In the middle of the heat wave: Styrian ski areas are already sweating before the coming winter season. The energy crisis is driving ticket prices up.
Those responsible in the Styrian ski areas are working up a sweat at the moment. The reason for this is not so much the recent heat wave, but rather the thoughts of the upcoming winter. “It’s a really difficult situation for all of us and that’s why we’re looking towards winter with extremely mixed feelings. Our energy costs have almost tripled,” admits Präbichl boss Johann Roth frankly. Modest savings potential He lacks the imagination for large savings measures in the energy sector, “at least to the extent that it would make sense”. On the other hand, the ski resorts cannot absorb the cost explosion in its entirety and will have to pass part of it on to their guests. “Of course we will have to increase the ticket prices, and to an extent that we have never done in recent years,” says Roth.Price increases of up to 10 percent are expected. So will the people of Styria still be able to afford Austria’s national sport this winter? A question that of course also concerns the cable car operators. Experts expect a price increase of up to ten percent. “Pricing will be a tightrope walk, which is economically necessary and what is also reasonable for the market,” explains Karl Fussi, Managing Director at Kreischberg and in Lachtal. Because of the uncertain situation, most ski areas will therefore only announce their prices in September. Less snowmaking, narrower slopes? “It will also be more expensive for us – but we will definitely stay under 70 euros for the day ticket,” promises Planai boss Georg Bliem. He has set up an energy task force, which has now drawn up a 43-point list of savings potential. This includes a reduction in the width of the slopes, a reduction in snowmaking or a late start to the season. “We are also considering starting cable car operations at 8.45 a.m. instead of 8.15 a.m. – we will now discuss all of these points. We know that we have a responsibility and that we have to do something.” The electricity costs for the Planaibahn alone have already amounted to three million euros per year and will of course increase significantly now.
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