Skiing is becoming a luxury good

It will be fresh. That's already clear. After all, winter is soon around the corner. That's why there's a lot of activity in the car workshops at the moment. The winter tires have to be on the rims. When exactly and if at all did Europe regulate this like many other things. Every country does what it wants and of course the question arises as to whether you can drive with winter tires in Germany if you come from Italy or Austria. Better with than without. That's what the ski tourist will think about when he climbs onto the chairlift on his winter vacation, which of course has to happen despite the energy crisis, inflation and general uncertainty.

The seat doesn't respond like it did last year. At that time it was still heated, which created a pleasant feeling during the ascent or the ascent to the summit. The lift owners in probably the entire Alpine region have already delicately indicated that these power guzzlers will no longer be activated. This is of course fatal for two reasons. On the one hand, a warm bottom was nice in the cold winter wind and now there's the fact that the brisk ride up takes even longer than usual. It is possible that the ski tourist arrives at the top half-frozen and has to fill his veins with mulled wine before the first swing can be triggered. The speed of the lifts should also be reduced, which is also part of possible savings measures. The slower you drive, the less energy is needed to power the engines. The most effective measure would therefore be standstill. Skiing is “leiwand” But of course that shouldn't and can't be the case, because skiing is "leiwand", as Mr. Ambros so wonderfully told us in a song. What he meant was that the tracks in the snow would almost satisfy a basic need of people, at least in the Alpine region. Anyone who sees it that way will of course be asked to pay a lot this season. There is probably hardly a ski area that leaves the usual prices for day tickets. An increase of between five and ten percent compared to previous expenses must be taken into account, although the pain threshold is currently probably €70. Increased restaurant costs - because at least one snack is part of the day's skiing - as well as a good bloodletting at the gas station. By the way, the increase in car tolls in different countries is often forgotten.

Skiing is becoming a luxury good. © APA/THEMENBILD / BARBARA GINDL

A day of skiing like this is still a lot of fun, but it will probably quickly lead to empty coffers. Now it's time to do the math. So how much does a descent from the mountain to the valley ultimately cost? A simple rule of three is no longer possible; after all, all factors have to be taken into account. More expensive tickets and slower journeys would, conversely, mean that you get less for your money. Fewer departures inevitably. And then the other factors have to be taken into account, although I assume that the equipment is available first. If that is not the case, then the pension reserves will slowly but surely be drained. White sport has become a luxury good. For a long time actually. Until now, it has been insidious, but now, in these troubled times, you can feel it more clearly than ever before. And now you have to be happy if there are still slopes available at all. Processing machines for artificial snow (I hate the word snow cannons) have come under heavy criticism because of the resources they require, such as electricity and, above all, water, which is also in short supply. So perhaps in the future one or two descents will remain untreated as a green band in the dress that artificially covers the mountain. The barren hope is called Mrs. Holle But maybe Ms. Holle will listen to us, sense our longing and start doing vigorous activities of her own accord. We would greet every single snowflake personally. Until then, there will of course be increased uncertainty and reports in the sports block also make it clear that the comfortable times are over. In Falun (Sweden) they had to cancel the snowboarding World Cup event. Not because of a lack of snow, but because there are no longer enough sponsors available given the tense economic situation. The planned spectacular descents on the Matterhorn with a start in Switzerland and a finish in Italy are in jeopardy. The glacier is in a miserable condition after the hot and dry summer. Races will probably not be held under floodlights, just as floodlights will probably not be available to tourists for leisure activities, because it is hardly possible to ban cities from lighting and still bathe ski slopes in dazzling light. Admittedly, it is difficult to look forward to the coming winter in a carefree and casual way. Skiing is no longer as easy as it used to be. So far, people have turned a blind eye to it. But that is no longer possible now.

About the person: Sigi Heinrich The renowned sports journalist, author and award-winning Eurosport commentator (including winner of the German Television Prize and the Bavarian Sports Prize) not only dedicates his column “Sigi's Spitze” to the entire diversity of sport. He also deals with topics outside of his usual profession. Sometimes very seriously, often with a mischievous wink and sometimes deliberately provocative. There should be something for everyone.

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Skiing is becoming a luxury good

The upcoming winter will be a tough test of the household budget for all ski fans. The increase in prices for ski passes and additional costs for the white fun is obvious. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich hopes that early intervention by Ms. Holle can alleviate some of the problems.

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