But cones, barrels, wooden pyramids and an orange Unimog, at least when Marktredwitz in Upper Franconia invites you to the first Bavarian snow plow championship – in the middle of summer.
If it snows the most anywhere in Germany, then of course it’s in Bavaria – if only because of the Zugspitze, but Balderschwang in the Oberallgäu is said to be at the forefront as well. Bavaria’s winter service providers, on the other hand, have not played a role in the fight for first place. While they are braving the heavy snow, they apparently have time elsewhere to curve around cones, push barrels around and clear wooden pyramids in layers. But that should all be different now.
And not at all because of the progressing climate change, which could also give Bavaria’s winter services more and more time for dry runs. But because for the first time there is now the opportunity to qualify for competition with other federal states under the patronage of the Prime Minister. The mayor of the city of Marktredwitz has just invited to the 1st Bavarian snow plow championships.
In all likelihood, there will be no natural snow on May 10 in Marktredwitz, and it will probably be too warm for the operation of snow cannons, despite the 529 meters above sea level in the Fichtelgebirge. But you don’t need snow for snowplough championships, just cones, barrels, wooden pyramids and an orange Unimog, like the ones that will be ready for free practice at the Marktredwitz construction yard the day before. The first Bavarian masters may then probably take part in the German championship.
It was held for the first time in 2017, but actually didn’t deserve its name without Bavarian participation. How else could two teams from Brandenburg win the first time, although Brandenburg is almost Berlin? Silver at the following World Championships, the “International Snowfighter Championship” 2018 in Gdansk, was then won by the third-placed nationwide from NRW.
In Bavaria, the new summer sport is still in its infancy. The championships are intended to “draw the public’s attention to the demanding winter service” and also serve to attract young talent, according to Marktredwitz. Maybe snow plow driving will even become a professional sport in time before there is no more snow at all below the Zugspitze.