INDEPENDENT BULGARIAN ESTATE AGENTS

From December to March, Balkan Holidays, First Choice, Neilson and Crystal all offer cheap one- and two-week ski holidays at the Rhodope resort of Pamporovo, where British tourists make up about 75 percent of the foreign guests, and Borovets in the Rila Mountains, where they account for a staggering ninety percent. Bansko in the Pirin range Is more international but only on offer from Balkan Holidays, while Malyovitsa in the Rila Mountains and Mount Vitosha outside Sofia aren't featured at all. While skiing rules, snowboarding increasingly popular at the three main resort. The cost of the packages depends on date (Christmas, New Year and mid-February are the most expensive times), the type and standard of accommodation (hotel or chalet) and fees for lessons, equipment and lift passes. For example, seven nights at Borovets cost between £300 and £350 from Balkan Holidays, £250-440 from Inghams, and £350-440 from Crystal, while their respective ski "packs" are £100, £95 and £90.

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