27 December 2007 - 22:02 Bansko Fascinates World's Ski Elite Winter Season Is In Full Swing At Bulgarian Ski Resorts

Gian-Franco Kasper, President of the International Ski Federation (FIS), and famous Alpine skiers Janica Kostelic and Kjetil Andre Aamodt arrived especially for the opening of the ski season in Bansko yesterday. It was snowing for a whole day, but the organizers from ULEN had taken care of the ski runs' perfect condition. Over 2,000 tourists came to see the mega show. The white fairy tale started with the arrival of the starry trio, Kostelic, Aamodt and honorary citizen of Bansko Marc Girardelli at the Alberto Tomba piste in the resort. Kasper was extremely pleased to see the multitude of spectators at the end of the ski run.

 "You have really wonderful conditions here in Bansko. I'll come back next season to watch the start for the World Cup," Kasper promised.

President of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Gian-Franco Kasper in Bansko

 Many politicians, MPs and leading businessmen attended the opening of the season.
 "You have built a classy resort in no time. I'm glad that I'm here to take part in today's unique show," Aamodt emphasized.

Kjetil Andre Aamodt

 I haven't seen a wonderful opening like this anywhere in the world, not even in St. Moritz. Bansko resembles Colorado which is my favourite resort, but now I'll change my mind and start skiing here," the Norwegian added.

Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Mr. Tseko Minev, Janica Kostelic and Marc Girardelli

 "The presence of great skiers like Kostelic, Girardelli and Aamodt proves that our resort has a promising future, many prestigious competitions will be held here. I believe that as early as next season we'll make true our dream to organize a start for the World Cup in Bansko. This wonderful resort is a stimulus for the development of the whole Pirin region," said Mayor of Bansko Alexander Kravarov.

Vladimir Simeonov
Plamen Vulkov
Standart News, SATURDAY, 29 December 2007

Janica Kostelic skiing down on Banderica-Alberto Tomba ski slope in Bansko

Janica Kostelic

Janica Kostelic

Demo team of Bulgarian ski schools

Night party and big fireworks at Bansko Season Open 2007/2008

***

Winter Season Is In Full Swing At Bulgarian Ski Resorts

The heavy snow cover in Bulgaria’s biggest resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo returned the expectations of hoteliers and tour operators for strong winter season, in spite of the initial signals for delay of foreign tourists’ booking.

The three resorts and Vitosha mountain were full with skiers in the passed weekend, informed from Dnevnik.

The branch expects high incomes round New Year’s Eve too. Most of the tourist objects are already booked for the night.

The Britons will wait to assure that there is enough snow in Bulgaria and then will get winter packet, stated no long time ago from ‘Balkantourist’ and from other foreign tour operators.

Now the booking tendency is positive, informed Borovets’ representatives. Foreign media also gives information for perfect ski conditions in Bulgaria’s mountain resorts.

‘Guardian’ and ‘Daily Mail’ direct tourists to Bansko where the snow cover is between 80 and 180 cm.

According to the dailies the resort has problems with the capacity of ski equipments. In pick hours are forming long queues on lifts.

From ‘Balkantourist’ also informed that the Russian interest to local winter resorts is higher than the last season.

Pamporovo Resort Overfilled for Holidays

95% of hotel places in Pamporovo resort are taken for the New Year Eve’s Holidays. After the start of the tourist season, hoteliers register a successful week.

Over 900 people, mainly Englishman and Irish have passed the ski-school training in Pamporovo.

Though, it is urgent a ski patrol to be introduced. Observation shows there are promiscuously driven motor sledges despite sledges on the paths are banned.

Russians, Germans, Greek and Turkish have also preferred Pamporovo to spend the holidays.

Today the resort lets for exploitation also a skating rink.

news.bg
27.12.2007