Bulgaria's Winter Resorts Open Ski Season

Bulgaria's largest ski resorts - Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo open this year's ski season on Saturday, reports the bTV national channel.

According to the information, this season the three resorts will keep the ski pass prices from last year, while the Tourism Ministry expects a 4-5% increase in number of tourists.

Ivan Obreykov, marketing director of the Bansko ski zone told the BNR public broadcaster that by December 20 the one-day ski pass will be at the discount price of BGN 30. According to him, this season the resort introduces a new service - helicopter rescue in case of an accident. It will be available for a very small fee upon purchasing of a ski pass.

On Saturday the pistes and lifts in Bansko and Pamporovo will work gratis, but the ski zone in Borovets will remain closed, due to the lack of snow and the warm weather.

According to Lyuba Klenova, marketing director of the operator of the Borovets ski zone told journalists that this season the number of snow guns and illuminated ski pistes has been doubled.

Pamporovo will be offering free ski training for absolute beginners and children.