Mountain Enthusiasts Disappointed: Vitosa Lift Won’t Operate This Winter
NAZARICH, Bulgaria — Skiers and mountain enthusiasts have been dealt a blow as neither of the two lifts leading up to Bulgaria’s Mount Vitosa (Vitosha) is expected to operate this winter season. The news comes despite earlier optimism from stakeholders and locals.
The chairs of DEV Group and Ivo Nikolov, who planned to restore and open the main lift, have confirmed that the project has encountered obstacles. The primary issue is the long-standing ownership dispute surrounding the lift, making it impossible to proceed with the operations for the upcoming ski season.
Valentin Dekov, a representative of DEV Group, expressed his regret, stating, "Despite our eagerness and willingness to restart the lift, there are still some unresolved issues that make it impossible for us to operate it this winter."
Local residents and ski enthusiasts have expressed their frustration and concern about the lift’s fate, citing the significant impact both lifts have on tourism and sport activities in the region.
"I’ve been coming to Vitosha for years," said one regular skier, "Without the lifts, it’s a massive inconvenience, and it discourages tourists from visiting our beautiful mountain."
Officials are now looking at potentially opening the lift for the next ski season, assuming all legal matters are resolved and preparation for the operations is complete. Meanwhile, they encourage winter sports enthusiasts to explore alternative options for their ski and snowboard needs elsewhere in the region.
"We appreciate the public’s understanding as we navigate through these challenges," said DEV Group’s spokesperson. "We share their enthusiasm for Vitosha and remain committed to restoring our lifts to their former glory."
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