When the ice melts

The Times, Article by Ben West, 3rd February 2006

A decent ski property can flourish in summer as well as winter

The great advantage of owning a ski property is the ability to enjoy it all the year round. When the snow and ice melt, such properties can reveal beautiful summer resorts, allowing the possibility of all-season rentals. For skiing, most people think of a chalet in France or Switzerland, yet any country with a decent-sized mountain range or two may be suitable, and indeed there are more than 2,000 ski resorts around the world.

BUDGET OPTION: BULGARIA
Low property prices and inexpensive ski passes (usually under £10 a day) make Bulgaria ideal for a budget ski property. Because of the level of challenge its slopes can offer, it is also most suitable for the occasional skier and for those with little experience. The season lasts from mid-December to late March or even late April, and there are daily flights from Britain; the low-cost airlines have not moved in yet, so fares are comparatively high.

During the summer this sparsely populated, largely rural country offers a wealth of activities such as hiking, fishing and mountain biking, as well as the fabulous beaches of the Black Sea coast. The numerous historic towns, unspoilt villages, castles and churches are also waiting to be explored.

According to research by the property investment expert Assetz, Bulgarian ski resorts offer rental returns of up to 12 per cent — because of their year-round attraction the returns are double those of their coastal counterparts.

One of the best ski resorts in Bulgaria is Bansko. Property prices here are much lower than those in the Alpine regions, so apartments have excellent letting potential. Bansko has the best snow record and longest ski season of all the Bulgarian resorts.

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