Uncertain ski season on the Zugspitze: Many question marks due to the energy crisis

Created: 09/22/2022, 18:16

By: Catherine Bromberger

Skiers experienced a dream day on December 16, 2021 above the clouds at the Hexenkessel lift at the start of the season in the Garmisch-Classic area.

Whether so many slopes will be covered with snow this winter is yet to be decided.

© Annette Reuther

The prices for the ski passes are fixed.

You have risen.

That's it for security.

Otherwise, about three months before the start of the ski season in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, there is one thing in particular: question marks.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – How is the ski season looking in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this winter?

Are the slopes snowed?

If so, to which extent?

How are energy prices going?

How does the tourist resort align itself on a small scale?

Do big politicians make guidelines?

Many questions – and few answers.

The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn faces an uncertain winter.

Even more uncertain than every year anyway.

Ski season in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: the energy crisis makes planning difficult

November after November, December after December, the employees and managers hope that the temperatures will drop, that they can start the cannons and lances, that they will conjure up the artificial snow on the meadows, which will ensure the start of the season by Christmas at the latest and also skiable slopes until March allows.

This year, it's not just down to the temperatures.

The energy crisis makes planning difficult.

In view of the exploding costs, can one even afford to make snow all over the country – after all, the 300,000 cubic meters of artificial snow cost 1.35 million euros two years ago?

Can you take responsibility for it?

Will politics allow it?

Even more questions to which no one knows or gives an answer.

"It has not yet been decided to what extent snow will be made next winter," says BZB spokeswoman Verena Tanzer.

Certainly not an easy decision.

Garmisch Classic ski area: Winter season 2022 – “Wait for political guidelines and decide based on the situation”

The path of the BZB has consequences for the tourist resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, for all hoteliers, restaurateurs and ski schools.

If, for example, you offer significantly less snow-covered runs from the start in winter and instead rely on the experience in natural snow - if available - the communication and advertising will probably have to be adapted at short notice.

With the risk that the vacationer prefers safe skiing fun without compromises to the more environmentally friendly and switches to Austria, South Tyrol or Switzerland.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular GAP newsletter.

Scenarios that the mountain railway company is currently not commenting on, but which it should think about together with all other parties involved.

However, there is no sign of time pressure with BZB board member Matthias Stauch.

He remains vague and deliberately relaxed in his statement.

“We are waiting for any political guidelines and will make a decision based on the situation.

As every year, snow-making in the Garmisch-Classic will only be specifically planned when the temperatures allow it.”

Ski season on the Zugspitze: Classic area should open at the beginning of the Christmas holidays at the latest

A press release by the Association of German Cable Cars in mid-August stated that all areas of the company where energy could be saved were being examined.

These include a reduction in driving speed, switching off the seat heating and restrictions on lighting and interior temperatures.

Limited snowmaking was not mentioned.

It can probably be ruled out anyway that a ski area voluntarily does without it.

Officially, the cannons are allowed to produce snow from November 15th - which has often not been fully exploited in recent winters in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The big goal remains year after year, to open the Classic area at the latest at the beginning of the Christmas holidays.

In 2021, the BZB switched on the lifts on December 16th after around a year and a half of the Corona compulsory break.

She is currently planning the start of the season at the end of December – in whatever form.

Garmisch Classic ski area: Prices for ski passes have risen – "Absolutely okay"

Despite all the uncertainty - nobody is talking about possible corona conditions anymore: the Zugspitzbahn is recruiting employees.

Whether in the catering area or for the lifts: "Personnel is currently being sought and hired, completely independent of the question of snowmaking," emphasizes Tanzer.

She couldn't give any information on the number yet.

In a normal winter, the BZB employs an estimated 80 seasonal workers in addition to the approximately 350 permanent employees who stay on all year round.

The company has made one point: it fixed the ticket prices for this winter in the spring and does not want to raise them despite the energy crisis.

The prices have risen compared to the previous year anyway – as everywhere.

With an increase of ten percent compared to other areas, Tanzer emphasizes that it is "absolutely within limits".

If an adult paid 50 euros for a day ticket in the Garmisch-Classic 2021/22 area, it is now 55, a young person no longer pays 40, but 44 euros.

On the Zugspitze, a day's skiing for an adult costs 57 instead of 52 euros, for young people 45.50 instead of 41.50 euros.

Incidentally, everything is running as usual on the Zugspitze.

Snow has never been made there and it won't be in the future either.

The BZB is planning the start of the season for the beginning of December, of course only "if the amount of natural snow is sufficient," says Tanzer.

Normal uncertainties that come with winter.

You can find more current news from the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at Merkur.de/Garmisch-Partenkirchen.