The ski resorts in Switzerland are having a season below expectations due to the temperatures that are above seasonal norms in Europe this year.
The fact that there is not enough snowfall this year in the Swiss Alps, where record low temperatures are recorded at this time of the year under normal conditions, continues to be a problem for skiers and ski resort operators.
With the effect of climate change, it was observed that the temperatures were above the seasonal norms throughout Europe, especially in the first days of the year, and temperatures exceeding 20 degrees were experienced in some places.
While Europeans enjoyed the sunny and warm weather in January, this picture negatively affected ski tourism in Switzerland.
While the Swiss Alps experienced an unusually seasonal temperature, on January 1, “the highest January temperature of all time” was recorded with 20.9 degrees in the north of the Alps.
The limited snow in the Alps caused the ski lifts to be closed, especially in the low areas, and directed the tourists who want to ski to the higher slopes.
Some businesses in Switzerland have opened summer cycling tracks instead of winter sports areas.
WORLD SNOW FESTIVAL CANCELED
Some ski resorts in the Splügen-Tambo region in the canton of Graubünden have decided to close until further notice due to the lack of snow, heavy rain and high temperatures.
The Swiss Federal Office for Climate and Weather Science has announced that high temperatures are expected to continue, with heatwaves coming from the west and southwest.
While snowfall is seen in the mountains above 2 thousand meters, the lower regions did not receive enough snowfall this year.
The World Snow Festival, which is traditionally held every year in the village of Grindelwald in the city of Bern, has also been cancelled.
Officials stated that they tried to hold the festival until the last moment, but they had to give up.
TOURISTS INCREASED BUT…
Despite the hot weather, tourism in Switzerland maintained its vitality during Christmas and New Years, while the rate of accommodation in holiday villages increased by 3 percent compared to the previous year, with the effect of foreign tourists.
However, the number of skiers going to the Alps decreased by 8 percent.
According to information received from a hotel owner, the business volume of hotels with ski centers below 1800 meters has decreased this year.
The lack of sufficient snow on the ski slope of the hotels at this height brought ski tourism to a standstill.
Ski lovers prefer hotels located above 2000 meters to use the ski slopes and cable cars.
The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced that the temperature trend, which has been out of season until now, continues.