30% more skiers are expected in Borovets

30% more skiers are expected in Borovets

24 Hours, 12.10.05, Tihomir Tonchev

8 of the most modern snow maintenance machines will take care of the piste in Borovets next winter, to keep them in perfect condition for the skiers. “Borosport’ will invest between 4 and five million BGN for the new season. This was announced from the firm which maintains the ski equipment in the resort. 2 brand new slope maintenance machines, from the leading Italian firm “Prinot”, “Everest” model are provided for the new season. They are being installed for the first time here in Bulgaria. They can spin in 360 degrees, which makes them very comfortable for the maintenance of the pistes. Two other “Prinot” machines were bought last year, but they were a smaller modification. Borosport has 4 “Kesborer” machines. The new machines can maintain 90 decares for just one hour announced Milkov. A Swiss AEBY truck was also provided for the easy access of all the pistes. Every Wednesday during the winter season, the new machines will make a show for the tourists. In the evenings they will show their abilities among fireworks, attraction descending of ski instructors and music. The two new wire lifts will work on their full capacity. 22- 23 million BGN were invested in 2004 for new equipment. The first line “Yastrebets express” will replace ex- ski drug “Kotva”, which serviced “Yastrebets” 1, 2 and 3. The lift is 2100 meters long. The new line is 1950 meters long. Each of the lifts is with 2400 people per hour capacity. The new lifts changed the vision of the resort. The total capacity of all of the equipments is now 14 200 people, per hour which means that this is the number of skiers that can ski at the same time. Three individual zones are being differentiated in Borovets with over 40 kilometers total length of the pistes, announced “Borosport”. This makes it possible for the tourists to use the most appropriate pistes according to the weather conditions. Even if the wind is strong, when the cabin lift doesn’t work, the skier can use the lower parts of the pistes in front of Rila hotel. At the moment a ski stadium is being constructed there for beginners to practice the white sports. There are 4 ski drugs with 1200 persons per hour capacity. There are 2 more lifts. The pistes are lighted and equipped with snow cannons for artificial snow. Night skiing will be allowed till 10.00 pm. The pistes on the higher parts of Markudjitsite are for experts. The average zone is “Yastrebets”. Everyone is working hard for the opening of the new skiing season. A new energy system is also being constructed. “We are first going to improve the infrastructure and then will continue with the equipment,” explained Milkov. “These activities need a lot of money, and they are usually not clear to the common tourist- this is an investment for the future,” added he. The ski equipment is connected to one energy ring. It will be charged directly from Beli Iskar Water Electricity Central, which means that Borovets will be supplied with energy from two sites. The investments in the draining systems of the pistes are also planned. Every 5-6 years 10 000 BGN will be invested in the ski pistes for their protection from the natural processes. During the summer Yastrebets piste will be protected against erosion by nets. Communication system will be installed on every piste above Borovets which allows a non stop connection to the radio stations. The long waited junction of “Muslenska” path will open this winter. 12 kilometers long evacuation road from “Musala”to Borovets will allow the skiers to descend by themselves in bad weather when the cabin stops. The construction of the trace is under the control of the Eco ministry, because it passes through the territory of the national park “Rila”. The constructions are being done by hand without the usage of machines. Muslenska path will be completely ready for the new winter season. The evacuation road guarantees the security of the beginner skiers and tourists on the peaks. There is also a new project for the wire lift in the region of Markudjitsite. The old drug lifts there will be replaced by a four seat wire line. Snow cannons will blow artificial snow in Borovets during the winter, the two pistes in front of hotel Rila. This will make it possible for the skiers to ski from December untill April. Installation for artificial snow will be also installed on Yastrebets 2 piste. The investment program for 2007- 2009 plans the construction of cannons on the Markudjitsite. The biggest hotel “Rila” is going to be gasified. This winter the hotel will be renewed as the owner have invested 4 million BGN in it. A new conference center is also constructed. The opening of the winter season will be around the 20th of December, announced Peter Popangelov, one of the executive directors of Borosport. We expect 30- 40 % raise in the number of skiers during the next winter, said Popangelov. During the next season every ski lover will have the opportunity to compete with him. Everyone who beat him will receive a cup with autograph from the best skier in Bulgaria. The capacity of the lifts makes it possible for everyone, staying in the resort, to ski.