The mountain summer is coming to an end, the focus is on the ski season.
In the Alpen-Plus areas, it is hoped that operations can run unhindered despite Corona.
There is a repayment promise for buyers of the season ticket.
The Alpen-Plus ski areas are preparing for the winter sports season
Mask required when queuing and in the lifts
There is a repayment promise for season ticket buyers
Rottach-Egern
- Peter Lorenz's mind has long since arrived in the winter sports season.
As managing director of Wallberg and Brauneckbahn and Alpenbahnen Spitzingsee GmbH, he is significantly involved in the preparations for the coming ski season in the Miesbach district.
The fact that the lift's hygiene concept worked smoothly last summer and was well received by guests also makes him confident for the winter sports season.
“We haven't had any negative experiences,” reports Lorenz.
Read here: More air in the gondolas: Cable cars ready for Corona operation
That's a good thing, because according to the current status, the current distance and hygiene rules should also remain valid in winter.
That means: In the cabins and lifts as well as when queuing, skiers and snowboarders will have to wear their mouth and nose protection.
There is currently no capacity restriction in the transport of passengers, says Antonia Asenstorfer, spokeswoman for the four Alpen-Plus areas Spitzingsee-Tegernsee, Sudelfeld (Bayrischzell), Wallberg (Rottach-Egern) and Brauneck (Lenggries).
“That can change every day,” added the spokeswoman.
If the infection rate continues to rise, new requirements could be imposed on the railway operators.
There is a repayment promise for season ticket buyers
A complete lockdown, as experienced by the ski resorts last March, when they had to end the season prematurely due to the corona pandemic, cannot be ruled out.
So that the holders of season ski passes are not the big losers, the Alpen-Plus partners are making a so-called repayment promise this year.
"We have divided the season into four months - December, January, February, March -" explains Asenstorfer.
If it is not possible to ski in any of the associated areas for a full month, the season ticket holders receive the corresponding portion of the purchase price - i.e. 25 percent per month - back.
“We owe that to our good customers,” says Lorenz.
Incidentally, the season ski passes are now available for pre-sale and prices have remained stable compared to the previous year.
Bergbahn boss is hoping for a similar season as in previous years
It is difficult for Lorenz to estimate how the number of visitors to the domestic ski areas will develop in the face of the pandemic.
“I hope that the rush will remain about the same,” he says, looking back at the past winters.
Those who are too afraid to go skiing this year might be compensated by those who do not go to Austria, says Lorenz.
The good visit of the mountain railways in the summer season made him optimistic in any case.
Also interesting: Tourism on Schliersee and Tegernsee: Corona lockdown costs 80 million euros
In general, Lorenz is convinced that the risk of infection in the domestic ski areas is rather low.
"People move in the great outdoors and in the fresh air," explains the managing director.
In addition, they are well protected against infection simply because of their equipment - thick ski gear, helmet, glasses and gloves.
In addition, après-ski parties with overcrowded umbrella bars in the Bavarian ski areas are not the issue.
Less space when stopping in the huts
But the cozy stop in one of the huts.
Asenstorfer admits that it could be more difficult this year with the available space due to the corona requirements.
Especially in bad weather, when winter sports enthusiasts push inside.
The press spokeswoman therefore has a recommendation ready: Those who are able to do leisure time should go skiing during the week to avoid the biggest crowds.
Egid Stadler, Managing Director of Sudelfeld-Bahnen in Bayrischzell, is also hoping for a good and stable season.
Stadler admits that because it is not yet clear what is in store for the rail operators, he has a “somewhat queasy feeling” about the upcoming season.
He would like to see concrete guidelines from the government soon.
As far as the visitor response is concerned, Stadler also believes in a successful season: This time the request for season tickets is greater than usual.
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