The winter sports areas are also facing challenges this year. Prices are rising again. But things are looking almost perfect for the start of the season: the lifts start – many times earlier than usual.
You can see it from a distance: the mountains are white – the snow is there. The winter sports season can also start earlier than usual in some German ski areas – after Austria.
The first lifts in Baden-Württemberg started on Wednesday, at Söllereck near Oberstdorf they are scheduled to start on Thursday, followed on Friday by the Feldberg in the Black Forest and the Zugspitze, among others.
The ski season also starts unusually early in Sauerland next weekend. Winterberg wants to start this Friday with up to 30 centimeters of natural snow and good conditions for the snow cannons. The Altenberg ski and toboggan arena in the Eastern Ore Mountains is also planning this.
On Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, there are three lifts, compared to just one in the previous two years. According to the Bayerischer Zugspitzbahn, the snow depth on the slopes is up to 1.50 meters, and off the slopes it is even up to 1.80 meters, more than in previous years at this time. It is also said from Oberstdorf that Ms. Holle meant well. “The heavy snowfall of the last few days as well as the expected winter precipitation and the great commitment of the employees enable an early start to the season at Söllereck.”
Operators speak of a picture-perfect start
In the Upper Bavarian Alps Plus in the Spitzingsee area and Sudelfeld, the first lifts are scheduled to run this weekend; the operators are talking about a picture-perfect start. Other areas will follow – skiers should be able to ski everywhere by Christmas Day.
Today the Association of German Cable Cars and Drag Lifts (VDS) in Munich wants to give an outlook on the season. One thing is already clear: skiing fun is becoming more expensive again. Depending on the ski area, it will probably cost between four and ten percent more, according to a survey of ski areas by Bayerischer Rundfunk in October. Other media also reported on the higher prices. In Austria, prices are also rising by up to ten percent. The operators say that the increased prices, especially for energy and staff, are also affecting the lifts.
The snow groomers have been on the move at the 2,962 meter high Zugspitze for a few weeks. They spread the previous year’s snow, which had remained packed in hollows, on the slopes. “There was a lot of snow throughout the summer. This is a very good basis for our slopes on the Zugspitzplatt,” says spokeswoman for the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn, Verena Tanzer. After two Corona years and a winter marked by the energy crisis, it looks like a normal winter again for the first time.
Day ticket for 62 euros
At the Zugspitze and in the Garmisch Classic area, the day ticket costs 62 euros, five euros more than last winter. The ski pass in the border ski region Oberstdorf and Kleinwalsertal is similarly expensive at 62.90 euros (2022/2023: 57.50 euros). In Austria, with its often more extensive areas, prices are sometimes over 70 euros.
The Alpen Plus ski areas Sudelfeld and Brauneck remain just under the 50 euro mark at 49.50 euros. At the Jenner in Berchtesgaden the day pass costs 42 euros, as does the Großer Arber (pre-season: 39 euros).
It is important that skiing remains affordable for families, says the spokeswoman for the Association of German Cable Cars and T-bars, Gudrun Hiemerer. That’s why there are further discounts for children, young people and families. “It’s important to us to bring children into the snow.”
Climate change and sustainability remain an issue
Topics for lift operators remain climate change and sustainability. Only two percent of a winter sports enthusiast’s CO2 footprint comes from the activities in the ski area itself, while 78 percent comes from the journey and 20 percent from the overnight stay, writes the VDS, citing studies. “The shorter the journey, the better the CO2 balance,” is how the association promotes winter sports at home. In addition, many ski and hiking areas are well connected to public transport.
Klaus Stöttner, President of the Upper Bavaria and Munich Tourism Association, also advocates for the local mountains. “The most sustainable vacation is when it is done in the region.” In addition, the money stays in the country. Without snowmaking, everything would be in danger. “Then people go to Austria, South Tyrol, France or Switzerland. Or they fly to the Caribbean.” However, many guests had rethought, opted for ski tours and hiking and used public transport to get there. Winter tourism accounts for 40 percent in Bavaria and 60 percent in summer.
Future of winter sports in Bavaria questioned
Environmentalists have long questioned the future of winter sports in Bavaria. They particularly criticize the use of snow cannons. Last season, in view of the energy crisis, they called for artificial snow to be completely avoided. Critics of snowmaking, including the German Alpine Association, continue to demand a waiver of the tax-financed support for snow cannons, which has been extended again in Bavaria.
After all, the lift operators had saved on snowmaking in the previous season and foregone heating of chairlift seats and radiant heaters on the terraces of the snack huts.
This year, for example, guests in the Garmisch Classic ski area will once again be able to ride up the mountain in warm seats. However, snowmaking is carried out strictly according to a step-by-step plan, says spokeswoman Tanzer. “We want to continue to conserve energy and water.”