When the snowman brings the snow…

It is that time of year again, you dig out your less than comfy ski boots from the back of the cupboard, the kids get excited about making snowmen, and with winter drawing in it is time to book your ski trip. Whereas 5 years ago your choice would have been simple, you flick to ‘A’ for Alps in your ski brochure and you are on your way, however today the opportunities for ski trips are endless including the opportunity to purchase your own ski property overseas. If it is value for money you are looking for and a family resort suitable for the little dare devils then Bulgaria is your number one choice, especially for purchasing your second home.

There are three major ski resorts: Borovets, Bansko and Pamporovo, but the larger two - Borovets and Bansko are probably slightly better set up for young families. Each has ski kindergartens and nursery slopes, with Bansko even having ‘a children’s run!’ These two resorts also have day nurseries for the non-skiers, with Borovets offering a nanny service for babies as young as six months old!

Keeping the children (and adults) amused after a day on the slopes shouldn’t be a problem either as après ski is well taken care of. All three resorts have swimming pools and bowling alleys, along with numerous bars and restaurants. Bansko has almost 100 restaurants offering all types of food: pizzas from £2.50, a three-course meal from around £6; coffee and tea from 50p; bottle of beer from 80p. Compare that with the same in the Alps! Similarly you can get a full ski pack in the resort of Borovets, which includes ski and boot hire, lift pass and ski school for around £155 for six days.

After seeing the prices above, you won’t be surprised to learn that in a recent survey Bulgaria was named Europe’s cheapest tourism destination. The area’s attraction is becoming obvious to an increasing number of overseas investors. Property prices continue to rise by as much 25% to 30% in some instances in the last few years, though prices are still three to four times lower than other European states. Investing in your own ski property not only offers value for money and gives somewhere for your friends and family to visit each year, it also presents the opportunity to build a financial nest-egg for your children for their future wealth.

“The Bulgarian ski resorts offer excellent affordable opportunities for a family to invest in property.” comments Qasir Ali. “With low cost airlines already operating flights to the area and with more planned for the 2006/2007 season, it is also very accessible. Plus, the short transfer times to the resorts are perfect for parents who find it hard to keep the kids amused on long trips, with the journey from Sofia to Borovets just 1½ hours.”

Now is a great time to buy a ski property too as the government has plans to invest over one billion Lev (circa £355 million) over the next three years, enlarging the Bulgarian ski resorts with 140km of ski tracks and the addition of sports fields, tennis courts, riverside parks and a horse riding centre amongst other things. The intention is to transform the region into a year-round resort thus increasing rental opportunities for property investors.

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