The Bulgarian ski resort Borovets is celebrating 120 years since its founding. The beginning started with the Bulgarian ruler prince Ferdinand back in 1896. He built his palace for summer recreation Royal Bistrica in the area, then known as Chamkoriya along with several hunting lodges. Gradually, the place became a favorite of the royal family. Other aristocratic and wealthy families also decided to follow suit and so Chamkoriya start growing.
Initially, the resort was only for summer holidays, but after a few years the families that built their villas there discover the winter charm of Borovets. And so was founded the oldest ski resort in the Balkans. In the 30s of the last century it began to grow and was given the reputation of the ski capital of the region. On February 16, 1930 Juvenille Tourist Union – Branch “Rila”, organised the first ski race in Bulgaria. The descent was in the woods between Sitnyakovo and Borovets. The skiers who participated were 11.
They walked to the top of the rock, enjoyed a lunch together and only then started the race. The route was outlined from the first descended. The first ski in the region were made by local carpenters with available materials, among which were even planks of barrels of wine.
The first ski club “Rilski sportist” was founded on October 11, 1931 from 45 enthusiast. In January next year, was held the first race in cross-country skiing along the road between Borovets and Sokolets, continuing downhill to Pashanitsa and finishing at Tourist garden. Ten years later, the sport club “Rila skier” is on top of Bulgarian skiing and Samokov is becoming a powerful center of the white sport.
