Skiing at Christmas: Do Swiss ski resorts benefit from going alone? – News



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The ski season in Europe will only start in January. But the Swiss ski resorts don’t want to know.

Italy, France and Germany want to postpone the start of the ski season to January and are calling for a coordinated approach at European level. Due to the tense situation in Italy and Europe, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte suggests that skiing throughout Europe should only be allowed from 10 January: “It is not possible to allow a winter vacation, we cannot afford it”.

Ski resorts in France are likely to stand still during the holiday season. Because President Emmanuel Macron has announced three easing measures. The opening of the winter resorts is therefore not scheduled until January 20. However, French ski destinations have been surprised by this announcement and do not want to accept it.

Germany also wants to close the ski areas

And signals in this direction also come from Bavaria, where most of the German ski areas are located. The request of the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder is clear: “I would prefer that we have a uniform agreement at the European level: no lift open anywhere – or no vacation anywhere”.

The presidents of the ministers of the federal states ask the federal government to examine the ban on snow holidays at the EU level. This emerges from a document of the 16 prime ministers available to the Reuters news agency. “The federal government is being asked to come up with agreed regulations at the European level so as not to allow ski tourism until January 10,” it reads.

The request for closure of ski areas has been the subject of criticism

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Söder’s claim is not undisputed in Germany. The opposition comes from tourism representatives and environmentalists, among others. “Safety comes first even in winter. But I am convinced that skiing is possible to a certain extent and with clear criteria without problems, ”says Thomas Bareiss, Federal Commissioner for Tourism.

Tourism representatives from the Bavarian winter sports regions also pointed out that the Christmas holidays have been one of the most important times of the season in recent years, despite the lack of snow. “A closure would have fatal consequences for tourism,” said Maximilian Hillmeier, tourism director of the Bad Hindelang community in Allgäu.

A shorter ski season probably won’t have a positive effect on the environment either, said Thomas Frey, regional officer for Allgäu at the Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation. “I’m afraid individual athletes will march across the country through the mountains.” This would disturb endangered species such as grouse and ptarmigan in their retreat areas.

Austria is also vehemently resisting a general closure of ski resorts. Finance Minister Gernot Blümel has asked the EU for billions in compensation if the ski lifts are to actually be closed during the Christmas holidays. And Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says: “When someone uses a ski lift, it’s similar to when they use public transport. You have to make decisions based on these aspects. “

The Swiss ski resorts should remain open

And Switzerland? Some ski areas have already started operating and want to stay open. Rudolf Hauri, president of the cantonal doctors, is convinced that he can control the situation. He writes: «The basis of the protection concept of the Seilbahnen Schweiz with the obligation to wear protective masks in and on the lifts and waiting areas form a good basis for safe winter sports. Depending on the epidemiological development and the first experiences after the start of the season, adjustments may be necessary. ”Safe winter sports are possible when everyone participates.

We currently have our hands full to offer our guests a safe and enjoyable skiing experience this year.

It is also clear to the Valais Councilor of State Christoph Darbellay: “In Valais you can ski and eat in restaurants during the Christmas holidays, whatever Italy does”, as he told the “Walliser Bote”.

Switzerland could become one of the few Alpine countries that allows ski holidays during the holiday season. The temptation for winter sports resorts to want to benefit from this situation is evident. Max Wolf, the head of the Weisse Arena in Laax, nods in greeting: “This is not the focus of our considerations. At the moment we have our hands full to offer our guests a safe and enjoyable ski experience this year. ”The managers in Switzerland know that if the virus spreads uncontrollably, the ski season will end again quickly.

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