When you think of skiing in Europe, what pops into your mind? France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria. The Alps, of course. Perhaps Scandinavia. And don't forget Germany.



But Bulgaria?

According to Matt Gross of The New York Times, things in Bansko, Bulgaria's showcase ski resort in the Pirin Mountains, are not up to par with other top resorts in Europe. The kinks are still being workout out as Bulgaria tries to bolster its snow sports ahead of a bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

What is the attraction of a ski vacation in Bansko? It's not going to cost you a whole heck of a lot to:

Therein lies Bansko's true appeal. It's not the mountain, which is about as big and challenging as a midsize resort in Vermont. And it's not the snow, which is (most years) plentiful, powdery and present from December to April. It's that in Bansko you can ski all day, stuff yourself with steaks, drink more beer than anyone ought to and pass out in a fairly nice hotel room - all for about $60 a day.

Perhaps that's not enough to attract serious slope jockeys, but, if you consider joining a ski trip with a trip to the nearby Bulgarian capital, Sofia, it might seem more worthwhile.

Sofia is one of east Europe's most beautiful cities, and like Bansko, the prices are attractively reasonable.

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