Garmisch-Partenkirchen is gearing up for the expected rush of excursions during the extended Christmas holidays: so that the situation does not get out of hand, the two large parking lots at Hausberg and Kreuzeck are managed - despite the ski lockdown.
However, users have to shell out fees and buy day tickets.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen fears a rush of winter sports enthusiasts.
The two parking spaces at the mountain railways are now managed despite ski lockdowns.
Users, including locals, have to buy tickets.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Last weekend there was a foretaste of the difficulties that the tourist resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen will face in Corona times.
Because with the first snow, winter sports enthusiasts and those looking for relaxation poured into Werdenfelser Land - even though the ski areas were put on a forced break.
Photos of tourers who pulled up the slopes in the ant march quickly made the rounds on Facebook.
Lifts and mountain railways stand still
The dilemma: In the ski lockdown, the lifts and mountain railways of the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (BZB) are idle - and with them parking spaces and toilets have been put into hibernation.
But that doesn't prevent day trippers from going into the mountains.
Everyone can imagine what chaos is threatening after fresh snow on uncleared parking spaces.
There is also a hygiene problem: some visitors recently took care of their needs in the forest or behind barns - much to the annoyance of the locals.
There is therefore unanimous agreement in the village: a quick solution must be found.
SURVEY ON TOPIC:
Mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU), the BZB and GaPa Tourismus have now found them: From December 18 (the Christmas holidays start the next day) the parking spaces on Hausberg and Kreuzeck will be regularly cleared and spread - and made available to everyone who want to move in the great outdoors and in the fresh air ”, as it says in a press release.
Even with heavy snowfall, the two areas remain “easily and safely accessible to guests”.
The toilets at the Hausbergbahn and Alpspitzbahn valley stations are also open.
Day ticket costs 15 euros
Free parking will then come to an end.
From the start date of the promotion, parking fees apply daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
15 euros are then collected per day and vehicle.
A special rate of five euros per day applies to everyone who has an annual or season ticket (2019/2020 and 2020/2021).
The idea of charging money for parking is not new.
Corresponding considerations have existed for a long time in the course of the debate about the winter sports campaign.
"We are happy about every visitor.
I can understand when they come into our beautiful nature, ”emphasizes town hall chief Koch, who is also the chairman of the BZB's supervisory board.
Especially in the current situation it is "completely understandable that you want to leave your city apartment without a balcony at least on the weekend".
However, an “appropriate parking space situation” in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is necessary for this.
This infrastructure is now offered.
Michael Gerber, Managing Director of GaPa Tourismus, supports the initiative: “In the summer we had to experience the randomness that can arise when a lot of people come at the same time.
That is why we consider parking space management to be essential, ”he explains - and hopes for another positive side effect.
This might encourage one or the other visitor to use public transport.
Gerber: "This would not only provide a sustainable service to the equalization of traffic, but also to nature."
BZB board member Matthias Stauch emphasizes how important it is to be active when it comes to toilets: "We wanted to create opportunities immediately so that people do not have to relieve themselves from the locals in the barns or behind adjacent buildings."
