Ski areas in need: less snow, higher costs, impending slopes!

In the Austrian Alps there are alarming developments in the ski areas. Several ski regions are severely affected by a decline in natural snow and unfavorable economic conditions. In Vorarlberg, especially in the ski lifts of Schetteregg, the previous season with just 40 days of operations started the managing directors. Managing Director Hannes Waldner reported difficulties to convert operating costs to competitive ticket prices. The snow is rare, because since the 1960s the natural snow has decreased by 30 percent at high altitudes under 1,500 meters, so that some areas in Salzburg and Carinthia, such as Gaißau-Hintersee, have had to stand up for two years and have had to make bankruptcy reports.

While the economic challenges increase in many regions, the search for the best ski areas for winter sports enthusiasts remains important. According to a ranking of Snowtrex, the French ski area Les 3 Vallées leads in the 2024/2025 winter season. With over 600 kilometers of slopes and an impressive snow height of up to 8 meters a year, it offers both beginners and professionals numerous options. Here not only places are placed on excellent slopes, but also on a diverse après-ski offer that guarantees a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Chamonix is ​​also celebrated for his snow security and offers an average of over 13 meters of fresh snow - a true Eldorado for skiers every year.

ski areas fight for preservation

The strong decline in natural snow and increasing operating costs cause a livelihood in many ski areas, not only in Vorarlberg, but also in Styria and Upper Austria, where several lifts have already been closed. The Flattnitz ski area in Carinthia is also particularly affected. Only two out of six slopes are open for the 2024/2025 season after the lift company ended on bankruptcy, while operators in Styria are skeptical of the 2024/2025 season. Sonja Schmoll from Die Schmoll Liften at Semmering explains that the uncertainty in the company is annoying. In Lower Austria, the season starts in Lackenhof on the Ötscher to the 14th of the snow was postponed to the infrastructure from public hands.