Sweaty heat records in the valley, plus degrees at night at 3250 meters above sea level: a “Krone” local inspection on the Hintertux Glacier in Tyrol, where skiing is still taking place.
The young Dutchman shows humor during the gondola descent: “It’s water skiing from 1 pm”, the aspiring ski instructor laughs at the streams that flow over the glacier slopes in the afternoon. But the most important thing is that the candidate exam works. And the young trainer from Salzburg is happy that he was able to transfer to the Hintertux Glacier. At home on the Kitzsteinhorn, skiing has long since stopped.
It’s July 22 and the hot summer is a real test of the eternal ice. Gray instead of white dominates the panorama, 40 of the 400 hectares of ice are protected from the merciless sun by covers. “Yes, this year the snow was four to five weeks earlier than usual,” nods Andreas Dengg of the cable car family of the same name.
From wind to Sahara dust
He points to a measuring point: “Normally there is 9.5 to 11 meters of snow here in the spring, this time it was only seven.” Frequent winds have blown away the white splendor, Dengg says. And then there was the Sahara dust – dark snow surfaces are more affected by the sun.
“That’s why the slope preparation is even an advantage for the glacier, because the top layer becomes whiter again,” emphasizes Dengg. Of the 21 systems, seven are currently in operation – no more and no less than in other summers.
Training and education, only a few private with skis
The customers? “Usually ski training or ski instructor training, about 500 people a day. Private skiers are the exception.” Most come in hiking gear – to see the eternal ice around Olperer (3476 meters) and Gefrorene-Wand-Spitze (3288) or to explore Spannagel Cave. Most recently, 54 countries were counted among the visitors – including Iranians and Kenyans.
Recently, a video has caused a stir on social networks – featuring skiers on gray ice, in the middle of torrents. The scenes are not from this year, but could also be filmed at this time. Malicious comments were inevitable. Summer skiing in times of daily headlines about climate change seems strange to many.
Does the criticism hurt? “We don’t have a plan B”
Does such criticism from the outside hurt? “These people lack the background knowledge,” says the young entrepreneur thoughtfully. “Because there is no plan B in our valley except tourism.” Commuting to the middle of Tyrol is not reasonable and nobody can make a living here from agriculture. So the business model is out of the question.
A lot of effort is put into the glacier – right up to the biannual relocation of the lift supports. They move on the flowing ice. Is the end of summer skiing imminent this year – like on the Stelvio Pass (South Tyrol)? Dengg shrugs: “You should become a weather forecaster.”
It is almost certain that the gray desolation will come to an end. In September, according to experience, there will be an Adriatic low at some point. Three quarters of a meter of snow in one fell swoop is not uncommon. Then it is nine months of winter.
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.
