The Ski Center takes its name from the toponym of the mountain that hosts it. The word "Kaimaktsalan" has Turkish roots and literally means the thief of the cream, the foam. Why this name was given is not fully ascertained and there are several interpretations based on what was passed down orally from generation to generation. However, the prevailing version says that it means White Mountain, because of its snow-capped peaks.
Mount Kaimaktsalan or Voras is located on the border with the state of Skopje and its ridge forms the boundary line between the two states.
At its top and on the border line there is the church of Prophet Ilias, which is a monument to the 1st World War, while near it is the cenotaph of the victims who fell in the battles that took place on its slopes.
Most of it has been proposed to be included in the "Natura 2000" network areas.
At the foot of the mountain is Lake Vegoritida, one of the largest in Greece in terms of extent and depth, which stretches across the geographical boundaries of the three prefectures of Pella-Florina-Kozani and is protected by the Ramshar treaty.
The view from the mountain is amazing since one can see with the naked eye as far as Thermaikos gulf, the peak of Olympus and the mountain range of Pindos.
The Ski Center starts from about 2050m where there is the main chalet, parking areas, ski schools, beginner slopes, rental shops, publishing houses and the first lift and ends at 2480m where the arrival station of the highest lift in Greece is located.
The operation of the Ski Center began in January 1995 under the responsibility of the Municipal Enterprise of Edessa. Since then it remains open from the end of November to the beginning of May and is one of the few ski resorts in Greece with such a long duration of snow suitable for skiing.
In total in Bora there are 14 tracks of various degrees of difficulty: 2 racing tracks with electronic timer, 5 difficult tracks, 3 easy and 3 baby tracks (very easy). Finally, a snowboard Fun park, a track with somersaults and jumps has been created.
For going to the slopes there are 6 Lifts, an aerial two-seater "chair" 1,600 m long (at 2,100-2,350 m), a sliding "anchor" 900 m long (at 2,200-2,480 m, the highest altitude at which it can to reach Greece by "anchor"), two sliding "dishes" 780 and 500 meters long and finally 2 smaller sliding Lifts.
Mount Boras is characterized by rich and rare vegetation which includes many flora species difficult to find in Greece and the wider Balkan area, it supports a large number of fauna (birds, amphibians, reptiles) making Boras an important habitat for the ecological balance of the place. A rare characteristic of Bora is the existence of water bodies even at a very high altitude (Skopia - Kremasis springs 2,400 m.).
In Mount Boras or Kaimaktsalan there are beautiful hiking and climbing routes of unique natural beauty, which is why many nature lovers and mountaineering clubs organize excursions in the area.
One of the routes that is accessible to all walkers is the one that ends at "Pema tou Floros".
The route starts from the intersection of the F.OE (Edessa Naturalist Club) refuge in Bora and reaches Pema, crossing a verdant location with numerous waterfalls.
The route takes about 60 minutes for a trip and return.
Also, from the area of the Ski Center of Bora at Spastiras there is a forest road that leads to the Xadanoko peak (altitude 1,787). This route takes about an hour (return-return). Towards the same peak, a crossing can also be made from the traditional settlement of Agios Athanasios through a beech forest. The same route leads even higher, to the peak of Piperitsa (altitude 1998) after four hours of crossing.
From the area of St. Athanasiou even passes the international path E 4/6 that leads to Skopos Florinis through beech forest and ravines. Total duration of crossing five (5) hours.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
