The latest sign that climate change is impacting snowsports has come from the famous Superpark Dachstein in Austria which has announced it won’t re-open in the autumn in order to protect the glacier on which it is located.
A statement from the park´s operator, the Planai-Hochwurzen lift company, said,
“After many great years of Superpark on the Dachstein glacier, we’ve heavy-heartedly decided that we will not rebuild Dachstein Superpark in the upcoming autumn.”
“One important reason is the increasing glacial retreat in the park area. It is definitely unjustifiable that we were already forced to damage the glacial ice sheet during the park’s build-up. It’s the dictate of the moment to preserve the glacier. We ask you to understand the justified criticism of environmentalists. We most cordially thank all our loyal guests.”
The Dachstein glacier’s Superpark, first created in the year 2000 by snowboard professional Bernd Mandlberger, had developed into a leading centre on the local and international freestyle scene.
Located on the DacsteinGlacier it was able to operate in late spring and autumn with both a 200m long beginner park and a longer park served by the Hunerkogel Lift for intermedites and the moe advanced, attracting freestylers from all over the world.
Regular ski slopes and cross country runs will still open in the autumn as soon as there is fresh snow, the lift company statement concluded.
