Skiing Brits find eastern property promise in Bulgaria

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