Lift upgrading was banned in Bansko

The main ski resort of Bulgaria, Bansko, was faced the problem of expansion and renovation of its facilities. New lifts, which were to be installed at the resort, are not likely to be opened this season. Minister of Environment of Bulgaria Nona Karadzova refused to sign the plan of the resort expansion, reports sofiaecho.com.

Julen company, which is the operator of the ski resort, intended to improve the infrastructure in Bansko. It was expected that there will be installed new quad lifts, which had to replace the old rope tow. Julen company was going to replace the triple-chair lift, which lead from the Shiligranka village to the Todorka top, with more spacious quadruple or even six-chair lifts. In addition near the slopes of the Pirin Mountain Julen was going to build a tea room for recreation.

All three projects were rejected by the Ministry because of the mismatch between the stated parameters of construction and concession agreement, which Julen signed with the Bulgarian Government in 2001. In the contract, according to the minister, have been clearly defined boundaries of the resort developing. For example, building of the tea room directly at the foot of the Pirin Mountain is illegal as it partly captures the Pirin National Park.

Today in Bansko there are 26 lifts, most of which are outdated. Julen intends to pursue the possibility to renew construction works at the resort and is ready to begin legal actions against the Ministry in order to restore justice.

Anyway, the minister said that the company violated the terms of the concession agreement and went beyond the agreed contract territory. In June, Nona Karadzova said that the concessionaire developed in total 65 hectares of the territories that are not mentioned in the contract.

Bansko every year gains more and more weight on the ski market in Europe. This resort is known to many fans of winter holidays in Bulgaria. It regularly hosts international winter sport competitions. In 2013 Bansko will host the European Biathlon Championship.