Title: Blizzard Blocks Bulgaria‘s Viktoha Mountain: Skiers, Tourists, Students Stranded; Local Calls for Immediate Action
In a critical situation today, heavy snowfall has blanketed Mount Viktoha, blocking access for skiers, children, and tourists. This has led to a plea for immediate action from local officials and authorities. Iivo Randelov, Acting Chair of Viktoha Ski and Snowboard School and owner of ‘Aleko’ hut, expressed his concern, "Today’s situation is critical. While it’s beautiful, our favorite winter getaway, Viktoha, is currently inaccessible."
Randelov went on to describe the dire situation, "It’s a national disgrace," noting the snow-covered surroundings of the hut and the parking lot, which is under the jurisdiction of Sofia Municipality. Most of the operational lifts, including Draagilevski, Kniazhievski, and Simeonovski, were dismantled, leaving only ‘Viktoha Lale 1’ functional.
The non-functioning lifts and unplowed roads have caused difficulties for everyone, from skiers and tourists to schoolchildren and volunteers from the Bulgarian Red Cross. School bus drivers also shared their struggles, calling for immediate action.
"We climb here every year with children, but faced with such problems," said Georgi Georgiev, a school bus driver. Fellow driver Nikola Bakalski also urged, "All institutions must play their part. The lift isn’t working, the road isn’t maintained, and there are children who want to ski, but there are no conditions."
Randelov added that ‘Aleko’ hut was unable to open on December 26, the official start of the ski season, due to the lack of snow-clearing equipment. The hut owns a snow-clearing machine worth BGN 150,000, which they use each year to maintain accessibility. Randelov also pointed out that the road from Dragalevtsi (Wodnitsa) should be closed to facilitate proper cleaning and maintenance, ensuring safety for all users.
In a heartfelt appeal, Randelov called upon the Prime Minister, Sofia Mayor, and responsible ministers to convene and address this pressing issue. Stay tuned for further updates and follow for more important news of the day on Google News Showcase.
