According to BILD newspaper report: Whirlwind about alleged ski chaos in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Created: 01/10/2022, 05:42 PM

From: Alexander Kraus

High traffic: There was a great rush in the Garmisch-Partenkirchner ski areas during the Christmas holidays - such as here at the Drehmöser Hut.

© BZB

In its online presence, the Bild-Zeitung gives the impression of chaotic conditions in the ski areas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The Bavarian Zugspitzbahn defends itself against this.

However, identity checks and the lower capacity of the gondola caused long waiting times.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen - With the sensational headline “Vacationers storm the ski area in Bavaria” and the addition “Irresponsible or understandable?”, Bild.de reported on Sunday about the overcrowded valley station at the Hausbergbahn in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There was talk of long waiting times at the stations, non-compliance with corona regulations such as mask requirements and distance. Further allegations: More skiers than allowed were carried in the gondolas. There was even a police operation. And it was checked laxly, it says in the online presence of the tabloid.

Verena Altenhofen takes a different opinion.

“There was no mass rush.

It goes without saying that during the Christmas holidays, as the time of the year with the most visitors, there are waiting times at the ticket offices and railways.

That was already normal before Corona, "says the press spokeswoman for the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (BZB).

The number of visitors in both ski areas - Garmisch-Classic and Zugspitze - was below the normal level before the pandemic.

The cable car has hired additional staff for the checks in the high season, as it cannot handle the many checkpoints that are spread across the entire ski area with its own staff.

"But we also have to appeal to the personal responsibility and solidarity of each individual."

Long queues are a logical consequence of the security measures for the benefit of the guests

According to the spokeswoman, long queues are the logical consequence of the security measures for the benefit of the guests. "In the ski area itself, the process is normalized, as the chair lifts and T-bar lifts can be used normally under strict compliance with the FFP2 mask requirement," emphasizes Altenhofen. The mask requirement applies in all buildings, in waiting and queuing areas, also outdoors, in the cabins as well as in chair lifts and T-bar lifts and wherever a minimum distance cannot be maintained. Bild.de, on the other hand, reported grievances: "Dozens did not wear masks and romped around in front of the ski lifts," it said. The BZB spokeswoman, however, emphasized: “99 percent of the guests adhere to all measures such as the FFP2 mask requirement in an exemplary manner.” Altenhofen refers to the positive feedback."We also receive praise for the consistent control and implementation of the measures," she explains.

The strict entry regulations in neighboring Austria are to blame for the great popularity of the local ski regions.

Those arriving there must be boosted or have a valid, negative PCR test.

"Of course we also feel that the 2G-Plus regulation in neighboring Tyrolean ski areas means that German guests tend to stay in Bavarian areas," says Altenhofen, who also dares to look ahead to the coming weekends of this season.

Much won't change until the carnival holidays.

“We have to implement the requirements, we have no leeway,” she emphasizes.

There will continue to be delays and waiting times, after all, the BZB will have to comply with the 2G controls and the reduced capacity of the railways.