In four days the last skier was able to cross the Kasberg wagging his tail. Sentiment in the region is at an all-time low. Plan B? no. A local inspection of “Krone” shows that there is more than “just” skiing.
What should we say to the guests who already want to book for next year? In March and April we are already making plans for the coming season. We are totally in the air!” – The news that on March 12, so in four days’ time, the last skier could swing over the Kasberg into the valley shocks ski school operator Doris Weidinger. And she is not the only one who is shocked – the whole region is in a hangover mood at the local inspection “Krone” on Tuesday.
In 2016, the state of Upper Austria decided to compensate one million euros in losses every year until 2026. The prerequisite: a long-term strategy that includes a year-round operation and the four owner communities – Scharnstein, Pettenbach, Vorchdorf and Grünau.
Because no concept has been implemented to date, the pressure is increasing. The communities fear that the cost of the shortage of ski area and the eventually necessary dismantling of the lifts could become a bottomless pit. Tenor: Better an ending with horror than horror without ending.
The concept for Kasberg is in the drawer
A finished concept for the Kasberg is already in the drawer – this was presented to the state in 2019 by Christian Silberleithner from Grünau and other entrepreneurs – and has passed the audit. This included barrier-free access and a special family programme.
The ten landowners who should agree to the year-round tourism strategy will be the deciding factor. At the moment there is radio silence between the municipality and at least five owners (see also the interview opposite). The responsible state council for economics, Markus Achleitner, is aware of the situation: “Many talks have already been held with the property owners, which, as far as we know, have not been successful so far.” He hopes for an agreement on the ground and assures the support of the state: “But it is clear that time is running out.”
Residents of Grünau hope for a quick solution
In Grünau itself, butcher Reinhold Stadler sticks to winter tourism. “It’s about more than skiing. Hundreds of jobs in the region depend on it,” he is convinced. Attila Bogdan, innkeeper at Forellenhof-Wieslmühle, outlines possible scenarios. Namely how things could go on without skiing: “We have a plan …B needed for the entire region.” He considers it conceivable that winter tourism on the Kasberg will die out and that there will only be summer tourists in the future.In an interview with the “Krone”, the head of the Jufa Hotel, Astrid Ryba, already speculates that it will be completely in winter Close.
Of course, there is no guarantee that summer alone can save tourism on the Kasberg. One thing is certain for winter sports enthusiast Johann Humer from Ungenach: “It’s the ski area near me and I always have the season ticket. When the Kasberg closes, I stop skiing.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
