Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

CLIMATE CRISIS

Austria’s famous Dachstein glacier to be closed off for skiing this winter

Heat, rain and even Sahara sand have affected the ice in the famous Austrian Dachstein glacier, forcing authorities to close off the ski lifts this winter.

Published: 14 September 2022 14:31 CEST

Austria's famous Dachstein glacier to be closed off for skiing this winter

A cross country skier walks through the snowy landscape near the village of Ramsau at the Dachstein mountains in Austria. Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

Austrian authorities have decided to cancel winter skiing in the Dachstein glacier, located on the highest mountain in Styria, Austrian media reported.

“There will be no autumn or winter skiing on the Dachstein this year,” Georg Bliem, the director of Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen told Kleine Zeitung on Wednesday.

For years now, the glacier has been steadily melting in summer. The year 2022 has been no exception, as heat and extreme rain (and even Sahara sand) have hurt the ice structures, causing the region to become dangerous for non-experienced hikers.

READ ALSO: From inflation to Covid: What to expect from Austria’s winter season

The melting ice has been particularly affecting the structures for lift operations. To operate safely, the supports of the lifts would have to be moved.

“That’s a huge effort, and we have no guarantee that it won’t need to be done again next year,” Bliem said.

On the slopes, the rock is coming through in some places and even the lift line now runs over rock, he added.

For this reason, the decision to forgo winter skiing, at least this year, has been made. But further checks will take place next year.

READ ALSO: How will climate change impact Austria?

“In the spring we will evaluate the situation,” Bliem said.

The peak season on the Dachstein glacier is autumn when snow cannons cannot yet be fired up at lower altitudes. In Styria, the Dachstein was the only ski destination to offer skiing as early as September and October. Many professional athletes in particular had used the slopes for training runs.

Other attractions will remain open

The area has many other attractions that will remain open, the authorities highlighted. The ice palace, the famous stairs leading up to the panoramic viewpoint, and the hilltop restaurant, for example.

The area for cross-country ski trains will be larger, and ski touring crossings will continue to be possible. The park is also looking to develop a new concept for future winters, offering more hiking trails.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Austria climate activist aims to take fight to Brussels

The 23-year-old hopes to be elected to the European Parliament in June as one of the first wave of young activists breaking through into the political mainstream.

Schilling said she wanted to “go where the laws are made” to try to keep the fight against climate change on the agenda as the backlash against the steps needed to save the planet grows.

“The climate crisis won’t go away, even if you stop looking,” Schilling told AFP in the Lobau national park on the outskirts of Vienna, which she campaigned to save, camping out in tents for more than a year there.

After Austria’s longest such blockade, the road project has been put on hold. Now another victory awaits Schilling.

As the top candidate of Austria’s Greens, Schilling is all but assured a parliamentary seat despite an expected upsurge in conservative votes.

‘Fight for what is right’

In Brussels, she wants to ensure the EU’s Green Deal — the ambitious plan to make the European Union carbon-neutral by 2050 — isn’t watered down.

She also wants to push for more solar panels and wind turbines, and cheaper train fares between European capitals to encourage more railway travel.

A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in March warned of “catastrophic” consequences if Europe failed to take urgent action to adapt to risks posed by climate change.

“We are living through a mass extinction event… And that doesn’t affect everyone the same. People with less income are hit much harder,” Schilling said.

“We have to solve the problems that we have in our society from the root,” she added.

Schilling — who wrote a book called “Radical Change” — grew up in Vienna in a family where political discussions were normal, with her mother a social worker and father a bank worker.

“Even as a child, I couldn’t stand injustice at all,” said the political science student and former dance teacher.

“My mom always said: ‘Lena, you have to fight for what is right. You have to stand up when something isn’t okay.'”

Despite being no stranger to street protests, Schilling distances herself from more recent climate actions, where activists glued themselves to roads, saying it alienates commuters on their way to work.

Lena Schilling, environmental activist and top candidate of Austria’s Green Alternative Party in the upcoming European Union (EU) parliamentary elections, poses for a photo at the Viennese section of the Donau-Auen National Park in Vienna, Austria on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)

Won’t be intimidated

In the election race in Austria, Schilling faces political veterans, all men and more than twice her age, with critics pointing out her political inexperience.

But Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler of the Greens — who govern Austria as junior partners in a coalition with conservatives — described Schilling as a “committed fighter”.

Political analyst Thomas Hofer said Schilling is a “different candidate”.

“She knows how to communicate, how to circumvent critical questions,” Hofer told AFP.

Schilling said she is determined not to be intimidated, even in the face of hate speech, especially online.

“The attempts to discredit you all the time because you are a woman are extremely stressful, and at the same time it makes me a bit angry and this anger gives me strength,” she said.

She said she found strength in the fact that although she will be only one MEP among 705 if elected, “I am one of many who are protesting”.

“We all have the opportunity to change the world a little bit,” she said.

Url copied to clipboard!