| Bulgaria is cementing its lead as an | | | | the Brits; other prominent ski areas such as |
| investment property hotspot for skiers and | | | | Borovetz and Pamporovo are also attracting |
| snowboarders looking to own a slice of the | | | | interest. Borovets is Bulgaria's oldest ski |
| slopes. The country's recent accession in the | | | | resort which dates back to 1896 and offers |
| EU, together with the low prices and | | | | pistes up to 2600m above sea level. |
| plentiful property facilitated by the | | | | Pamporovo's claim to fame comes in the form |
| building boom, are leading many British | | | | of its weather, and it's said to be the |
| skiers and snowboarders to leapfrog their | | | | sunniest ski resort in Bulgaria. |
| traditional favourite ski spots in France, | | | | |
| Switzerland and Austria, in favour of | | | | There are also around a dozen other less well |
| Bulgaria's more modestly priced mountains. | | | | known ski areas in the country, such as |
| | | | Vitosha, Semkovo and Uzana, which are |
| The boom in property development in | | | | currently more geared towards local weekend |
| Bulgaria's best resorts have meant that brand | | | | skiers rather than the international snow |
| new ski apartments can be snapped up for less | | | | sports market, but these are likely to grow |
| than £30K. These low prices, combined with | | | | in size in the coming years. The new |
| the preventive costs of getting on to the | | | | development around Razlog is getting property |
| British property ladder, means that many | | | | investors excited as it will be combining a |
| young buyers are choosing Bulgaria for either | | | | ski area with an 18 hole PGA golf course just |
| investment property, a holiday home or a way | | | | 4km from Bansko, and is likely to attract a |
| of generating some extra income through | | | | lot of interest from British buyers. |
| rental returns. | | | | |
| | | | Though other European nationals have showed |
| As Bulgaria's premier ski resort, with the | | | | interest in buying property in Bulgaria, the |
| best snow record and longest ski season (mid | | | | British are leading the charge with an |
| December to mid may), Bansko has become the | | | | estimated 40,000 Britons now owning property |
| most popular location for British property | | | | in the country. And it's not just snow |
| investors to purchase. Previously perceived | | | | seekers who are looking to buy; the Black Sea |
| by some as being a budget ski destination, | | | | beach resorts are also attracting adventurous |
| the $40 million investment in Bansko mean | | | | Brits searching for a Bulgarian property |
| that in terms of size and facilities, the | | | | investment with a healthy dose of sun and |
| resort is now competing with other more | | | | sea; the most popular places to buy are |
| established favourites in Western Europe. | | | | around the Varna area, in towns such as |
| | | | Kavarna and Albena Beach. |
| However, it's not just Bansko that's big with | | | | |