The end of skiing in a popular resort. Stormy discussion and protests
The management of ski lifts in Braunwald, Switzerland, announced their permanent closure. The reason is said to be lack of snow and unprofitability.
The picturesque Swiss resort of Braunwald lies in the southernmost part of the Glarus region of the Glarne Alps, on a gently sloping, south-eastern, sunny terrace high above the Linth Valley.
Branuwald closes ski lifts
The coming winter will be different here from the previous ones. The management of four ski lifts (Mattwald, Gumen, Seblengrat and Bächital) informed that their operation is no longer profitable.
The local portal srf.ch reports that even a four-hour heated discussion at the general meeting did not result in a change in this final decision. The ski lift management company’s board of directors, representing 52 shareholder votes, won on almost all voting points. She also rejected a request to launch a special investigation into her actions.
Unprofitable activity
According to the management, the lack of snow discourages tourists from coming. Opponents argued that the source of the problems was the “massive increase in personnel and operational costs.” According to the annual report, the deficit last season amounted to 1.6 million Swiss francs. Bankruptcy was avoided only thanks to an additional loan.
In an open letter, which has so far been signed online by about 6,000 people, people appealed not to make a hasty decision to take ski lifts out of service. Local entrepreneurs, residents and owners of accommodation facilities are protesting.
Different winter tourism
Sportbahnen Braunwald does not intend to completely abandon winter tourism in Braunwald. Next, there will be a gondola lift to Grotzenbüel – the starting point for ski tours, snowshoe hikes and sledding.
Car traffic is prohibited in Braunwald. Tourists go there for hikes to Lake Oberblegisee, which offers views of the Tödi and Ortstock mountains. Within an hour you can reach Lake Walensee at the foot of the Churfirsten mountain range.
This is not the first time that snowless winters have led to similar decisions. Last year, ski lifts were dismantled in Céüze, France.
