The 2G-plus rule for the Zugspitze makes conditions difficult on the Bavarian side.
Skiing is “not feasible in the long term,” says BZB chairman Matthias Strauch.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Last Friday, November 19, 2021, skiing began on the Zugspitze - at least for those who had been vaccinated and those who had recovered.
The stricter 2G-plus regulation has been in effect there since yesterday.
Lift operators fear that this will drive skiers to Austria.
2G plus for skiing: Bavarian Zugspitzbahn upset - "not feasible in the long term"
"The 2G-plus rule is a massive threat to ski operations, it cannot be implemented in the long term," complains Matthias Stauch.
The chairman of the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG (BZB) criticizes the restrictions imposed by the Ordinance on Infection Protection Measures.
That was "like a lockdown through the back door".
"The vaccination incentive to be allowed to ski with 2G is nullified by 2G plus."
Matthias Stauch, chairman of the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn
In Austria, despite the corona lockdown in the mountains, the looser 2G regulation applies, skiing is allowed.
The lift operators in German ski areas see themselves clearly at a disadvantage.
"In the long term, the 2G-plus control cannot be implemented organisationally or economically," criticizes Stauch.
With regard to 2G, the BZB is currently working on digital solutions to avoid having to manually check every guest.
The new rule nullifies all of these approaches.
In addition, he sees another disadvantage: "The vaccination incentive to be allowed to ski with 2G is nullified by 2G plus."
2G-plus on the Zugspitze: Bayerische Zugspitzbahn tried to reach guests quickly
It was late on Tuesday evening when the Bavarian state government announced the new regulations.
"Of course we tried to reach as many guests as possible via all channels - website, newsletter, social media, email and telephone", says Verena Altenhofen.
In fact, yesterday morning there were hundreds of guests without a quick test certificate in ski gear at the valley station who had to be turned away.
"Frustrating for everyone involved," regrets the BZB spokeswoman.
The BZB observed with concern that long queues formed at all test centers and pharmacies in town.
Some guests did not get test appointments.
"Of course we are currently doing everything we can to keep the ski running, but the 2G-plus regulation is pushing us to the limits of what is possible."
2G-Plus at Bayerischer Zugspitzbahn: "Frustrating for everyone involved"
Altenhofen appeals to the guests: their understandable frustration and anger about the 2G-plus regulation affects the BZB employees who are in direct contact with guests - and who cannot help it.
"We would therefore like to emphasize that we give everything - and that we have no choice but to implement the regulations."
Many athletes had to forego skiing or snowboarding altogether in the past winter season.
The industry suffered heavily from this drop in sales.
The ski lockdown had completely screwed up the business of the domestic lift operators - now they are faced with another huge hurdle due to the 2G-plus regulation.
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