Upper Austrian Ski Areas Continue To Rely On Sustainable Snowmaking
As part of a summit discussion entitled “An optimistic view - top energy and climate balance of our ski areas” with representatives of the local cable cars, ski tourism researcher Günther Aigner looked at the situation in Upper Austria's ski areas today at Linz's Pöstlingberg. The focus was on the sustainability of technical snowmaking.
“Climate change is a fact, but the impact on local ski areas is overestimated. Regardless, the natural start of winter varies by up to three months. “Frau Holle” is unreliable,” says ski tourism researcher Aigner. For this reason, technical snow production in Austrian ski areas is an important stability factor in order to be able to consistently offer winter sports. With regard to snow production, Aigner also dispels the myth that it is “evil”: “The water used is not used or polluted. After the snow melts, it returns to the natural water cycle completely, unchanged and drinkable.” In summer, these snow-covered areas are often wonderful flower meadows. Thanks to the proven occurrence of Red List species (e.g. the grasshopper wartbiter), ski slopes can make a contribution to species protection.
Modern snowmaking systems are also not “energy guzzlers” because the snow guns are constantly being developed further in the interests of energy efficiency.
Upper Austrian ski areas are pioneers in sustainability
Local ski areas have been dealing with the issue of sustainability in operational management for several years. The Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm mountain railways, for example, have set themselves the goal of being able to operate energy self-sufficiently by 2030. Investments have been made in this area for years: new, modern, energy-saving lifts and snow guns as well as photovoltaic systems, the use of 100% green electricity and the conception of new electricity generation models. “Electricity is without a doubt a major cost factor in our business. We are constantly working on sustainable development in this area. Upper Austrian ski areas are also very future- and progress-oriented in the area of technical snowmaking!” says Helmut Holzinger, board member of Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen AG and spokesman for the Upper Austrian cable car industry.
Rupert Schiefer, board member of the Dachstein West ski area and managing director of the Upper Austrian cable car holding, points to the importance of the local cable car industry for tourism value creation in Upper Austria: “Cable cars are important engines for the economic development of entire regions in summer and winter. We secure and create jobs - directly and indirectly - and provide important impetus for the further development of tourism." Rural regions are sustainably strengthened by the cable car companies, because the region's added value is massively increased. Through direct spending by guests on site, such as hotels, restaurants, ski schools, sports and grocery stores, through to regional developments in which the construction industry and many craft businesses are commissioned. “Without cable car operations, many valleys would be development areas,” says Schiefer.
A week of snowmaking ensures the entire winter season
Ing. Mag. Gerald Paschinger, managing director of Hochficht Bergbahnen, explains the situation using the specific example of his ski area. “Whereas in the past you had to wait for natural snow that fell before, during or after Christmas, ski operations have now become much more predictable with technical snowmaking,” says Paschinger. “We basically use snowmaking in such a way that skiing can ideally start at the beginning of December. This ability to plan is very important for everyone involved in the entire skiing value chain. The mountain railways are the leading companies in the regions, but only make up 20% of the value chain. The other partners are the hotel industry, restaurants, retailers and various other companies, which also each make up 20% of the value chain.” According to Gerald Paschinger, snowmaking at Hochficht takes a week. This means skiing is guaranteed for the entire season. For the rest of the season, snow guns are generally no longer used until the end of the season. “One week of snowmaking ensures 16 weeks of skiing fun,” says Paschinger.
About the summit talks
The summit discussions are a new series of events organized by the snow&fun group and the Upper Austrian cable car industry, which examine current topics relating to tourism developments in the local mountains from the perspective of the cable car industry. The topic “An optimistic view - top energy and climate balance of our ski areas” is followed by the second summit discussion with the topic “Skiing delights the body and mind” on January 11th, 2024 and the third on February 15th, 2024 with the topic “New offers for new guests”.
