Reports from Bulgaria indicate that the country's ski areas have managed to record better than expected trading figures despite multiple obstacles to smooth operations.
The unpredictability of the pandemic and operating and travel restrictions associated with it was of course the key issues faced, but there were unexpected factors too including high inflation, surging energy prices and at the end of the season the sudden loss of the Russian skier market, which is a sizable part of the business of some Bulgarian areas.
On the upside it has been a good winter for snowfall, although strong winds impacted the operations of some centres.
Occupancy rates typically averaged 70 to 90% with the majority of guests arriving from within Bulgaria. Business was also back up from Israel and the UK and countries closer to Bulgaria including Greece and north Macedonia but down from Turkey.
Bansko and Pamporovo are reported to be closing for the season next weekend on April 10th, then Vitosha on April 15th, but Borovets plans to remain open until the end of April.