We’ve been thinking about it since the summer and now it’s clear: there will be no skiing on the Dachstein Glacier next winter. Lack of snow and great heat in summer are the reasons. It can be a goodbye forever.
“The little bit of snow last winter, Sahara dust, heat, rain,” says Planai director Georg Bliem (the Dachstein belongs to the Schladming cable car group) as reasons for the decision, which has now been made final.
This year there will be no skiing on the Dachstein. Especially in October and November, when the lower ski areas were not yet in operation, a lot happened at the drag lifts there. “We should have lowered the supports five meters – and had no guarantee that we wouldn’t have to move them next year,” says Bliem.
Danger to life at the top
Climate change can be felt on Styria’s highest mountain at almost 3000 meters. Deep gorges are appearing more and more often and it is strongly recommended to conquer the top only with experienced mountain guides.
The ski decision is valid once this year. However, it is unlikely that the situation will improve in the coming years. Bliem emphasizes that all other offers on the Dachstein – cross-country skiing, ski tours, cable car, etc. – remain in effect.
Greens criticize the Ice Palace
That is exactly what the Greens see critically. They want to control the full tourist use of the glacier and also question state councilor Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP). Parliamentarian Lambert Schönleitner particularly questions the ice palace: “It is unacceptable that the ice cave and the artificial ice figures are cooled with an enormous amount of energy – given the energy crisis, such a waste of energy must in any case be stopped.”
Save up to ten percent energy
According to Bliem, there are plans to save energy this year for the large ski areas of Planai, Hochwurzen and Galsterberg. For example, the speed of the cable cars can be slightly reduced in the afternoon or the lifts can be taken out of service during the snowmaking. Here you see a savings potential of six to ten percent. But no decisions have been made yet.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
