THE Christmas decorations were still on display at The Goat, the restaurant and bar atop the Pirin Mountain. But that is the norm for the early months of the new year in Bulgaria.

It is, after all, the same throughout the mountain regions of Europe where the skiing crowd burn off their post festive energy.

A number of other familiar factors were also in play: well-tended slopes, efficient ski lifts atop the mountain, a buzzing après ski crowd and range of accommodation from five star to more cheerful than luxury.

But if the Bulgarian resort of Bansko mirrored more famous resorts to the west of the continent in many ways, in one large respect the destination was turning out to be a winner: value for money.

At a fraction of the price of a week's skiing break in France or Austria, here we were enjoying good snow, marvellous views and a new flavour to add to our winter break itinerary.

Bansko was turning out to be a revelation.

We were travelling with Balkan Holidays who specialise in ski and summer breaks to Bulgaria and other Balkan destinations. Balkan Holidays organised our flights, transfers and hotel accommodation as well as superbly priced ski packages that included ski equipment hire and ski lift passes.

The choice had been made tempting by the price as well as the promised facilities. Four or five star accommodation could be had in February for less than £500 per person, often to include half board as well as flights and transfers (three hours) from Sofia airport.

With ski packages to include equipment hire and lift passes coming in at around £130 each, this was a tempting alternative to the more pricey offerings in Western Europe.

But would Bansko live up to the promise? Saving on cost would give a false economy if the ski break turned out to be a chilly damp squib.

The first impression was promising as our chosen hotel, the five star Premier Luxury Mountain Resort, was impressive from the outset. Our arrival after a late afternoon flight from Gatwick was around midnight, but the hotel had arranged for a buffet meal to be available.

Our balcony room overlooked the surrounding mountains and was well equipped with plenty of storage space, deep comfortable bed, flatscreen TV mini bar and bath shower room. Robes and slippers were provided to pad down to the hotel's outdoor pool, although I have to admit to not plucking up the courage to take the plunge.

Then again, as the indoor pool was heated to the temperature of a warm bath - just the place to ease careworn limbs after a day on the slopes.- why risk the nippy air outside? The hotel's spa also included complimentary sauna and steam rooms as well as two outdoor hot tubs (only a short dash from door to bubbling waters) where we would gather to exchange tales of daring deeds on the mountain.

Meals were provided buffet style in the large, well-lit dining room where we enjoyed themed nights: Japanese, American and, my favourite as it turned out, Bulgarian complete with local dancers.

A post dinner drink in the hotel's bar, where we could enjoy the nightly live entertainment, and we would retire to bed early, ready for the following day's exertions on the slopes.

The slopes at Bansko are not over extensive, but do cover some 75 km and the mixture of blues and reds were sufficient to keep we intermediate skiers content.

There is a funpark for daredevils, which includes of course our snowboarding cousins, but on the whole this is a skiers’ resort.

For those who enjoy gentle slopes the resort boasts a wonderful, five kilometres plus run from Bunderishka Polyana with its numerous bars and facilities to the start of the gondola in Bansko itself.

A brilliant way to end the day, but be prepared to share the route – labelled as a ‘ski road’ – with just about everyone else still on the mountain if you leave it late to head for home.

The gondola it has to be said is the resort’s one challenge, with queues at peak times taking an hour. But often we found we were waiting no more than fifteen minutes or less.

A free bus from the gondola station to the mountain was also available, and taxis we were told cost from £8, so there were alternative ways to get aloft. If the resort continues to expand, however, it will need to tackle this issue.

Bansko certainly does have a lively apres-ski scene – The Happy End bar with its outdoor area was usually packed with folk by day’s end.

A wealth of other bars – The Penguin another popular haunt – as well as restaurants and shops where the prices were extremely keen. For once this was a ski resort where you should consider buying new ski gear with famous names at bargain prices.

The old town is a protected UNESCO heritage site and well worth a stroll. Bansko’s authentic architecture dates from the Bulgarian Revival period. Places of interest to visit in and around town include the ornate St Trinity Church.

There are also statues and museums in the town in memory of Neofit Rilski, a nineteenth century monk and teacher who was a leading figure in the Bulgarian National Revival and Nikola Vaptsarov, a famous Bulgarian poet, communist and revolutionary, who lived and died in the 20th century Both were born in Bansko.

Our reps from Balkan Holidays laid on a number of alternatives to taking to the slopes, from ice skating and bowling, to Bulgarian cultural events and even snow mobile excursions. For those on a later flight home at the end of the break, which included ourselves, there was the option of a fascinating guided tour of the capital Sofia before we left.

Bansko had been our first taste of skiing Bulgarian style, we met many Brits who were on return visits who told us that they wouldn’t contemplate skiing anywhere else. And while it is true that Bansko is a little raw around the edges compared to some of the Western European resorts, it can’t be beaten for value for money, enthusiasm and brilliant fun. I for one will be back.

FACTFILE:

Balkan Holidays is the leading tour operator to Bulgaria and was established 50 years ago. Bansko - 150 km south of the capital Sofia, is the principal ski resort. Balkan also features the Bulgarian winter ski resorts of Borovets and Pamporovo in its Winter Ski programme.

A seven night break to Bansko staying at the five star Hotel Premier Luxury Mountain Resort in Bansko starts from £527 per person, half board based on two people sharing a twin room departing 18 March, 2017. Prices include return flights from Gatwick and transfers to the hotel.

Full ski packs and First Time Ski/Board packs, including lift pass, ski and boot pass are available from £135 and £121 respectively.

There is also:

  • Free ski or board storage in Bansko
  • Half price ski or board equipment carriage on charter flights
  • Free luggage allowance of 20kg on all charter flights to Bulgaria
  • Bansko was recently voted best value for money ski resort in the Post Office Travel Money Survey.

More information: www.balkanholidays.co.uk or call: 0207 543 5555