Title: Vital Passes to Mount Vitosha Now Open: Snow Clearing Complete, Ski Enthusiasts Unleashed
After hours of anxious waiting and hectic snow-clearing efforts, the paths leading to Mount Vitosha are finally open for business. The city’s bus service is now operational, with buses running regularly to the Zlatni Mostove, while high-clearance vehicles and those with snow chains are advised for the route to Aleko Hut, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Earlier in the day, both access points to the mountain were temporarily blocked due to heavy snowfall. A tree branch fell on a car, injuring a man in the process. "They said until 11 AM, if they don’t open up, that’s it," said Nikolai, who was eager to hit the slopes. "But they’re letting some people through. The road was congested, but cars were getting through fine," added Denis.
Tensions ran high as temperatures plummeted and the anticipation of kicking off the ski season grew. Many skiers had already pitched in with their own shovels and tools to help clear the path before authorities finally gave the all-clear. Some initially eager skiers had to turn back due to the delays, requiring a helping hand from local authorities.
Once opened, the rush to Aleko Hut was reminiscent of a beacon of hope amidst the cold. Greek tourists Ewa and Ariadne found themselves in the midst of it all, excited to hit the slopes despite the initial setbacks. "We came all the way from Greece to ski! Now we’re just playing in the snow," Ewa exclaimed.
Snowplow driver Stefan Bojanov offered a firsthand account of the overnight drama. "They dumped us! A whole night of boxing, no serious work done. We couldn’t clean it up, not really. A tree fell and hit a car, injuring a young man. Took us 3 hours to clean it up. We were waiting for more help," he said.
With the paths now clear, Mount Vitosha welcomes skiers and snowboarders eager to bid farewell to 2024 on the slopes. Let the winter celebrations begin! ☃️🎿
