Bogë-Ski Resort

By Arta Pllana & Gëzim Kasapolli

Hello and welcome, from the studios of UN Radio in Kosovo, I am

30 kilometers west of Pec/Peja –Bogë ski resort has finally opened its slopes to visitors. Although not very well known, Bogë is trying to put itself on the map for ski enthusiasts by offering seclusion and a burgeoning network of ski runs. Surrounded by mountains access to mobile phone networks is difficult. And with no fixed phone lines in place inhabitants have to rely on radio to communicate with the outside world.

Hajrush Demaj is one of Kosovo skiing pioneers. He began to ski on these mountains some 55 years ago. Ultimately, his was a rich sports career, one that resulted in many ski titles in Kosovo and in the former Yugoslavia.

Demaj

“Boge is a place where skiing was born. Villagers at that time started skiing on wooden skis here. However, everyone who thought that something will be fixed in Bogë 50 years ago left Bogë and went to Brezovica.”

Considering the lack of infrastructure and equipment, Bogë residents are touting the resort as an untapped goldmine for investors. Locals like Bujar Kelmendi say they can run a good business with only one ski lift. By comparison - everything is cheaper than at Kosovo’s most established resort, Brezovica. Prices range from 10 euros per day for ski-lift tickets and 5 euros for ski equipment at Bogë, although there is much less variety in terrain.

Kelmendi

“Visitors come here a lot, but the ski lift can be used only by skiers, because it is not a chair lift. We are interested in bringing a chair lift to place it in another part of the mountain. If we do this, the ski lift would run at 100% capacity for those who are not skiers.”

Locals also point out that Bogë’s ski-facilities are perfect for children. The ski runs are suited for beginners and Bogë is gearing its marketing to younger age demographics. Agim Pupovci is a ski trainer:

Pupovci

“I am the owner of skiing school ‘Dardania’and this school has 24 beds, offers base, advantage and competition school. At the same time we do transport of children, we have driver, take them from cities and bring them up. “

Besides the ski school accommodations, Bogë also offers private bungalows– something Pec/Peja resident Lumnije Decani, says is perfect for one day trips.

Lumnije

“For Peja residents this place is very close to, so it is pity not to use it; this year we had the opportunity to use these weekend cottages. We use to come here before but this year there is a difference, conditions are better, more adaptable and also the ski tracks are very good, you could that it is good maintained.”

According to former ski champion Demaj, the mountains around Bogë are suitable for super slalom and super G events because the ski runs are 3 to 4 km long. But for an economically viable ski-resort one ski lift is not enough to accommodate development. Add to the equation the exorbitant cost of installing a new lift and maintaining the few ski runs on its mountain, and it is not hard to see why Demaj says that big investments are needed in Bogë.

Demaj

“I think if it is going to be investment of money from abroad, from international donors but also from domestic; within 3 to 4 years this place will blossom and shine and could become a resort with international fame.”

But even without international fame, up to 1000 visitors visit the village during winter weekends. Of this number more than 150 of them actually put on a pair of skis to go down Borgë’s slopes - not bad for a small and isolated ski-resort with only one ski lift.

And with this we end today’s programme, a UN Radio in Kosovo production.