Snow in heaps, sun and a cloudless sky drew thousands of people to celebrate World Snow Day for the second year running, up on Mount Vitosha. The initiative, celebrated by hundreds of renowned winter resorts in 46 countries around the world, aims to popularize snow sports among children.

The start of the winter festival was given by the youngest skiers, who skied down Stenata ski run to Aleko chalet in parallel slalom. The ski instructors cheered the skiers on to do their best. In this festive race everyone was a winner. And the mountain rewarded all those who chose to leave their warm beds at the break of drawn.

“A beautiful sunny day, something rare on Mount Vitosha, but today the weather is with us and we are all very happy,” says Marina Shoileva from the Vitosha Ski and Snowboard Schools Association. “Today is a day for snow and sun. The aim of this festival is to take more children out of Sofia, to bring them here, up in the mountain so they can play in the snow and join in different winter sports. All children who took part in the parallel slalom came away with prizes, we are happy to be able to motivate more children to come to Vitosha and ski. Some of the children took part in a cross-country ski race. For the youngest kids, we had a snow figure competition, we also organized snow bike races. So, there was something for everyone.”

Nikolay is 13 and this is his first time skiing for the season:

“I am here to have fun and to do a bit of sports. I really enjoy being outdoors, it is so fresh here, so sunny.”

Down in the valley is Sofia, enveloped in grey fog. But for all people who are up in the mountain, it is a wonderful, invigorating day.

“Phenomenal,” exclaims Plamen Tepavicharov, a ski instructor with many years of experience. “Here we are, basking in the sun, and down there – gloomy Sofia. It is such a wonderful feeling to have gotten away from the cold city. And when there is sun and the spirits are high – what more can one want?”

For the first time this year, snow bicycle races were organized. The competitors demonstrated enviable skills along the 800-meter long ski run. What does it feel like to be riding a bicycle in the snow?

“It is different,” says Svilen Malchev. “These bicycles are, on the whole different from normal bikes and the experience itself is unique. It is so enjoyable and such fun. My first snow bicycle race was around five years ago. Unlike bicycle races in summer, it doesn’t hurt so much if you take a fall. In winter one gets a very different feel of the layout of the land, but what really won me over for this sport was a photograph I saw of a snow bicycle.”

If you are still hesitant whether to spend time outdoors, in the mountain, have no doubts. This is the way to keep viruses and depression at bay, but also a way to see friendly, smiling faces and most importantly – to look down on the grey humdrum of life from high up, above the clouds.

English version: Milena Daynova