Winter sports have a number of fans in Bulgaria and the number of those who ski or snowboard grows. But there is a group of riders that most of the ordinary leisure skiers hardly ever notice. This is because these riders are looking for direct contact with nature and maximum distance from the groomed ski runs. They ride from the tops of rocky peaks that they conquered themselves and ski through woods, where witnesses of their skills are often only hares.

However, fans of freeriding and extreme skiing in Bulgaria have the opportunity to compete and check their progress in the freeride competitions organized by the Bulgarian Extreme and FreeSkiing Association (BEFSA). This winter, the association has organized a freeride competition with its arena being three Bulgarian mountains - Pirin, Rila and Vitosha. The main goal is more people to experience the freedom of backcountry skiing and to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Ilian Petrov is a major driving force in the organization of freeride ski competitions, as well as trainings related to safety in this sport. He is part of the Mountain Rescue Service in Bulgaria and has been part of BEFSA from the very beginning of its activities. Ilian Petrov is the only Bulgarian who has been among the top 50 skiers in the rankings of the International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association and has a number of successful participations in extreme events in Bulgaria and abroad. He told us more about free skiing and this year's Freeride BG Tour.

"This year we launched an initiative called Freeride BG Tour. Its main goal is to have more events in the form of freeride competitions. We planned three rounds or three separate competitions in three different mountains. The first round did not happen because of high avalanche risk and we are now focused on the second round, which will take place in the Rila Mountain. "

The second round of Freeride BG Tour will be held on February 28 near the RIla Lakes hut in RIla, while the last round is scheduled for March 7 and its location will be Vitosha. “Of course, freeride competitions are held only in case conditions allow it,” says Ilian Petrov. Respect for the power of nature is one of the most important things that free skiers and snowboarders learn. Proper assessment of avalanche danger, and the ability to change your intentions when conditions do not allow their implementation, can often be of critical importance to life.

Safety when participating in freeride competitions is of paramount importance and equipment, including helmet, avalanche transceiver, back protector, probe, shovel, etc. is compulsory. In assessing the performance of the participants in the Freeride BGTour, into account are taken style, line of descent, number of falls and many other factors, which form the final evaluation of judges. Participants are skiers and snowboarders, and the maximum number of competitors in each round is 60.

According to Ilian Petrov, more and more young people become attracted by freeriding because of the unique experience and contact with nature. He does not know of someone who has given up off-piste skiing once they started, but adds that it takes years for necessary knowledge and skills to accumulate. That is why good riders step firmly on the ground, despite the fact their purpose is always that feeling of flight.

"All those who are just discovering the sport should know they are welcome. It is better to start with educational courses in order to know what you are facing, but in addition to knowledge one needs skills. It is important that a person progresses gradually and has a realistic assessment of their skill. A freerider should choose his or her line according to their skills,” says Ilian Petrov from the Bulgarian Extreme and FreeSkiing Association.

English: Alexander Markov