That was it with the ski season in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The Zugspitzbahn is now hoping for openings for hikers and day tourists.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- out, over.
"It is tampered with," says Matthias Stauch in the best Bavarian.
The renewed extension of the lockdown prompted the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn AG to take a drastic step: the board of directors finally canceled the ski season in the Classic area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen yesterday at noon.
In plain language: This winter there will be no more lifts between Hausberg and Osterfelderkopf, and no skier will ski on a groomed slope.
If there is an opening after the corona lockdown, you want to unlock it immediately
"That hurts brutally, especially in a winter like this when we actually had ideal conditions from November 15th," admits Stauch.
There is one last hope for the Zugspitze.
Should the government give the go-ahead for an opening, the company will unlock immediately.
"Whether with or without skiing." On Germany's highest mountain in the cold season, this is sometimes no longer so crucial: "In winter over Christmas, 70 percent of the pedestrians are usually up there."
The Zugspitzbahn can basically look back on a very successful decade.
“We did a very good job.” Debts were reduced.
The company was consistently in the black and made profits.
“We have good equity and were able to build up nice reserves.” In order to be able to further refine the quality, to invest in the infrastructure.
A new Kreuzwankl lift, for example, or a new building at the depot in Grainau are projects that are at the top of the wish list.
But: this winter, the BZB put a damper on it.
"Now there is only the compulsory program," says Stauch clearly.
In order to absorb the losses, the reserves must be tackled.
"That hurts." But there is no getting around it.
"This winter will not be without consequences."
At the Zugspitzbahn, one fears a third corona wave
Stauch is currently unable to estimate how high the deficit will be.
“That would all just be water level reports,” he says.
He does not want to give them out.
“Everything depends on the starting time.” The later the summer business starts in 2021, the worse.
And one thing must not happen under any circumstances: a third corona wave with further failures.
It is not 2020 that will weigh on the BZB.
In the end, the extremely strong summer even brought the Zugspitzbahn into the plus area financially.
"I still remember how we sat in our old booth on March 15th - like a pile of misery." Until the end of May.
Then the summer season began - slightly delayed.
“Full throttle, from day one.” The rescue.
Hope now rests on the summer too.
He has to compensate for winter 2020/21.
Because state financial injections are only available to a small extent for the Zugspitzbahn.
November and December aid are requested.
"Bridging Aids II and III are not intended for companies in municipal hands," notes Stauch.
One such is the BZB, however, as an enterprise of the municipal works.
What annoys Stauch: Even today, only the down payment of 50,000 euros has flowed from the November aid.
He's waiting for the rest.
It should be between 800,000 and two million euros.
"Nobody has been able to tell us that." Stauch's judgment: "Better than nothing, but ultimately just a drop in the ocean."
Corona situation at the Zugspitzbahn: 70 percent of the workforce is on short-time work
The board of directors only praises the local employment agency.
“There they tear their asses for us.” The short-time working wages are paid regularly - and on time.
Not unimportant.
Because 70 percent of the workforce is on short-time work.
And there are quite a few fates that hang on the Zugspitzbahn.
“In winter we have up to 500 employees, in summer 385 to 400,” explains Stauch.
There is still enough work to do in the corona lockdown.
In short-time work, it is even more difficult.
Now that skiing has been canceled, it is now time to prepare for a possible spring opening.
The Kreuzeckbahn needs a new gearbox, material and caterpillars have to be stowed away.
And on the Wank, the train should run as fast as possible.
Stauch: “Up there we could still offer people winter flair.
And we could unlock immediately.
The employees are hot. "
You can always find further news from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region on our department page.
