Ski areas in danger: climate change forces drastic closures!

Ski areas in danger: climate change forces drastic closures!

Weyregg am Attersee, Österreich - Global warming has shaken the winter sports world! More and more ski areas have to close their gates forever, and the reasons are alarming: rising temperatures and economic difficulties are increasing the popular winter destinations. While the winter season 2024/2025 is just around the corner and the prices for daily passes shoot up, many regions are fighting for survival. The pressure is enormous and some ski areas can simply no longer keep up.

A particularly tragic example is the Jenner ski area on the Königssee in Germany. The news that the company is hired came like a shock for winter athletes. Millions were only invested in the modernization a few years ago, but the demand is simply no longer available, as Thomas Mühlthaler from Berchtesgadener Bergbahn AG explained. Instead of skiing, alternative winter activities such as tobogganing and winter hiking is now being used. However, the cable car remains in operation all year round.

closures in Europe

In Austria, the small ski lift on Wachtberg in Weyregg is closed forever. After decades of operation, the mining work is already underway. Wolfgang Spießberger, who headed the family business, said sadly: "It was no longer possible." It doesn't look better in France: the Alpe du Grand Serre ski area closes due to the high costs for artificial snow and economic pressure. "It breaks our heart," said MP Marie-Noëlle Battiste. La Sambuy and Le Grand Puy in France also have to shut down their lifts, while Métabief plans to close 30 percent of his slopes in the Jura Mountains. Protests of the population have already been sparked.