As of: March 2, 2024, 6:59 p.m
By: Christof Schnürer
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Spring sadness: There used to be a lot of snow on the Kranzberg slopes at the beginning of March.
But now Benedikt Wurmer, the lift operator's son, only looks at green and brown areas.
© Peter Kornatz
The lift operators on Mittenwald's Sonnenberg have felt the consequences of climate change with full force.
What's next up there?
A question that is not being asked for the first time in the tourist resort.
Now a symposium should shed light on this.
Mittenwald
– hiking oasis, mountain sports El Dorado, alpine pasture area, workplace, economic existence – the Kranzberg fulfills many tasks.
But first and foremost it is one thing for the people of Mittenwald: a sanctuary, a place of longing.
A mayor who wanted to build a modern four-seater chairlift up there may have felt the consequences in a local election.
No experiments on the Kranzberg – that has always been the slogan.
But is it still sustainable?
Symposium at the Hotel Post: “The Kranzberg in times of climate change – what to do?”
This question will be discussed next Thursday at a symposium initiated by the SPD local association in the Hotel Post.
“The Kranzberg in times of climate change – what to do?” is the title.
“I don’t think that’s wrong,” was Mayor Enrico Corongiu’s (SPD) verdict on this forum.
We don't want to make it Disneyland.
Ski lift operator Klaus Wurmer
“Let’s see who’s involved,” says Klaus Wurmer rather cautiously.
The long-time operator of the Luttensee and Wildensee lifts experienced a horror winter with disastrous sales figures on the Kranzberg.
For him and his family, who have created a family ski paradise up there for over 50 years, it's more than ever about bare existence.
The future use of Mittenwald's natural jewel - possibly also in summer - is the ultimate question for Wurmer. But changes, such as a flow trail for mountain bikers, must be in harmony with the environment.
“We don’t want to make it a Disneyland.”
What use when there is a lack of snow – and what options are there in summer?
Which would not be in the spirit of the initiators of the symposium.
“For us, nature conservation plays an important role,” affirms SPD local councilor Ursula Seydel.
Nevertheless, she also sees the challenges of climate change.
“Against this background, it is obvious to consider concepts of winter use when there is a lack of snow and summer use,” writes the architect in the invitation.
“Here, expansion plans that promise economic success are opposed to the desire to give priority to the preservation of the cultural landscape and nature conservation concerns.” The symposium should serve “so that all interested parties can present their respective points of view.”
The later goal is a usage concept for the Kranzberg, because the future has long since begun there.
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