European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 6, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ski Bulgaria Balkan country offers old and new ruse pleven Sofia of Zagora Borovetz prov div stories by Leah Larkin features editor ski Bulgaria. It s not a joke not a slogan for a crazy to shirt or  make up three fourths of the terrain of this Balkan country of 9 million people. And even though it s in the East bloc Bulgaria has what it takes for a ski Holiday with flair bargain prices first rate accommodations tasty food off slope adventure. Many europeans Long ago discovered the Beauty of the country s Black sea beaches where Sun holidays Are reasonable. In recent years the bulgarians have concentrated on developing their mountains in an Effort to attract More tourists and Western currency. They Are even making a bid to Host the Winter olympics in 1992. Last Winter i spent a week with a group of journalists skiing the slopes at two of the country s major resorts Vitosh and Borovetz. We stayed at the Vitosh new Otani hotel in Sofia the capital City and second highest City in Europe after Madrid. With a rooftop Casino huge swimming Pool health club Bowling Alley and spacious rooms that even had telephones in the bathrooms the hotel is the epitome of Western luxury. The Only problem we encountered was the elevators. Sometimes they did t want to move. The Vitosh slopes where there Are also hotels and restaurants Are about a half hour up the Mountain drive from the Sofia hotel. Sofia residents can get to the slopes by bus to the suburb of Simeonova. From there they ride a two stage Gondola to the ski area. The lower Hartoft Regondola Tun is not meant for i King however. Vitosh offers plenty of ski terrain. Unfortunately we were there during a week of record breaking cold and wind. The chair lift ride to the top a Moon like landscape of huge boulders and wind blown shrubs was enough to make one consider a Quick trip Down and into a restaurant for schnapps. To kill the chill bulgarians serve their potent National schnapps hot. It will warm up anything. Skiing at Vitosh involves walking sometimes More than is pleasant on skis. To get from one slope to another often requires a hike. Facilities and services at the Bottom of the slopes Are impressive. Food in the comfortable attractive Mountain hotel restaurants was Good to excellent. The cafeteria where the masses ate however was not inviting. Skiers crowded together at picnic tables in a targe Smokey room that looked As if it was a turn of the Century factory mess Hall. The food looked even less enticing. No one had any complaints about the Friendly helpful bulgarians. I broke a buckle on my ski Boot and paid a visit to the area ski shop Eek no help. They sent me to the rental shop. Tils