Climate change forces closure of popular Bavarian ski resort Jenner-Schönau am Königssee
The Jenner-Schönau am Königssee ski resort, situated in the Berchtesgadener Land region of Bavaria, Germany, will sadly be closing permanently this year. Enthusiasts can still enjoy its snowy landscapes this season, but from next year onward, the resort's slopes will no longer be in service for skiing or snowboarding.
Another resort in the Alps shutters
Interestingly, just six years ago, a staggering amount of over 60 million euros was invested into building a new Jennerbahn cable car.
The surprisingly rapid decline in the popularity of the slopes of Jenner-Schönau is Königssee saw Thomas Mühlthaler, the chairman of Berchtesgadener Bergbahn AG, tasked with the arduous decision to close the resort.
Skiers started veering away from this once-favored resort for a simple reason. The resort's altitude isn't particularly high by Alpine standards, hence, the effects of climate change can clearly be felt there.
Due to the lack of natural snowfall for most of the season, the resort has to rely on snow cannons for snow production—an unsustainable and unprofitable practice in the long haul.
However, the closure of Jenner-Schönau am Königssee should not be confused with inactivity in the area during winter. As Thomas Mühlthaler affirms, the resort is still set to become a "mountain of winter sports," albeit excluding alpine skiing.
The resort plans to shift its focus towards cross-country skiing and sledding routes. Jenner-Schönau am Königssee aims to become a popular destination for families with children.
Operations at La Sambuy resort also ended last season
The closing of Jenner is not a solo event in the Alps. Last year, La Sambuy ski resort in the French Alps, near the Mont Blanc area, had to close due to insufficient snowfall.
La Sambuy was a quaint resort with three lifts, and a few ski runs that reached up to an elevation of 1850 meters (approximately 6,070 feet). With its wide variety of runs to accommodate beginners and advanced skiers and affordable passes, the resort was a magnet for families who appreciated its cozy and compact atmosphere.
Regrettably, the local authorities decided to remove the ski lifts following the decrease in the winter sports season to a few short weeks due to global warming. Keeping the infrastructure operational for this brief period was not profitable.
Source: Focus.de/WP Tourism
