A natural option for beginners and those looking for a highly affordable ski holiday, Bulgaria can also shout about its award-winning ski schools and excellent service. Borovets and Pamporovo are the two main ski areas, both set in picturesque pine forests and both offering good nursery slopes and English-speaking ski schools. A third resort is Bansko which lies at the foot of the Vihrin, the highest mountain in the Pirin range. Here you can still find a traditional local atmosphere side by side with lively bars and restaurants.