Winter dream in danger: Hochstein ski area remains closed

Winter dream in danger: Hochstein ski area remains closed

in the city of Lienz, Tyrol, the winter plans for the popular Hochstein ski area are on the brink this year. This is a disappointing news for the ski fans, because the ski area remains closed this winter. This not only affects skiers, but also on the local hotels and restaurants that depend on the guests.

The reasons for the closure are complex. According to the Bergbahnen Supervisory Board, Franz Theurl, the chair lifts are in an outdated state and there is a need to replace the armchair clamps. However, these should no longer be delivered in time. This means that the operation of the lifts remains impossible, which is a significant threat to the gastronomy and hotel industry on site.

economic effects for local companies

The effects of the closure are already noticeable. Reinhold Tiefenbacher, a hotelier from the region, reported that 80 percent of his bookings have already been canceled, which he described as a "big disaster". He is faced with the question of how he should report to his employees in the difficult situation that the Hotel Moosalm may remain closed all winter. The ongoing operating costs also ensure frustrating challenges.

Margit Stotter, the head of the Grulbelhof, continues this pain and describes the decision to close as a "hard club" that was beaten through the industry. Meanwhile, Peter Csonka, owner of the Schlossberghof, expresses that his operation will survive thanks to the position in the valley floor, even if he has to adjust to a decline from guests. Nevertheless, he will open his restaurant for the Christmas season.

The economic situation of the mountain railways is, however, worrying. Theurl emphasizes that he has been working on renovating the facilities for a long time, but simply lacking the financial means for winter operation. Even an expensive operation of the first section would cause considerable costs - this shows the pitfalls and risks that arise when maintaining such tourist facilities.

The closure of the ski area is therefore not only a tragic turn for the ski lovers, but also a serious threat to the region's economy. as www.watson.de reports To wait and see which measures are taken to improve the situation and whether the mountain railways will be able to resume a company again in the future.