New research from leading travel insurance provider InsureandGo reveals that skiers and snowboarders can save around 40 per cent on their ski holidays by heading to Bulgaria’s top resort rather than a typical resort in the French Alps this winter.

As the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show at London’s Olympia turns our attention to the forthcoming ski season, InsureandGo, which is appearing at the show, is predicting a big increase in Eastern European winter holidays this season.

British skiers should head for Eastern Europe for the best deals on the slopes, but prices at some resorts have risen sky high, it has been revealed.

Top-value ski destinations are Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia, according to a survey by Post Office travel services.

Including basic week-long costs such as equipment hire, lift passes, meals and drinks, Romania’s Poiana Brasov ski resort offered the best value at £195.76.

France, Switzerland and Austria may be more renowned for skiing holidays, but if you are looking for some great ski deals for a family holiday Bulgaria is a fantastic choice of destination.

There are three main Bulgarian ski resorts — Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo — all of which provide the ideal setting for a family holiday.

Bulgaria is home to some smaller resorts too, which will be perfect for those of you who like to ski off the beaten track.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee extended one last chance to Bulgaria Monday regarding the Pirin National park. The news was reported 30 NGOs known as Bulgaria’s “For the Nature” Coalition. The park has been the subject of several checkups done by UNESCO, which led to the decision to either halt the construction of ski resorts there or no later then February 2010 include the Park in UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger with all due consequences for the Bulgarian State.

A weekend of festivities marked the official launch of Bansko’s summer season, including the  traditional Between Three Mountains outdoor concert and folklore singing and dancing, as well as a sumptuous food festival.

The accusations are simple. Environmentalists claim much of the expansion of the country’s ski areas has been done on land that is protected by international and national law.