Wurzeralm Ends Ski Season Early

Despite the good snow conditions, the cable car operation on the Wurzeralm will be ended prematurely on March 13, as announced at the end of November, since a continuation in the current winter season would no longer make economic sense due to the low occupancy rate. The ski route remains open and the slopes can still be used by touring and snowshoe hikers. 

It is not possible to continue operations in the current season

"We did not take the decision lightly, but the overall economic situation caused by the pandemic does not currently justify the continuation of operations," says Helmut Holzinger, CEO of Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm Bergbahnen AG. It was already communicated at the start of the season that due to the exceptional situation of the pandemic, an early end of the season must be expected. The decision to close affects only the current winter season. There is no debate about the location, the summer operation in 2022 and the winter operation in 2022/23 will take place again according to plan. 

Solution developed for bookings that have already been made

Since there are already some bookings from overnight guests for the last part of the season - including school ski courses - which will now be cancelled, the cable car operators have worked out solutions. There will be a free shuttle for school classes from the Wurzeralm to the Hinterstoder ski area.

“Sport and exercise in the fresh air are important for the physical and mental health of our children. Due to the pandemic, however, hardly any school events have been held in the last two years. In order to make the school ski course possible despite the earlier closure of the Wurzeralm ski area without additional financial burdens for Upper Austrian families, the state of Upper Austria is covering the costs for the shuttle bus from the accommodation to Hinterstoder," emphasizes family officer Deputy Governor. dr Manfred Haimbuchner.

Accommodation transfers from the Wurzeralm to Hinterstoder are also currently being examined. "We do everything to ensure that our overnight guests who have booked their accommodation on the Wurzeralm for after March 13, 2022 can still enjoy their skiing," says Helmut Holzinger. 

Georg Schürrer from the Lindenhof "Das Jugendparadies" in Spital am Pyhrn, one of the affected accommodation providers, is also trying to look ahead in a solution-oriented manner: "The situation is extremely unpleasant for us and our guests, but we will work together with the ski area for the next few weeks looking for the best solution for our school classes. You have earned the ski course after such a long time. We demand clear signals for further development and site security in the area of ​​​​alpine skiing on the Wurzeralm."

Continue to the Wurzeralm with touring skis and snowshoes 

The slopes remain open as a ski route on the Wurzeralm. Thus, winter sports enthusiasts and mountain lovers can continue to visit the Wurzeralm with touring skis and snowshoes in the current winter season.