Artificial snow expert
«Snowmaking is something like a guarantee of survival»
The snow is finally coming next week. Nevertheless, the forecast by the scientist Christoph Schuck for the Swiss ski areas is sobering. In future you will not be able to avoid artificial snow. Technical snowmaking is a guarantee of survival.
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The Swiss ski resorts did not have it easy this season.
The ski resorts didn’t have it easy this season. The mild temperatures have thwarted the Swiss ski resorts. Next week, however, things will be uphill: Thanks to the falling temperatures, it will snow in many places and numerous ski areas can finally start the season.
Nevertheless, the forecast by the scientist Christoph Schuck for the future of the Swiss ski areas is sobering. The Dortmunder has examined all 545 Swiss ski areas. His conclusion is sobering: “Either they will most likely have to stop their operations in the medium term, or they will make the investments for the artificial snow,” he told the “NZZ”.
Higher altitudes do not have a greater chance of survival
Regular, snowy winters are no longer to be expected, and the ski areas have to adapt to this. “The use of snow cannons is the most effective thing that ski areas can do.” According to the scientist, especially with regard to the winter season, research shows that technical snowmaking is something like a guarantee of survival.
His study showed that even snowier areas at higher altitudes did not have a better chance of survival than their counterparts lower down. «The size is crucial. So far, for example, only ski areas that operated fewer than seven facilities had to close,” said Schuck. “Another thing they have in common is that the closed ski areas still mainly used drag lifts. In addition, most of these areas were not integrated into a tariff network. »
A tourist reorientation cannot compensate for the value chain of a winter sports resort. “Many other businesses such as hotel accommodation, restaurants or companies that rent skis and snowboards are attached to a ski area,” says Schuck. (SDA/dzc)