The Tyrolean cable car and ski area program

In the following, Benjamin describes the development of the TSSP and calls for comments. How did the program come about, what changes have been made and which current projects are affected? An overview:

The Tyrolean Cable Car and Ski Area Program (TSSP for short) expires at the end of 2018. Whether and how the program should be extended is currently the subject of heated debate. The draft for a new program is already available and comments can be submitted until 2 November. Not only environmental or spatial planning experts are invited to do so, all Tyroleans can have their say.

First act: the prehistory

To understand the development of the program, you have to go back to the 1980s. Wendelin Weingartner and Ferdinand Eberle, the provincial councillors at the time, called for a pause for thought in connection with ski resort closures. This statement not only went down in Tyrolean political annals as a catchphrase, but actually led to the first resolution of the "Tyrolean Cable Car Principles" in 1992, a spatial planning policy instrument that was intended to establish clear rules: There should be no more new developments, instead investments should be made in the optimization of existing facilities.

The cable car principles were repeatedly extended until 2004, but there was a catch: they were not legally binding. Cable car projects had to be assessed individually, which often led to lengthy and cost-intensive procedures and was associated with numerous conflicts between environmental organizations and the cable car industry.

Second act: The agreement

The desire for uniform criteria with legally binding force finally led to the "Tyrolean Cable Car and Ski Area Programme" being enacted in 2005. Anna Hosp, the provincial councillor at the time, succeeded in bringing about a consensus between nature conservation organizations and the cable car industry. The ban on new developments and construction measures in protected areas on the one hand and the cost savings from faster procedures on the other meant that both sides were sufficiently satisfied. At least for the time being.

There is also strong opposition to the planned connection between Hochoetz and Kühtai via the Feldringer Böden and the Schafjoch. A local citizens' initiative has formed with the aim of protecting this largely untouched landscape. "Thanks to its easy accessibility and avalanche-safe location, the area is extremely popular with families and ski tourers. Ski development and use with five(!) lifts and a downhill run would cause serious damage to nature. Protected amphibians would lose their habitat and the landscape would be permanently destroyed. The construction of reservoirs for artificial snowmaking could severely disrupt the water balance. Our children should still be able to enjoy unspoilt nature!" says Dr. Gerd Estermann, spokesperson for the initiative, whose petition was supported by several thousand people within a short space of time and can still be signed.

Sixth act: The appeal

As freeriders, we often gratefully use the existing lifts, but at the same time we are looking for the special and, at best, untracked lines that are rarely found under the lifts, but mostly in the less developed areas. This is not the only reason why we appreciate the value of natural landscapes.

Tyrol has 96 ski resorts with a total of 1000 lifts and 3400 kilometers of slopes. This corresponds to a length of slopes from Innsbruck to Greenland. In view of the extent of the development that has already taken place, the constant increase in traffic and the undeniable climatic changes, it is high time to say: enough is enough!

The new TSSP would cause further damage to nature. If you want the drama to come to a positive end after all, you should send your comments directly to the Tyrolean provincial government:

Amt der Tiroler Landesregierung

Abt. Building and Regional Planning Law

third floor, room 3-082

Landhaus 2, Heiliggeiststraße 7-9

6020 Innsbruck

Or by email here and here.