For Sale: Snowless Ski Slope, $1 or Better Offer
by Stacy Feldman - Jan 22nd, 2008
A British entrepreneur ponies up the pocket change. Bargain of the century or snow job? From the NYT:
After paying the token sum of one Swiss franc, or about 90 cents — he is the proud owner of four ski lifts, two trail groomers and a restaurant on 12 miles of ski slopes.
And yet:
Effectively giving the ski operation away was an act of desperation on the part of Ernen, which, like hundreds of other small Alpine ski stations at medium altitudes, faces dire times. Most customers these days prefer the larger resorts with hundreds of miles of ski runs, après-ski activities and luxury shopping. As global warming brings less snow, lower-altitude stations rely more on costly snow machines.
These are tough times for snow-deprived ski slopes, like Ernen. Reuters reports the shocking trend:
The Alpine snowline may retreat by 350 meters by 2050, according to a March report by Mueller's Institute for Leisure and Tourism, leaving a fifth of Swiss resorts without reliable snow. Their number could rise to more than half by the end of the century.
All over the Alps, ski slope owners are feeling the warming winters. And those not willing to hand over their mountains for less than a buck are transforming their slopes into new kinds of tourist treats -- the ones that can thrive in a heating atmosphere. Luxury resorts. Five-star hotels. And golf. Lots of golf.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
We have seen the same trends
We have seen the same trends here in Canada at Whistler, but not as bad as at Bluemountain for example in Ontario had to lay off half off their employee during the normally busiest season.
Post new comment