Borovets

Hundreds of people were unable to reach Vitosha Mountain for the much-anticipated start of the ski season, as the mountain's two main access roads were not cleared of snow. The congestion of vehicles attempting to reach the Aleko hut began in Dragalevtsi, forming a traffic jam stretching for kilometers. The road was eventually closed due to a stuck snowplow.

The Borovets ski area is set to open for the winter season on Saturday, December 21, according to Vasilia Konstantinova, executive director of Borosport AD, the company managing the resort. The ski area will be operational daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Bulgaria is expecting a 5% increase in tourist arrivals this winter season, according to acting Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev. This growth is anticipated amid preparations for the winter resorts' opening, which includes significant coordination among various stakeholders to ensure smooth operations.

Bulgaria experienced a remarkable surge in winter tourism from December 1, 2023, to March 25, 2024, with a total of 1.8 million tourist check-ins recorded across the country. Among these, Bulgarian tourists dominated the scene, comprising 1.3 million of the total arrivals.

The tragedy occurred in the ski resort of Borovets - The unfortunate Greek was skiing with three other friends - The skiers were off the slope

A Greek skier died after a group of skiers was hit by an avalanche at Bulgaria's Borovets Ski Center on the northern slopes of Rila mountain range on Monday, Bulgarian media reported.

As the winter season unfolds, Bulgaria's popular winter resorts, Borovets and Pamporovo, are witnessing a surge in foreign visitors, with a notable presence from Britain and various Balkan countries. Both resorts are currently experiencing high occupancy rates, with Bulgarians forming the second-largest group of tourists.

Italy has emerged as the new budget-friendly ski destination in Europe, surpassing Bulgaria in affordability, as per a recent study conducted by British travel agencies, revealed by DPA.

Borovets, the renowned Bulgarian skiing destination, officially kicked off its winter season, marking the opening of the Sitnyakovo skiing center. Maria Sheynova, Borovets Marketing Director, expressed the resort's readiness and emphasis on meticulously preparing the slopes for visitors.

As the winter chill settles in, Bulgarian mountain resorts are eagerly preparing for the upcoming ski season. Anticipation mounts as all ski areas aim to open around mid-month, hinging largely on temperature and snow availability, crucial for artificial snow production and track maintenance, as highlighted by specialized website TravelNews.bg.