Bulgaria Ski Resort, Once Buzzing, Creaks Under Crumbling Infrastructure

Source: International Business Times

Praised for its proximity to the capital, Vitosha once featured more than a dozen cable cars and chair lifts AFP Bulgarian slalom star Albert Popov, who recently claimed his first World Cup win, learned how to ski at Vitosha, the mountain towering over his native capital Sofia. But the once-modern resort is now a far cry from its former glory -- and with its crumbling infrastructure is unlikely to again produce talented ski champions like Popov, said local ski club founder Ivaylo Rangelov. "Bulgaria's first chair lift was built here," said Rangelov, pointing to the now rusted poles and cables from the decaying lifts in the European Union's poorest country.