Winter tale in Pamporovo

George Georgiev

It was February winter evening in the pretty Rodopean town Chepelare. The snow was falling gently on the cold ground and I was extremely happy because I imagined the rounded peaks of Rodope Mountain, covered with snow and the ski pistes of the magnificent resort Pamporovo, full of skiers. I checked in the hotel and I went in my room waiting anxiously for the next day. And the morning was just what I wanted to be. I was wakened by the sun, whose beams had managed to make their way through the window of my room. I dressed myself quickly and I made my way to Pamporovo.

After 10 minutes of driving I reached the resort and took the lift from Lift Station I to “Studenets”. The snow bounded slopes, Snezhanka peak and the TV tower revealed in front of me while I was rising up on the lift seat. When I reached “Studenets” I thought that the Babel was taking place for second time in history – not only because of the great number of people but also because of the great variety of languages that I heard all around me. However the crowd did not annoy me but gave me a positive energy and a good mood. People were happy on their way to the lift seats carrying their equipment or sitting at the après ski bars with the sun shining on them. There was a dog – sledge, waiting for those who want to rush on the snow like the gold – diggers in Alaska. But right at that moment the dogs were basking lazily on the sun, paying no attention to the people around.

After I spend enough time in the region of “Studenets” station I took the lift up to Snezhanka peak. Although I prefer mountain biking, rather than skiing or snowboarding I felt the atmosphere on the run and the emotions of the flying, falling and rolling winter sports lovers from the height of the lift seat. But the real magic came when I reached the top. The TV tower was razing beside me and in front of me Podope Mountain revealed its incredible beauty. Тhe sky and the mountain hills were fusing in the distance and the white clouds were roaming gently in the sky. There were groups of entry level skiers and the ski instructors passed on them their experience.

This was the starting point of my great walk. I couldn’t see enough of the view which was beyond description and I took a great number of pictures to keep it forever. I roamed around the ridge of the hill for hours and I was watching the skiers and the snowboarders. Some of them were downhilling while others were relaxing lying on the snow like on a beach or eating at the Après ski bars and after that taking their equipment back up on the slopes.

From time to time wild freeriders appeared from the trees and vanished in the wood again. The feeling was incredible. The atmosphere was a strange mixture of strong emotion and absolute harmony. I have no idea how much time I had spend on the plateau-shaped peak but the sun was almost setting when I came out of my trance. It was time to go back but I still couldn’t leave this magnetic site. So I decided not to take lift down but to descent on foot. It took me about an hour to reach “Studenets station”, but the numerous splendid views left me breathless and time passed imperceptivity fast.

That’s how my day in Pamporovo ended. I have to admit that this was my first visit to the mountain resort but certainly it won’t be the last one. Those of you who had already been there know why and the others must not lose time, because Pamporovo is great.

Photos