Geneva
Spring-like temperatures instead of fresh snow: ski resorts in particular at lower altitudes must now create alternative offers for their guests. Goat trekking and a summer toboggan run are on the agenda again in Central Switzerland.
A lot of rain and temperatures around ten degrees: In many low-lying ski areas in Switzerland, winter sports are currently looking bad. At temperatures around ten degrees, the production of artificial snow is no longer possible. The regions are therefore becoming inventive.
“We have switched back to summer operations since Christmas Eve,” said an employee in the Sattel-Hochstuckli ski area in central Switzerland between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zurich. Employees who are otherwise responsible for making snow on the slopes are now making the 600-meter-long snow summer toboggan run, which operates when it’s not raining. It is at 1200 meters. “Everything is green upstairs,” said the employee.
Skiing only possible at higher altitudes
In the higher-lying ski resort Flumserberg in eastern Switzerland, only a good third of the 65 kilometers of pistes are open. The region offers yoga and Pilates at an altitude of more than 2000 meters and a bouncy castle in the ski area – all included with the lift day ticket for the equivalent of around 70 euros. The tourism managers offer families hikes accompanied by alpacas and goats.
In the higher-lying ski areas, more is possible on the slopes. in the Davos Klosters ski area with ski areas up to around 2800 meters above sea level, around three quarters of the facilities are in operation. But there is only 15 centimeters of snow in the valley. According to self-promotion, the highest ski area in Europe Zermatt with a view of the Matterhorn there are lifts to more than 3000 meters. Around 100 of the more than 200 kilometers of ski slopes are open, half of the facilities are in operation. In the village itself there is only ten centimeters of snow.
