Located about 10 minutes from Bansko centre and located next to the Pirin National Park, a UNESCO Protected National Park, facilities for skiers include 14 marked ski runs, four ski tracks with over 65km of ski runs and a season lasting from mid-December until the end of April. A new Ian Woosnam-designed golf course is within minutes of the resort.

The region has received over 50m in investment, with the installation of Doppelmayr ski lifts, including an eight-passenger Gondola, four and two-seater chairlifts and T-bars. Additional ski facilities are planned for nearby Kulinoto and Dobrinishte.

Bulgaria recently bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics and although it was not successful it made it to the final five contenders and is expected to bid again in subsequent years.

The resort is being designed in conjunction with Bulgarian architectural firm Arka Studio, who were responsible for the awardwinning Kempinski Grand Arena Hotel, currently Bansko's premier hotel. Many of the apartments will include the new dual lock facility for rental purposes. This allows split access to one- and twobed apartments allowing them to be rented separately as a studio and one-bed or together as a two-bed unit giving investors a number of rental options.

Unlike many projects in the area the development will be a fully-integrated resort and in order to offer year round facilities the plans also include two luxury spas stretching over 2,000sq m, four swimming pools, jacuzzis, tennis court, ice rink, ski and golf storage facilities, restaurants and bars with indoor and outdoor terrace and pool-side facilities, shops, children's play grounds and large garden areas. The spa facilities are being designed by spa specialist Balnea.

Bulgaria has seen economic growth of about 5% since 2000 and property prices have risen by on average 15%. With the average wage in Bulgaria at 160 a month the resort is not within reach of the average Bulgarian, however Bansko is within 600km of 120 million people and EU funding is expected to further improve infrastructure in the area.

Irish company Property Tax International is handling legal, tax and mortgage applications for potential buyers.

For further Information contact Spinnaker Developments: 01-250 0040; www. pirinmountainresort. com.