After the decision to close the two upper ski lifts in the Swiss ski resort of Sattel-Hochstuckli, unrest has arisen. Many local residents disagree with the decision and want it to be reversed. According to one of the residents, there is even a threat of permanent closure without the ski facilities, so action is being taken. Is there still hope for winter sports enthusiasts in the ski area? Climate change is causing a major strategic change in the Sattel-Hochstuckli ski area for the upcoming ski season. Due to the lack of snow, it has been decided to remove the upper two ski lifts in the ski area and focus entirely on beginners and families. The two lifts, Bärenfang and Hochstuckli, at the top of the Sattel-Hochstuckli ski area in Switzerland, are retiring. Starting from the coming winter, only a drag lift and the gondola that takes you from Sattel (800 meters) to Mostelberg (1200 meters) will be in operation. Sattel-Hochstuckli will reposition itself as “the snow mountain for everyone,” with a particular emphasis on attracting families. They also want to promote winter activities without snow. This new repositioning was presented last month. Now, long-standing traditions must be abandoned, which is weighing heavily on the residents and causing a lot of unrest. The entire community wants the decision to be reversed. “If we only have one practice lift, no one will buy a season ski pass anymore!” says Ruedi Marty in Pilatustoday. Bankruptcy looming? According to Ruedi, the ski area is losing millions with the closure of these two ski lifts at the top of the mountain. He believes that Sattel-Hochstockli will soon have to permanently close without proper facilities for winter sports enthusiasts. As for the lack of snow, he believes there is a solution, as there are enough snow cannons between 800 and 1600 meters in the ski area. “At the beginning of winter, we just need to flip the switch.” Last Thursday, resistance formed in the region. Around 50 people have joined together in an interest group. On August 2nd, there will be a general assembly in the ski area, where the group intends to bring up the issue again with the Board of Directors. Perhaps the survival of skiing activities in Sattel-Hochstuckli can still be saved? However, hope is limited; skiing was impossible in the ski area last winter due to the lack of snow. There simply was no snow in the region, and it was even too warm to use snow cannons…
