| Traditionally, the Alps have been the mainstay of | | | | continues to attract a younger, more open |
| the European winter sports industry. Whilst the | | | | minded and adventurous crowd, and at prices |
| traditional Alpine nations of France, Switzerland | | | | that are up to ten times less than those in |
| and Austria are still the most popular ski | | | | France, it's not surprising that Bulgaria is growing in |
| destinations for the Brits, the cost of ski property | | | | popularity every year. |
| in these countries has risen beyond most people's | | | | Bansko, probably Bulgaria's most famous ski |
| reach. This has led to a gap in the market for | | | | resort, has seen impressive development of the |
| more reasonably priced ski property, and this is a | | | | ski area over the last five years, with extensive |
| gap that Eastern Europe - and Bulgaria in particular | | | | new lift systems being built offering even more |
| - has neatly filled. | | | | terrain, and several new apartment buildings going |
| As the stigma attached to the former communist | | | | up. Unlike in France, where a one bedroom |
| countries of Eastern Europe has slowly | | | | apartment would cost anywhere from 150,000 |
| disappeared, the stable political atmosphere and | | | | Euros upwards, ski property in Bansko can be |
| the booming investment in such countries has | | | | secured for around 40,000 Euros, and with an |
| become very appealing to the British buyer. And | | | | impressive 18 hole golf course near by, |
| let's not forget the ski resorts themselves; | | | | apartments can offer investors year round rental |
| though not quite as high or extensive as the Alps, | | | | potential. |
| the Rila Mountains (which are part of the Balkans' | | | | And other Bulgarian ski resorts are following |
| highest range) rise to a very respectable 2925m | | | | Bansko's lead; Borovets, Bulgaria's oldest winter |
| and offer numerous cosy villages and plenty of | | | | resort is the biggest and most modern in the |
| comfortable accommodation. | | | | country. Situated in the Mousla ridge of the Rila |
| At one time, Bulgaria was famed as a bargain | | | | range it's seen new expansion of the lift system |
| basement ski destination, with rickety lifts from a | | | | and new apartment developments. |
| bygone soviet era; it was cheap and cheerful, but | | | | Pamporovo, one of the most modern ski resorts |
| not somewhere that serious skiers would visit. | | | | in Bulgaria, is characterised by rounded mountains |
| However, the multi-million Euro investment in the | | | | and wooded slopes, which make it ideal for |
| country have put Bulgaria on the piste map as a | | | | learners but more challenging pistes do exist - |
| respectable destination for snow sports | | | | such as the Giant Slalom run - and the resort's |
| enthusiasts. | | | | most difficult slope "The Wall". Again, off plan |
| The clientele of the Bulgarian mountains differs a | | | | studio or one/two bedrooms apartments can be |
| little from those of the Alps; you won't find many | | | | secured for similar prices to those in Bansko and |
| fur-clad ski-snobs (who rarely venture from their | | | | Borovets, which is much lower than in Western |
| Anglicised strongholds such as Val D'isere or | | | | Europe. |
| Meribel), on the Bulgarian slopes. Instead Bulgaria | | | | |