Local politics seem to be behind a decision to close ski lifts at Krasnaya Polyana ski resort in Russia earlier this month, leaving angry skiers and boarders with no means to ascend the slopes.

Krasnaya Polyana near the Black Sea resort of Sochi is the venue for Russia’s 2014 Olympic bid, strongly backed by the Kremlin and President Putin who has a holiday home in the area. It is one of three finalists to host the Games along with the runners-up for 2010 behind Whistler, Korea and Salzburg which withdrew from bidding for 2010 at a late stage when it was a finalist. Under the Sochi Olympic bid, the area would be a designated venue for the freestyle skiing competition.

The resort has developed rapidly in recent years although a promised $12 billion investments promised are still some way off. The development has concerned environment agencies such as Greenpeace who have recently been campaigning at the resort.

The lift closure was ordered by local government inspectors who said lifts were unsafe, but the lift operator claimed it was a political move. President Putin subsequently expressed doubts in Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref’s claim that Sochi’s “smooth” preparations for its bid.