Alpbach: The Schatzberg ski-project is taking form

The ski region of Alpbach is to be connected to that of Wildschönau. There is unfortunately some hefty resistance against the project.

Despite protests from inhabitants as well as far from positive reaction from the district council, the Tirol region stated the connection to the Wildschönau as a ropeway target in 2000. At present the Alpbacher Bergbahnen transport an estimated 5000 winter sportsmen to the western ski region of the Widersbergerhorn daily. Because of stagnating transport figures, in some cases even a slight decline has been noted, it has been targeted to connect the region with the Wildschönau thereby incorporating the untouched Schatzberg into the area. Managing director Peter Hausberger has stressed the difficulty of promoting Alpbach with only 19 ski lifts available to tourists.

This project has found much resistance in Inneralpbach. It is here that the new and relatively large base station is to be constructed, from where two ropeways are to eminate. One leading to the Schatzberg, another to the Widersbergerhorn. This planned construction and the prognosed rise in guests to the area worries many of the towns inhabitants according to Jörg Mauersberg, leading the inhabitant initiative “Schatzber – without lifts”! It looks like practiacally all even areas of the valley will be used for parking facilities. This will have a negative effect on other possibilites of development in the town, such as trade and industry. Empty parking lots is also not a prospect inhabitants look forward to in the summer months. Others are also opposed to the project. The community of Brixlegg fear suffocating traffic. The mountain society has environmental worries. Norbert Wolf, leader of this society feels it is an irresponsible project endangering nature in the area that is worthy of protection, six plant types alone are on the red list of the washington environmental protection organisation.

The ropeways managing director, Peter Hausberger, argues that the Schatzberg ropeway only constitutes a means of transport and that no new slopes will be developed. He considers a rise in traffic as a natural by product of development and growth. Wether these disadvantages are willing to be tolerated will be decided by the politicians. First and foremost by the district council as well as the Tirol region. The opponents of this project are demanding that this planned connection of the ski regions is thoroughly examined.

The project has been financed by both the Alpbach- and Schatzberg Bergbahnen.