin – there’s no mistake. Here’s the full profile:
1. The laptop as a limb
For the normal person, the laptop sits in the office or at home. For the nomad, it is an extension of the hand.
Everywhere. In the lift cabin (they answer emails before the summit), in the tea room on the piste (between two runs), at the pool, and even on a park bench. The most important question for them is not "How much snow is there?", but "How many megabits is the upload?".
2. Barefoot Shoes
Nomads are obsessed with optimizing their health. This often leads to strange fashion decisions.
If you see someone walking around in winter with shoes that look like socks with separate toes (so-called Barefoot shoes), or walking around in socks in a shared office space (Coworking) – that’s our kind of person. They believe that this connects them to the earth (even when the ground is covered in mud).
3. The Secret Language: Crypto, Dropshipping, Funnels
If you sat at their table, you might think they were speaking an alien language. The conversations weren't about women, cars, or football.
The topics are: „"How's your crypto portfolio?", "Have you scaled your dropshipping?", "I'm burned out and need a digital detox"“. The word Community (community) is mentioned an average of 50 times per hour.
4. The ice bath ritual (Wim Hof method)
Locals in Bansko drink rakia to keep warm. Digital nomads jump into ice vats to "hack their immune systems.".
On Sunday mornings you will see groups of people in swimsuits entering the icy waters of some mountain pool or special bathtubs in the courtyard of the coworking space, breathing heavily. For Grandma Deshka from the house next door, this is madness, for them it is „Biohacking“.
5. Board games instead of a disco
While the British and Serbs are rocking “Happy End” and “Amigos,” the nomads have a different idea of a party.
They gather in the lobby to play „Catan,“ „Dixit,“ or „Dungeons & Dragons.“ They drink craft beer or kombucha, and are capable of arguing for 4 hours about the rules of the game. It’s their version of a „wild party.“.
6. Coffee snobbery
Don't try to offer them a "Schwarz" or regular espresso. They're looking for "Specialty Coffee.".
You will recognize them by the questions: „"Is this Arabica from Ethiopia?", "Do you have a V60 filter?", "Can it be made with oat milk?"“. They are the reason why there are more and more places in Bansko for really quality coffee.
7. The strange work schedule
They are not on vacation, but they are not at work (in the classic sense) either.
You might see them skiing on Tuesday mornings when the slopes are empty and working on Saturday nights when everyone else is partying. They live in their own time zone, often geared towards clients from the US or Asia.
8. Cats and Dogs (Nomad Pets)
Many digital nomads They travel with pets. But not a dog on a leash, but a cat in a special space backpack with a window. Their animals are more social than most people and are an integral part of the interior of coworking spaces.
Worlds collide: Nomads vs. Locals vs. Tourists
| Category | Classic Tourist | Digital Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Main accessory | Skiing / Snowboarding | MacBook Pro |
| Drink | Mulled wine / Beer | Matcha Latte / Kombucha |
| Entertainment | Tavern with live music | Board Game Night |
| Shoes | Ski boots | “Barefoot” (or barefoot) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Bansko the “capital” of nomads?
The combination is unique: low taxes (10% in Bulgaria), very cheap apartment rentals (especially outside the ski season), a beautiful mountain and most importantly – an already established, huge community (Coworking Bansko) that organizes events every day.
What is Bansko Nomad Fest?
It's an annual festival in the summer that brings together hundreds of nomads from all over the world. The city fills up with speakers, entrepreneurs, and parties in the park, turning into the Silicon Valley of the Balkans for a week.
Conclusion: Digital nomads may seem like a strange “sect” with their ice baths and strange terms, but they are the ones who keep Bansko alive in the spring, summer and fall. They are the new “tribe” of the town and, frankly, they throw the best board game parties.
🌍 Who's who in Bansko?
That was just one piece of the puzzle. Do you want to see the full, colorful picture of all the tourists in the resort?
English (UK)