Bansko boasts majestic peaks & great value Winter sports, says ANNE RICHARDSON.

THE bargain ski resort of Bansko in Bulgaria is booming.

With the cheapest lift passes, equipment hire, ski lessons, meals and drinks, it is officially the best value alpine destination in the world.

Throw in the spectacular setting of the Pirin mountain range, a recent multi-million pound investment and the fact you can get there from just £29.99 on easyJet and its attraction just grows and grows.

Want amazing deals to Bansko? Click here now!

Plus there's beer at 50p a pint.

With more than 70km of slopes, 23 mountain peaks - several more than 2,500m high - plus a 7km ski road all the way from the mountain tops into town, Bansko is big on variety.

There's a good mix for beginners, intermediates and advanced-level skiers, from gentle nursery slopes to some pretty hardcore black runs - one of which was used for the Alpine Skiing World Cup earlier this year.

Bansko is now considered a major player in big ski events and in February it will host the launch for four World Cup alpine skiing competitions.

Boarders are well catered for with a park boasting a pipe dragon plus a good range of kickers and rails for all abilities.

Meanwhile, freeriders will love some of the high, untouched terrain dotted with trees to make things more interesting.

As a complete novice - having never even tried a dry ski slope in the UK - I knew I'd have to stay well away from the pros and keep strictly to the nursery slopes.

Just putting on my ski boots and walking to the lift station in the heart of Bansko proved tricky enough for me.

Fortunately, the gondola was easy to navigate and could transport 2,400 passengers an hour, so I didn't have to wait long to get started.

The incredible views as we ascended to the snow-covered peaks helped take my mind off my nerves.

At the top, I met up with my instructor from Method Snow School - a lovely English bloke called John - and began my first lesson.

It turned out I wasn't a natural and I was on my backside almost immediately.

Arms windmilling frantically in a bid to slow down, my first manoeuvre involved crashing into a queue of people with all the grace of Nancy Dell'Olio on Strictly.

One tip I would give to beginners is to master the art of stopping quite early on.

But when you're surrounded by gleaming white mountains, blazing sun and the scent of mulled wine, the odd bump doesn't feel quite so painful.

After a three-hour lesson, I had learned to start, turn and stop (eventually!).

My base for the week was the SPA Hotel Villa Roka, a very stylish place with minimalist d©cor, a trendy bar and a restaurant on the lower ground flood.

Totally different from the cuckooclock, chalet-style ski hotels, this is like something out of Grand Designs, with clean lines, mood lighting and cube sofas.

After a day's skiing, the plush spa was particularly welcome. With weary muscles and bruises, I decided the only thing for it was to head to the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

For the more energetic, there's also a gym and a swimming pool.

Suitably relaxed, there was time for a quick change before dinner.

Wanting to try local delights, we made a beeline for one of the traditional taverns, called a mehana, with brick walls, open fires and a band of Bulgarian musicians.

A huge feast of tender meats arrived on wooden boards along with other tapas-style speciality dishes of kebabs, pork stew, spicy sausage and meatballs.

With bottles of wine, beer and the local rakia (mixed fruit spirit), the bill was still only a tenner a head.

There was even free cabaret thrown in when the band dragged a couple of my friends up on to the floor and made them try Bulgarian dancing.

There are plenty of mehanas around town, each with their own specialities. If you're a vegetarian you might struggle but, for bargainhunting carnivores, it's a dream.

Click here now for incredible offers to Bansko

Bansko has a charming old town area, with narrow cobbled streets, cute churches and traditional buildings, so it is lovely for a daytime stroll.

There's also a hint of Borat about the place, with waiters beckoning you into their restaurants, offering "Nice time, you like!"

As for apres-ski, there are plenty of late-night bars and clubs as well as some proper British boozers and Irish pubs.

With its great facilities, fabulous scenery and cheap prices, Bansko is a definite winter warmer.

FACT FILE

EASYJET flies to Sofia direct from Gatwick from £29.99 one way (including taxes) and from Manchester to Sofia from £36.99 one way.

To book visit easyJet.com.

Transfers to and from the airport can be arranged via Mitch Euro Travel Service Ltd. Call 359 879 533 433 or email mitch.eurotravel@yahoo.com.

The four-star SPA Hotel Villa Roka, below, costs from £90 (£77) per night for a double room. Book at villaroka.com.

For skiing or snowboarding lessons, contact Method Snow School at methodsnowschool.com.

Visit banskotouristinformation.com for more details on Bansko.