In view of the looming energy crisis in winter, there could be reduced operation in the Swiss ski areas. If push comes to shove and the government imposes consumption restrictions, the mountain railways could save up to 20 percent in electricity consumption, said the managing director of the Swiss Mountain Railways Association, Berno Stoffel. “We have different options, with the speed, the number of gondolas and the operating times.” In any case, it should be uncomfortable for skiers, as Stoffel’s explanations show: In a first step, the mountain railways want to voluntarily save five percent electricity and, among other things, reduce comfort. “It’s about switching off advertising lighting, reducing heating, cold water in toilet facilities, night trips, gutter heating and so on. We are in the process of determining a whole range of measures that the mountain railways can also implement.” So far, Switzerland has not planned any energy-saving regulations and does not have an emergency plan like the EU, in which countries are supposed to voluntarily save 15 percent on gas.
Switzerland – skiers face cuts – economy
