My Story

If you’re thinking about booking a ski holiday in Bansko, I thought it might be nice to introduce myself and share a little of the story behind Chalet Christophe.

My name is Victoria and I first discovered Bansko back in 2007. What was meant to be a short visit quickly turned into something much bigger. I completely fell in love with the town, the mountains and the lifestyle here in the Pirin.

Before long I was running ski chalets in Bansko, welcoming guests from the UK and beyond who wanted to experience one of Europe’s best-value ski resorts. For ten winters, from 2007 until 2018, hosting chalet holidays here was my life.

I loved it. From the excitement of the first morning on the slopes to the stories around the dining table after a day skiing. The friendships that formed during a week in the mountains.

During that time I also bought the building that would eventually become Chalet Christophe. The plan was always to create my own chalet in Bansko.

But as life sometimes does, things didn’t go exactly to plan. Other opportunities came along, and the project had to wait. Even so, I always knew I would return to Bansko one day and finish what I had started.

Three years ago, I began work on completing the building and turning it into the chalet I had imagined all those years ago. You may even recognise parts of the journey from the Channel 4 series A New Life in the Sun, which followed the story of building a life here in Bulgaria.

Now, after a lot of work, Chalet Christophe is preparing to open its doors to its very first guests for the 2026/27 ski season and having run chalets in Bansko for so many years, I know that what makes a great ski holiday isn’t just the skiing.

It’s the feeling of returning somewhere warm and welcoming after a day on the mountain. A place where everything is taken care of so you can simply relax and enjoy your time away.

At Chalet Christophe my aim is to recreate the kind of chalet experience that guests love: great food, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday.

Because I’ve lived in Bansko for so long, I can help organise everything before you arrive. Ski passes, equipment hire, lessons, airport transfers, restaurant reservations and activities are all easy to arrange.

Whether you’re planning a ski trip with friends, a corporate mountain retreat or an adventure holiday with your club or running group, my goal is to make the whole experience smooth and enjoyable from the moment you start planning your trip.

More than just skiing

While winter is of course a huge draw, Bansko is also an incredible place for mountain adventures all year round.

Trail running, hiking, mountain biking and exploring the Pirin Mountains are some of my favourite ways to spend time here. If you follow my other blog at Bansko Adventures, you’ll know how passionate I am about getting outdoors and making the most of the mountains.

That same spirit is something I hope guests will feel when they stay at Chalet Christophe.

Opening a brand new chalet has been a long journey, but it’s incredibly exciting to finally be welcoming guests again.

Bookings for winter 2026/27 are now open, and I can’t wait to share everything that makes Bansko such a special place to ski and explore.

If you’re planning a ski holiday in Bansko and like the idea of a relaxed, friendly chalet experience with plenty of local knowledge, I’d love to welcome you.

Be among the first guests to stay at Chalet Christophe when we open our doors for the very first ski season.