European politicians want to close ski areas: consequences for the cantons?

European politicians want to close the ski areas: is Switzerland threatened with “enormous damage”?

Italy, France and Germany want to delay the start of the winter season by weeks due to Corona. Austria is reacting and Swiss politicians warn of “irreparable” damage.

Niklaus Vontobel and Stefan Ehrbar / ch media

The “ski war” has broken out – at least according to the German newspaper “Bild”. It all started with a request from the Italian premier Giuseppe Conte. He wants to postpone the start of the winter season at European level – at least until mid-January. “It is not possible to allow a winter vacation. We can’t afford it, “he told broadcaster” La 7 “on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron agrees with him: it was “impossible” to open the ski areas during the holidays. Various media reports that Italy, France and Germany want to establish a coordinated European calendar.

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder had already signaled support: Anyone skiing in risky areas must be in quarantine for ten days, he said. He would prefer a uniform agreement: “No ski lift open anywhere or no vacation anywhere”.

The federal government looks abroad

Such an approach would also interest the Alpine countries. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz opposed on Wednesday: his country will decide independently on the opening.

During talks with the EU Council President and the Commission, he agreed that “this is not an issue where the EU should interfere,” he said. Finance Minister Gernort Blümel had already asked the EU for billions in compensation if the lifts were to stop at Christmas.

Official Switzerland is still waiting. The Federal Office of Public Health has been in contact with various countries on this issue for a long time and currently maintains these contacts, says a spokesperson. Follow the development carefully. “At the moment” there is no closure of the ski areas.

The Grisons warn of bankruptcy

Marcus Caduff, the director of economics of the canton of Graubünden, speaks out against the plans. Warns: if the ski areas really close at Christmas, “the damage would be enormous and often irreparable.”

In the side valleys in particular, the economic consequences could no longer be reversed, Caduff said. “I assume that a large number of mountain railways would go bankrupt.”

The days from Christmas to New Year would represent about one third of the annual turnover of ski lifts and mountain restaurants. Caduff doubts that the closure of ski resorts will help against the virus. People still wanted to get out of the cities and go to the mountains in winter.

If the masses were not allowed to ski, there would be crowds in the shops and villages. “This wouldn’t help anyone.” They have excellent protection concepts that are currently being tested on glaciers and with which there are “excellent experiences”.

“Switzerland is an independent country”

Jürg Schmid, president of Graubünden Ferien, suggests the same thing: “It wouldn’t be justified not to let the season unfold,” he says. Safe operation is possible, also thanks to rigorous protection concepts on the slopes and on the ski lifts. This is why there is little to be gained from Italian ideas.

Schmid does not believe that Switzerland can be put under pressure if the start of the season is delayed around them. “Switzerland is an independent country”. The Federal Office of Public Health must and will decide independently. “Winter tourism in Graubünden will strictly adhere to it”.

“People go skiing in Valais”

Valais politicians had already found strong tones. State Councilor Christophe Darbellay (CVP) told the “Walliser Bote”: “In Valais, people ski during the holiday season and eat in restaurants, whatever Italy does”. Switzerland is not in the EU and is therefore not interested. The situation of the krone in Valais is improving day by day. Not everything will be possible, but Valais will be able to offer guests a minimal program. “The winter season will start in an orderly fashion”.

Markus Häsler, CEO of Zermatt Bergbahnen, told the newspaper that the Italian advance was a “pure air bubble”. The EU could do what it wants, but Switzerland “would never, ever get along”. Whether Switzerland can oppose a coordinated European approach, however, seems open given the still above-average number of crown cases.

If the Swiss ski resorts were the only ones open, they would have a unique strength. However, European countries could issue travel warnings for Switzerland or impose a quarantine obligation, with a significant impact on the number of foreign tourists. For once, Swiss tourism professionals must hope that Austria will prevail. (bzbasel.ch)