South Tyrolean Ski Areas: Subsidies Possible Again

According to new "sustainable" guidelines, the state of South Tyrol wants to primarily support small ski areas from now until 2023.  

At the suggestion of State Councilor Philipp Achammer, the state government has passed new guidelines according to which the development of ski areas is to be promoted until 2023. The validity of the former funding guidelines expired at the end of 2020.  

"With today's decision and the approval of the new guidelines, we are primarily giving the operators of small ski areas and village lifts the opportunity to apply for state funding for a range of investments," emphasizes Provincial Councilor Achammer. Small ski areas in particular are often not able to handle investments, but are important for local families and also for holidaymakers. "For this reason, we have provided the subsidy to cover operating costs for the village lifts," informs the provincial council. "We have also included a safeguard clause that gives priority to funding applications for village lifts if there is a shortage of funds." 

Funding for reservoirs and covered parking spaces limited

The guidelines continue to distinguish between local ski areas that are not in international competition and ski areas in international competition. According to this, financing for storage reservoirs is no longer possible in local ski areas in international competition. Covered parking spaces in the area of ​​the valley station can no longer be funded from the rotation fund.  

In general, subsidies for snow-making systems, slope preparation equipment, lighting, safety nets, conveyor belts and storage tanks are planned at different levels - depending on the volume and type of investment. Investments in large ski areas with a total capacity of more than 50,000 people per hour are not funded. Ordinary maintenance, investments that are not entered in the register of depreciable goods and lease-back transactions are also excluded from funding. The minimum eligible expenditure is 15,000 euros. 

Apply for state funding by June 30th

Companies that are registered in the Chamber of Commerce and hold concessions can apply for state funding for the development of ski areas. Every concession holder can submit one application for funding per ski area per year, digitally via the state's e-government service using the digital identity (SPID). Aid to cover the operating costs for village lifts can be applied for on your own application form via certified mail (PEC) in the Office for Industry and Mines of the State Department of Economics. Applications must be submitted by June 30 of each year. An exception are the applications for aid for water reservoirs, for which April 30 is the submission deadline.