Properties For Sale In or Close to Bulgarian Ski Resorts
There are 4 main ski areas in Bulgaria - Bansko in the Pirin mountains, Borovets in the Rila mountains, Vitosha mountain on the edge of Sofia and Pamporovo, in the Rhodope mountains. All have under gone tremendous development, far too much in most cases, while the ski areas themselves have yet to really develop in line with any of the major European resorts in say France, Austria or Italy. If considering purchasing in any of the ski areas you need to be VERY careful, do your research and make sure you visit the region before putting down any money on an apartment or other property there or signing any contract. There are also a number of smaller ski areas with just a couple of runs. These tend to mainly cater for Bulgarians but are great for a weekend in the snow.
BANSKO
Bansko tends to be the most popular of the ski areas in Bulgaria. This is mainly because of all the hype and coverage it has received in the British press and the huge amount of development that has turned the small, quaint farming village into Benidorm in the Mountains! There are hundreds, or more likely thousands of new apartments, hotels, complexes, all vying to get purchasers to invest in their development. There are rumours of some developments being built without proper planning, others being built to a poor standard and many are totally overpriced.
Autumn
2006
Winter 2008
However, that said the old part of Bansko is lovely with cobbled streets and traditional Bulgarian architecture and some fantastic Mehana's. The ski area has had a fair amount of investment with some new lifts and new style electronic ticket systems. However, the main draw back at the moment, is that there is only one bubble lift up the mountains and thus there can be long queues. There is also a shortage of parking around the main lift and not actually that many restaurants on the mountain and basically none around base of gondola except pizza bar charging extortionate prices (nearly 10 quid for 3 beers and a coffee). You need to walk into town and that is not easy with skis and boots and icy busy side pathways.
We were in Bansko mid January, traditionally on of the
quietest times to go skiing and yet we still queued for nearly an hour to
catch the gondola. The only way to beat the queue was to be at the lift
station for half past 8 in the morning, but then all the hotel buses were
turning up, packed full of skiers so queue began to grow rapidly.
Once up the mountain there were no real queues for any of the chair or drag lifts.
Lift passes are priced at the same amounts for European resorts. The cost is 50 levs a day (26 Euros) plus 5 levs refundable deposit for electronic lift pass. For a week it was around 260 levs (135 Euros). I only paid 160 Euros in Austria for a week's pass which covered 3 decent ski areas.
The ski area itself is quite small and mainly suited to beginners and
intermediates, although there are a couple of steeper runs and some
off-piste can be found. The restaurants on the mountain are basically in
two areas and there is only one or two separate places to eat higher up.
You do not get any of the cozy mountain bars that you do in say Austria.
And the drinks and food are horrendously expensive for Bulgaria, on a par
with prices in some parts of Europe. For a hot chocolate or a beer it was
5 levs (2.60 Euros), a slice of pizza was a whopping 6 levs (only costs 1
lv here in Stara Zagora), and anything more extravagant like sausage and
chips or soup and bread would set you back 12 levs!
The resort is also at least a 2 and a half hour transfer from Sofia, which is the nearest airport.
The development around Bansko now stretches towards the municipality town of Razlog and around where the new golf course is being built as well as creeping closer to the nearby villages. There are serious problems with the management of these apartment blocks in many cases. The apartment block we stayed in was fairly nice on the surface and the apartments were spacious and well kitted out. But in the basement where the Jacuzzi was (which did not work for 3 days) there was damp and mold and holes in the ceiling. The restaurant was appalling and we had to wait over an hour for food and then orders were all wrong and we were the only ones eating. There was no proper ski room to dry boots and equipment, just lockers which filled with pooled water from the melted snow. There are also many stories of holiday makers renting apartments only to find the apartment block is not completed or they are put up in apartments where the owners do not even know they are being rented out.
Dobrinishte 6km away has one old chair leading to a long ski run. Kulinoto is just 2km from Predel and 12km from Razlog, close to Bansko - there are two drag lifts and plans to increase the ski area but would not hold your breathe.
Property: I do not feel I can sell property in this area with good conscience. Until there are definite plans to extend the ski area and work actually starts on this and until infrastructure is improved I do not feel Bansko is a good investment. You can read more about my earlier experiences with looking to invest in Bansko buy purchasing my eBook shown on the left.
BOROVETS
Much has been made of the Super Borovets Project but so far, despite talk for a few years, nothing much has happened. However, now there seems definite movement and thus the potential for an excellent ski resort, close to the capital and airport (with Easyjet flights from Gatwick now) and with stunning scenery.
The Super Borovets project has caused much controversy since it was first mooted. It was the brain child of the former Bulgarian King, who managed to 'regain' a lot of forested land around Borovets and the head of DZI bank was financing the project. However, the King, who was also President for a time, lost power and the bank boss was shot and the project looked in jeopardy. However, the bank boss's wife, after much deliberation, sold her share in the project to Glavbolgarstroy- the leading construction company in Bulgaria. A British investment firm, Equest, then bought a stake also. The Sultan of Oman is apparently also involved. The plan is to build a further 80km of ski runs and 15,000 extra beds and the resort would have a capacity of 30,000 to 35,000 skiers a day. At the moment the resort has around 10 or 11 ski lifts with total capacity of about 14,000 skiers a day and 17 slopes with total length of around 26 km. The Super Borovets Project aims to build 19 new slopes with total length of around 95 km. There will be three distinct new areas:
Samokov: A gondola from Samokov is to be the the first new lift and work has already begun on this just outside Samokov town. A long ski trail will allow skiers to ski back down to this new 'lower Borovets'. Various chalets and new developments will be built in the designated area around the new gondola station. The company behind the Super Borovets project own a fair amount of land around the gondola, so ensuring this area will be developed. The ground breaking ceremony for this first new Gondola was on the 8th October 2007. The first phase (40km of new runs) is expected to be completed within around 2 years. New hotels and apartments and infrastructure will the follow, to avoid the problems and over development that Bansko has suffered from.
New Borovets: A new gondola will then join the area designated for the golf course and new luxury hotel and chalet area, although you will not be able to ski back to this area. The gondola will connect this new village to the main ski area, via a middle station, just down from the current resort centre. The area for this new village is right in the mountains with stunning views. Within the current resort, lifts will be improved and new ski runs created. A reservoir will be constructed to improve snow making capacity and new sports centres and eco trails built. Again the Super Borovets company own large plots of land around the new gondola station and so development here is guaranteed.
Beli Iskar Area: The village of Beli Iskar lies in the mountains very close to Samokov and Borovets and has already seen a few new houses and small apartment blocks being built. On the plans for the Super Borovets project there is a new lift and ski runs connecting the village to the main Borovets area. However, the Super Borovets company does not own any land in this area and so this will likely be the last area to be connected to the current resort and is not as guaranteed as the two areas above. That said it is very beautiful and only a short 15 minute drive to the main resort centre or a 10 minute drive to where new Samokov Gondola will be.
The nearby villages of Goverdartsi and Madzhare are also very pretty and only a 5 minute drive from Beli Iskar and 10 minutes from Samakov.
To date Borovets has also under gone some development but not on the scale of Bansko and as it is a purpose built resort, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by forests, the new apartments and hotels are not as obvious as around Bansko. Borovets itself is a small collection of old communist style hotels and newer, smaller hotels with some new apartment blocks very close to the ski lifts. It is quite a tacky place with Karaoke bars, English style pubs and a couple of strip bars. Walking up the main road with all the bars is a fight to avoid people trying to entice you into their bar and you will struggle to find anywhere serving traditional Bulgarian food and not pizza, steak and chips or English breakfast! But that said it is a cheerful, fairly lively place, but again expensive with daily lift passes being 55 levs and food and drink much more expensive than else where in Bulgaria.
The ski area at Borovets is currently only suited for beginners and intermediates and there is little to challenge a decent skier or boarder. There is no snowboard park and he lifts are mainly old chair lifts and drags. There are two separate areas connected by a fairly flat track - the area served by the 2 chair lifts in front of the large Rila hotel and the area served by the Gondola and then a four man chair and drag lifts. The resort is less than an hour from Sofia airport and only an hour and a half from Plovdiv airport.
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Chalet Rila Apartments in Beli
Iskar Chalet Rila will contain 36 apartments over four floors and the basement area will contain leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, and a car park. There will be studio, 1 bed, 2 bed or penthouse/duplex style apartments. All will be finished to a high standard and the meterage you buy is the actual size of the apartment, NOT including the common parts as often happens. Situated in the stunning village of Beli Iskar where new lifts and ski runs are proposed linking the village to Borovets, these apartments will provide an excellent winter or summer base. The scenery is magnificent and the village has shops, bars and cafes. It is only 10 minutes drive from Samokov and 15 minutes from the current Borovets ski resort. The company behind the development is British run, set up by 6 like minded individuals who originally looked to buy land and build their own ski chalets. They have already nearly completed one small apartment complex in Beli iskar which is all sold out. Chalet Rila is expected to get underway in Spring 2008 and complete summer 2009. Price: From around 42,000 Euros No Commission to Buyer |
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Chamkoria Chalets & Apartments,
Borovets Chamkoria Chalets is a luxury development of 10 ski chalets (now all sold) and 44 apartments located in the mountain resort of Borovets. It is set in the exclusive Super Borovets area and just 250m from the new mountain golf course and ski lift. The complex has a spectacular location set in a secluded meadow and surrounded by age old pine trees. All the properties have magical views of pine forests and mountain peaks. The launch of the Super Borovets project will transform the area and result in large property price increases. This new development is right next door to where the new Borovets village will be built with a ski gondola to the existing resort and a new golf course. I have visited the plot and it is truly a magnificent settings amongst the mountains and forests but with 360 degree views all around. The photos I took on the left do not really do it justice. This area will be much more exclusive than the tacky, English themed centre of the current Borovets and as the area is heavily forested, over development will not be possible. The downside is you will not be able to ski back to your apartment but will be able to catch the gondola or get the shuttle bus. The gondola is expected to be constructed in 2009 and so there will about a year from when the apartments are completed to when the gondola opens, when you will have to rely on the shuttle bus to the main Borovets ski area (about a 15 minute drive). Complex facilities: • 250m to Super Borovets ski lift and mountain golf course • Lobby & 24 hour reception • Indoor swimming pool • Sauna • Jacuzzi • Shop • Café/bistro • Ski store • Satellite TV Connections • 24 hour security • Secure Entrance/Exit • On site parking • Private shuttle bus to ski slopes • Property and rental management on-site (English managed) Specification: General Construction Works • a monolithic reinforced concrete construction with brick walls • floor slabs – reinforced concrete • roof slab with hydro isolation • roof – roof tiles, water gutters and other tin works • external heat isolation • interior walls - as per approved architectural project • plastering – outer and inner • joinery - polyvinyl chloride (PVC) • exterior access way, facades and roof – as per approved architectural project • open-air parking lot, greenery • double glazing Finishing Works Entrance Hall • Floor – cement finish with ceramic floor tiles • Walls – gypsum plastering and latex painting Kitchen • Floor – cement finish, ceramic floor tiles • Walls – gypsum plastering and latex painting • Block dressers with a built-in washbasin and hot-plates Living room • Floor – cement finish, laminated floor • Walls – gypsum plastering and latex paint finish • Fireplace as per architectural plan Bedrooms • Floor – cement finish, laminated floor • Walls – gypsum plastering and latex paint finish Bathrooms • Floor – ceramic floor tiles • Walls – ceramic tiles • Sanitary ware – toilet, washbasin, washbasin tap • Bath-tub or shower – as per approved architectural design • A choice of 3 ceramic styles will be available Payment Plan: Reservation Fee: 1,500 Euro Payment Schedule: (Standard) • 30% - at Preliminary Contract • 30% - at completion of first floor level • 30% - at completion of roof level • 10% - at completion of building and before notary transfer of title deed Payment Schedule: (3% discount) • 90% - at Preliminary Contract • 10% - at completion of building and before notary transfer of title deed Prices include VAT and the full value is declared on the title deed. Maintenance Fee: 9 euro per m2 per annum Construction Start Date: December 2007 Construction Completion: 28 February 2009 Optional Items: A range of optional furniture packs will be provided closer to the completion date. Price: From around
45,500 Euros for apartments. No Commission to Buyer |
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Renovated 2 Bedroom Apartment in
Samokov This recently renovated apartment is in a good area of Samokov and only minutes from the new gondola station and a short 5 minute drive to the main ski area. It has 73 sqm of living space with 2 bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen with dining area, a lounge and a bathroom and toilet. Price: 48,500 Euros (plus commission) |
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Spacious House in Dolna Banya
Spa Resort This spacious 3 storey house is in Dolna Banya and is 18 km from Borovets ski resort, and 77 km from Sofia. 5 km away from the property there are hotels and rehabilitation centres with indoor swimming pools. The property has 144 sq m total built up area
over two floors comprising of entrance hall, kitchenette with dining
area and 2 rooms on the first and the second floors, bathroom/WC and
spacious cellar on the basement. The house has 2 south facing
balconies (10 sq m each) and benefits from a loft space that can be
made into additional accommodation. The property sits on 430 sq m plot
of land with a few grape vines on a pergola. The house is on an
asphalt road and has electricity, water mains, cable TV and landline
telephone/internet connections. Price: 52,000 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Large 2 bedroom apartment in
Samokov This 4th floor apartment covers 112sqm of living space and comprises of a dining room/kitchen, bathroom, living area, a large bedroom and another bedroom. It is a new build penthouse apartment so requires finishing as most new build apartments in Bulgaria do. You will need to tile and fit appliances in the bathroom, fit the kitchen, put on internal doors and place flooring in all rooms and on the terraces. You are basically buying a blank canvas. It is wired and has all plumbing and access to cable TV and internet. We can easily arrange local tradesmen to complete the apartment to a high standard. The apartment has 3 balconies offering views of the nearby pine forest, Samokov, Borovets Ski slopes and the surrounding mountain peaks. There is parking to the rear of the property. It is in a quiet part of Samokov town but within walking distance of the town centre and only a couple of minutes drive from the new Gondola station from Samokov. Price: 52,000 Euros (plus commission) [A one bedroom penthouse apartment on the 4th floor in the same block is also available with 100sqm at 50,000 E and an older apartment, in good condition and fully completed with 90sqm in a different apartment block for 52,000 E] |
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Lovely Villa in Beautiful Area
15 mins drive from Borovets This villa is in the village of Mala Tsurkva, next door to Madzhare village (see above). The house is 120sq.m. and the yard is 900sq.m. There is mains water supply and electricity and local heating. On the first level, there is a living room, kitchen and storage. On the second level there are two bedrooms, living room, bathroom and toilet. The house benefits from a very good and sunny terrace, with beautiful views to the Rila mountains. The access is by asphalt road, cleaned regularly from snow in the winter. There is a natural spring in the yard. It is situated at the base of the Rila mountains, about 10 minutes drive to Samokov, 5 minutes to Beli Iskar and 15 minutes drive to Borovets ski resort. The area is being slowly developed for eco-tourism and skiing holidays. Price: 70,000 Euros (plus commission) |
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3 Bedroom Fully Furnished
Apartment in Samokov This apartment is in a quiet area of Samokov, close to the forest but still only a short walk into the town centre. It is in good condition and comes fully furnished with all appliances and fittings. So your holiday home is ready to move into. Each room has access to a balcony with views to the forest and mountains. There is 140sqm of living space with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen/dining area, 2 bathrooms as well as a garden plot and secure garages, making it a very attractive price. There is wood parquet flooring through out and heating is by solar power and so economic to run. There are electrical boilers in the bathrooms for hot water. Whilst some of the furniture is a little dated, you have everything you need to stay in this apartment or rent it out to skiers. And with the new Gondola being built only minutes away, this will be a good investment. Price: 80,000 E (plus commission) |
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Apartment Right in the Centre of
Borovets This apartment is perfectly placed in the very heart of Borovets for those looking for a ski property at the base of the slopes and with easy access to Borovets' bars and restaurants for après ski and night life. The apartment is 63sqm and consists of a fitted kitchen with dining area, a bathroom and a bedroom and small central hall. There is a terrace over looking the car park at the back. The apartment is at the rear of the building and so should not be too noisy. Yet the position of the apartment block is excellent, being right on the main street and a minutes walk to the chair lifts and gondola station. It is situated just behind the Rila Hotel and there are shops and a small supermarket on the ground floor. This apartment would offer good rental potential. Price: 125,000 Euros (plus commission) |
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Large House for Sale in
Prodanovtsi, only 12km from Borovets ski resort Area: 400 sq m Floors: 3 Garden: 1000 sq m This large 5 bedroom new house situated in the picturesque village of Prodanovtsi, near Borovets ski resort has 400 sq m built up area with stone faced ground level and consists of: cellars; ground floor with two rooms (currently in use as GP practice), bathroom/WC and three garages one of which is suitable to park a caravan (the rooms on this floor are covered with terracotta); first floor kitchen with dining/living area, 3 good size bedrooms with a balcony, bathroom/WC and another WC, the flooring in kitchen and dining area is Spanish terracotta with under floor heating, in the bedrooms is hardwood boards. The first floor comes fully furnished. The second floor has 2 bedrooms with a balcony, large study room and bathroom/WC (this floor has not been finished, requires plastering, flooring and fitting bathroom/WC). There is a large winter garden with magnificent mountain views to the tops of the Rila mountains and unfinished fountain in the middle of it. There is asphalt road to the house, existing electricity, and radiators for central heating, drainage, water mains, telephone, cable TV and Internet connection. The house comes with 1,000 sq m fenced plot of land planted with grass and few fruit trees. With high rental potentials this property is suitable to be used as B&B or small family hotel. Very good price for such a large property so close to Borovets. Price: 135000 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Investment Opportunity - Hotel
with 4 buildings for renovation This property consists of 4 buildings, currently run as a hotel complex and has a large plot of 16,472 sqm of land. It is only 10 km from Borovets ski slopes and so an excellent investment for modernisation into a luxury hotel or apartment complex. There are spa resorts and golf courses close by and with the Super Borovets project and expansion of the ski area and tourist facilities, further accommodation will be required in the area. Price: 690,000 Euros (plus commission) |
PAMPOROVO
Pamporovo is the lowest of the Bulgarian ski resorts and thus famed for being the sunniest. I skied there once when I was very young and always remember it has a fantastic ski holiday. That said it has changed a lot and again there has been much new development and prices can still be artificially high. Pamporovo suffers from not having a proper centre or town and just being a collection of hotels and apartments in the trees and with lifts going from various areas, it has a very disjointed feel to it. It really caters for beginners and intermediates. There is nothing to really challenge a decent skier. But it is only an hour and half from Plovdiv airport and it is a very pretty area, good for walking in the summer as well. There are many pretty mountain villages not far from the ski resort, offering the opportunity to purchase a lovely holiday home suitable for skiing in the winter and relaxing and walking in the summer.
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Large Semi Detached House 20km from Pamporovo Area: 180 sq m Floors: 2 Garden: 500 sq m This large stone house is located in a village only 20 km away from Pamporovo ski resort. The village is very developed with central sewage system. The house is a two-storey building with 5 huge rooms and is semi-detached. The ground floor consists of spacious storage rooms which easily can be turned into a living space. The house is in a good condition and has internal staircase. The garden is a good size at about 500 sq.m. and has marvellous panoramic views. Price: 22,000 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Old House for Renovation 10km from Pamporovo Area: 90 sq m Floors: 2 Garden: 300 sq m A fairly cheap house given it is only 10 km from
the ski resort of Pamporovo. The property is located in the central
Rhodopi Mountains. It is 4 km away from the popular village of
Momchilovtsi and 11 km from the local admin centre Smolyan. The
village is located on the main road from Pamporovo to Smolyan and is
on the crossroad to Momchilovtsi and the fast developing Spa resort
Banite. |
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Two Houses on one Plot 39km from Pamporovo Area: 205 sq m Floors: 3 Garden: 780 sq m The village of Mihalkovo situates in the heart
of Rhodopi Mountain near the small Spa town of Devin and close to
Pamporovo ski resort. The village is well known for its naturally
fizzy mineral water with exceptional good taste. The village consists
of 4 hamlets with about 100 houses (400 residents) and has a
restaurant, 6-7 small shops, school, dentist, GP, small pharmacy shop,
petrol station, lido, pure crisp mountain air, plenty of sunshine,
stunning views and many keen local and visiting anglers. The village
is well positioned along the river Vacha near the lakes Vacha and
Krichim: paradise for the anglers. Situating at 670 m above sea level
in mountain and ecologically clean area with variety of dense forests
and lush meadows, abundant with wildlife and game, mineral springs,
natural beauty spots, caves, manmade and natural lakes, brooks and
rivers with secluded places for sunbathing and swimming and above all
breathtaking views. |
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Large, 3 storey house 12km from Pamporova A typical, large Bulgarian house in a mountain village close to the ski resort and Smoylan. It requires renovation but has a new roof. There are excellent views and the village is quiet and peaceful. It is in the centre of the village. Price: 30,000 Euros (plus commission) |
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Newly Restored Traditional Stone House 25km from
Ski Resort Area: 160 sq m Floors: 2 Garden: 500 sq m This newly restored traditional stone house is
situated 25 km from the ski resort of Pamporovo and 12 km from the
town of Devin, a spa centre. The place is on cross roads to well known
and popular tourist destinations in the area: Shiroka Laka with its
folk festival, Trigrad with its passage to the underworld: Dyavolskoto
Garlo (the Devil Throat) cave, Yagodina and the same named cave. There
are great views from the village where one can see the TV tower on
peak Snezhanka and the surrounding area. Price: 32,500 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Stone Built House Suitable for 2 Apartments 21km
from Pamporovo The house itself is very attractive as an investment opportunity, due to its close location to Pamporovo ski resort. The house is of solid stone and trimmer joists construction. The total built up area is more than 150 sq m over 2 floors, not to mention the cellar. On both floors there are 3 rooms and a spacious corridor. With 2 separate entrances the house can be converted into two 2 self contained flats if required. The property is supplied with electricity, water and telephone. The building sits on a 2,000 sq m plot of land where there is also a stone outbuilding in very good condition. The house requires renovation such as installation of indoor WC and bathroom, new kitchen, new windows and internal decoration. Price: 39,500 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Large House with Large Plot 24km from Pamporovo Area: 200 sq m Floors: 1 Garden: 2200 sq m The property is in good condition and is easily accessible via an asphalt road which is passable all the year. The house has 4 really huge rooms and another 2 and is surrounded by pine trees. The internal area is 200 sq.m. and the external one is 2200 sq.m. The location of the house is great for developing rural tourism and skiing as well. The property has a fantastic panoramic view and it is very close to the famous Svoboda (Freedom) peak. There is an opportunity for buying at least a further 2000 sq.m. land. Price: 63,000 Euros (Plus commission) |
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Small Hotel 5km from Pamporovo Area: 280 sq. meters Floors: 2 Garden: 360 sq. meters This new family hotel is suited in the heart of beautiful Rhodope mountains in the towm of Chepelare, 1200m above the sea level, located only 5 miles (9 kilometers) from the ski resort of Pamporovo. The hotel has 6 separate rooms and restaurant area and bar with 45sq.m2 with views to the mountains. Plovdiv is only 70 km (44miles) away. There is a ski run called Mechi Chall only 3 kilometers away (2 miles) from the hotel. Price: 134,950 Euros (No Commission) |
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Large Luxury House for Sale 20km from Pamporovo
Ski Resort Area: 248 sq m Floors: 3 Garden: 300 sqm The property is 248 square meters of built up area over 3 levels and is situated in the villa area of the village of Hvoyna which is exceptionally beautiful and peaceful place for relaxation. The roof is manually produced of galvanized sheet iron. The windows are traditional for the region, made of wood with wooden blinds that provide warmth in winter and coolness in summer. The first floor is with two separate entrances and is unfurnished. It consists of a kitchen, hall, bedroom, living-room and bath-room and toilet that are completely equipped. The total area of the first floor is 64 square meters. The walls are plastered and painted. The second and third floors are completely furnished.. They are connected by internal stairs of marble and wood. The kitchen is equipped with electric oven, refrigerator and boiler for hot water. Directly to it, there is a small living-room with a table, sofa and chairs. On this floor there are two balconies, one of which is 10 square meters (with an opportunity for a table for 4-5 people and beautiful view to the yard of the house and to the village) and the other is of 4 square meters and both have marble floor and wood-carved railings. There is a separate bathroom on this floor. The total area of the second floor is 92 square meters. There are two bedrooms situated on the third floor that are completely furnished in Rodopi style. The ceilings are faced with wood. Each of the rooms has two big beds that are decorated with wood-carving. There is a separate toilet and bath-room with a bath on this floor. There is again a big balcony. The total area of the third floor is 62 square meters. The yard of the house is carefully planted with trees and shrubs and is maintained with an area of around 300 square meters. The yard is on two levels that are connected with wide stairs. There is also a garage of 18 square meters and the house possesses an alarm installation. Price: 140000 Euros (Plus commission) |
VITOSHA MOUNTAIN
Most of the development around Sofia focuses on city dwellings and business areas. The area around the ski resort of Vitosha (although to call it a resort might be stretching it a little) is very expensive and many of the wealthier Bulgarians who work in the city own property here. The ski area itself is fairly small with just 6 runs and access is only by road to the small car park and where there are one or two old hotels and a couple of antiquated chair lifts. I have only visited the area in autumn but it is a popular place for a day's skiing for Sofians but lacks the infrastructure and après ski for tourists.
I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ANY PROPERTIES FOR SALE AROUND VITOSHA THAT I COULD RECOMMEND
SMALLER SKI AREAS
Buzludzha
Buzludzha is a small ski area in the Balkans, just up from Kazanlak. There is no direct access from down in the valley and you have to drive to the top (4 wheel drive or snow chains advised). There you will find 2 poma lifts and a couple of smaller drag lifts with 2 or 3 main runs and maybe a couple of kilometres of pistes. The area is really for locals to pop up to on a weekend to get in a little skiing but it is a quiet place with a couple of hotels (one recently renovated and one not) and a basic hostel with dormitory style beds. The hotels are around 25 levs a night (13 Euros) and the hostel was 10 levs a bed (5 Euros) with cooking facilities and proper bathrooms. The area opens fully (depending on snow) just before Christmas and is quiet during the week but can get busier Sunday afternoons. Lovely place in the summer also for walks and cycling.
Property: Villages around Kazanlak ideal for nipping up the mountain. Look at the Yagoda and Magleesh areas and Kazanlak areas on the left.
Chepalare & Momchilovitsi
Located only a 10km kilometres from Pamporovo, the town of Chepalare itself lacks any real charm, although the position and scenery are lovely. Just outside the town there is one old chair lift with a couple of pistes down from it and a few drag lifts at the top. It boasts the longest ski run in Bulgaria (around 5 km long) and another of around 3km long. The height at the top lift station is 1873 metres. More information can be found here.
Momchilovitsi is is 12km from Pamporovo and boasts a snowboard park a few kilometres away from the village. I have never been personally but understand it costs around 20 levs a day for lift pass and board hire.
Uzana
Located on the north side of Balkans, not far from Gabrovo, this is a small ski area, with a few hostels and the odd hotel. You can see details here. I visited this small ski area at New Year 2007/2008 and was sorely disappointed. It is really a collection of old run down hostels and a couple of newer hotels, all very spread out and up single lane, icey roads. It seems to take an age of driving up a windy, snowy and icey road from Gabrovo (about 15 to 20km) to reach the 'resort', but then you really have to choose which small icey lane to go up to get to which hostel or hotel. Each hostel or hotel has a small drag lift near it and this is the extent of the ski area. The runs are all very spread out and are short and there are 6 or so of them. You cannot ski or really walk from one to another. There is a longer run with a rope tow but how to access this run was not very apparent and we simply past it on the road up. I cannot comment on the hire 'shops' as we did not bother to ski or snowboard but to use one small drag lift was 7 levs for the day (no discounts for half days) and the lift was not really manned or supervised.
Property: Houses close to Gabrovo and on road leading up to Uzana would be suitable for this area.
Lake Batak (Tsigov chark)
Another small ski area mainly used by Bulgarians and suitable really for beginners and boarders. There is some development going on in this area, including a new hotel with its own private ski runs, but nothing like the scale of Bansko.
Others
There are a number of other ski areas around Bulgaria, mainly in the Rila mountains. 17km from Belitsa you will find Semkovo with 7 runs (around 4km in total) serviced by 8 drag lifts and fairly developed tourism for a small ski area. Malyovitsa is 27km from Samokov and has 5 drag lifts, Govedartsi is situated just 80 kilometers from Sofia and only 26km from Borovets, Panichishte has around 5 runs and is on the edge of the Rila National Park.
On the north of the Balkans, Berkovitsa 89km from Sofia currently only has a couple of drag lifts but there are plans to extend the ski area to around 20km of runs with a cabin lift. Parshevitsa is 25km from Vratsa and has one run.
Commission is usually 500 Euros or 3% of purchase price, which ever is higher, but depends on the agent.
Please note that I try to keep all property details current but as I work with a number of agents and contacts and the property market is fairly dynamic, it maybe that some of the houses detailed are sold or prices have changed.