Ski season in Bavaria starts soon: price increases and climate challenges!

Ski season in Bavaria starts soon: price increases and climate challenges!

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Deutschland - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (dpa/lby)- In a few weeks, it will be time for winter fans to strap the skis and make the slopes unsafe in Germany. At the end of November and early December, the first Bavarian ski areas are ready for the new season, and the hope of enough snow and frost is high. In view of the progressive climate change, however, the operators have to cope with numerous challenges.

The costs for ski passes will increase this season, which is largely due to the general price increases in areas such as energy and personnel. The association of German cable cars and drag lifts (VDS) has announced that the increase will remain below three percent on average. After all, the association continues to see skiing pleasure as a good price-performance ratio compared to other leisure activities.

Zugspitze as a pioneer

The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, will be the first classic ski area to open the gates on November 29. Surprisingly, the operators rely on natural snow there. Snow cannons cannot be found there; Instead, you use snow leaks from the last winter to be able to prepare the slopes. In the past winter season, experiences show that many things would not have been possible without artificial snow - especially the valley runs were badly affected.

Although the valley stations had to struggle with little snow, the situation in the higher locations was often better. The unequal snow distribution illustrates the effects of climate change: While the upper regions of our Alps benefit from more precipitation, the lower parts often fight with unexpectedly high temperatures. The lift operators are constantly presenting these circumstances with new challenges, especially when it comes to planning security.

extreme weather conditions and their consequences

A particularly critical point is the Platt lift on the Zugspitze. Whether this can go into operation in the current season is uncertain due to the rapid erosion of the northern snow, one of only four remaining German glaciers. This old standard path has changed in a dangerous slope, which is now classified as a black slope, i.e. only for experienced drivers. Before the lift entry, there are restrictions due to the inclination that will soon be discussed.

The growing frequency of extreme weather means continuing uncertainty. But despite these difficulties, the operators are confident. With a high proportion of 74 percent renewable electricity, as the VDS can report, many lift operating companies manage to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions. For a climate -friendly journey, many operators offer additional transport options to reduce the ecological footprint of a skiing.

In the Berchtesgadener Land, the Jennerbahn, which traditionally ran skiing, is planning a so -called "conscious turn of the times". From November 30th, visitors will no longer only be able to go to skiing, but also for tobogganing and winter hiking into the mountains. This is a signal for the change that many ski regions have to be passed through in the coming years.

diversity of the winter offer

The learning curve for the Alpine winter sports offer has far from being stopped. While skiing on plastic mats does not find the desired popularity here, lift operators take steps in a new direction. Mountain bikers and "carts" have found their place on the mountains, and the toboggan runs on the piston saddle are also said to provide variety in winter. Such innovations encounter resistance from environmental and conservationists who fear a felt "Disneyland effect" in the mountains.

A special challenge, however, is the weather situation: the past winter has been one of the warmest since the beginning of the weather records, which also makes the snow situation on the slopes more difficult. It turns out that artificial snow is only possible under ideal conditions - and this is increasingly a problem of temperature fluctuations.

The future of ski tourism is a hotly discussed topic. Scientists warn that ski tourism, due to climate change, could shift to altitudes. A study shows that around 13 percent of the global ski areas could lose their natural blanket by the century, provided that greenhouse gas emissions remain high.

But courage is very important: "We want to offer resource-saving winter sports offers for everyone," explains VDS board member Matthias Stauch, while the operators work to develop sustainable perspectives.