The Independent tells the story of a UK family that decided to invest in Bulgaria's skiing resort Bansko by buying a flat there.

Under the title "Perfect retreats for skiers" the newspaper points out that as winter is nearing and more and more Britons are planning their holiday, Bulgaria is emerging as a perfect destination.Skiing holidays are always costly, and buyers are often concluding that, in the long run, buying a ski apartment works out cheaper than paying for family skiing holiday, the Independent wrote.

Pointing out the interest in real estates in some of the most prominent winter vacation spots in the US, Canada, France, Switzerland and Austria, the newspaper tells about the decision of a UK family with two children that recently bought an apartment in the ski resort of Bansko in Bulgaria. It is not only the skiing that drew the British family to the Bulgarian resort.

"Set in a National Park, activities such as golf, tennis and fishing give them plenty of holiday options throughout the year and the development also has its own health spa and restaurant."

What's driving many buyers to this particular area is the hope that Bansko will receive a major investment, as it is a candidate for the 2014 winter Olympics, the newspaper underlines.

The Pirin Mountains are an adequate resort for most skiers but experts may prefer the challenges of some of the country's best downhill skiing at the nearby resort of Shiligarnika.

But the UK family admitted that their apartment's low price tag was their major incentive.

"Bansko has to be the best value compared to any other European ski resort, with prices at less than half the cost per square metre than most Alpine regions."