Once hampered by limited low-cost flights from the UK and a poorly surfaced road running from the international airport near Sofia, Bansko-bound Brits will now find the journey far less problematic.

Phil Grimes, of Select Property Overseas, explains the improvements as follows: "With the introduction of the lowcost airlines to the Bulgarian market and the ongoing upgrade of the Sofia to Bansko road, the resort has never been more accessible. The journey to the heart of the resort takes two hours from the capital city's, airport which is open all year round." "Bansko is surprisingly easy to get to," adds Christophe Gater of New Estates. "I recently drove from Sofia to Bansko and it's best to exit Sofia from the south and initially follow signs to Kulata, which is in Bulgaria but on the border with Greece. This will lead you onto the new motorway (E79) that is now 90 per cent finished. Soon enough, Bansko is signposted, which makes it much easier than it used to be."

It's not just access to the resort that has changed. Compared to just three years ago, Bansko itself is also greatly altered. Today, a modern, attractive Alpine-style resort rings the historic heart of Bansko, which retains great charm with its traditional architecture of wooden facades and thick stone walls lining maze-like cobbled streets. "The town is linked to the slopes by an eight-person gondola lift," reports Grimes. "It is the only resort where you can literally ski from the top of the mountain to your front door in some developments," says Grimes.

Whichever way you carve it, Bansko does genuinely have a range of plus points that puts it at the top of the Bulgarian ski resort rankings. "Bansko is in direct competition with the other ski resorts of Borovets and Pamporovo," says Grimes. "But neither of these resorts is as advanced as Bansko nor has the tradition, architecture and charm of Bansko. It has placed itself firmly in position as Bulgaria's premier ski resort and with the expansion of the piste, addition of new lifts and surrounding spa towns, looks unlikely to give it up." Indeed, with 65 kilometres of piste, compared to 40 in Borovets and 25 in Pamporovo, the longest run (seven kilometres) and the greatest snow range of the three (from an altitude of 930 to 2,560 metres), Bansko has the physical capacity to both attract more skiers and hold their interest better than the other two major Bulgarian ski resort rivals – which is good news for those planning to buy-to-let in Bansko. "The Bansko main gondola takes skiers for 25 minutes two kilometres up into the mountains, but it's possible to jump off half way at the first stop," explains Gater. "There is a ski track open that allows skiers to return (skiing) back to Bankso and a barrage of snow canons ensure this is kept open right up until the end of the season. There are 90 kilometres of ski runs, but only 65 kilometres are in use at any one time due to maintenance and conditions.

"Ski facilities are ultra modern and many are often surprised by the similarity to the 'best' resorts found in the Alps," he adds. But the battle of the Bulgarian ski resorts is not over yet, with the Super Borovets project designed to catapult Bansko's Rila Mountain rival to the top of the slopes. For now, though, Bansko is out in front, and with the Ian Woosnam Golf Course in neighbouring Razlog seeded and ready to play on within 18 months, Bansko looks set to cement its prime position. "Bansko is one of the few European year-round leisure property investment hotspots that can offer world-class golf and ski in a single setting," states Grimes. "This makes it an exceptional investment location within the property investment market. Since first entering the arena in 2003, Bansko has made huge progress in its transformation from small ski town to a fashionable four season resort. Progress continues to be made and this can only enhance the values of the property that is being purchased." Gater agrees: "Bansko has shown massive growth in the past 18 months. Well-selected properties have grown in value by as much as 40 per cent, especially those at the top end of the resort next to the gondola." So, does Gater recommend that those about to invest plump for the same area? "As the growth has already taken place here," he answers, "I would recommend other areas such as the more central locations in the town itself where all the après ski bars, restaurants and old cobbled streets can be found. Prices here are still around 1,000 euros per square metres and it is by far the best for those looking to achieve a rental income."

So, why choose Bansko? It's the biggest and – possibly – the best of the Bulgarian ski resorts, and a canny investment may prove to lead downhill all the way to the bank.

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Article published November 2007