Benjamin Manser/Lunax (Fotos), Ester Unterfinger (Bildredaktion)
The best in the world glide across the meadows at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour, on special skis, which have grooves like tracked vehicles.
Grass skiing is practiced at three locations in Switzerland. The regional training bases are in Bömmeli/Urnäsch (Appenzell), Goldingen (St. Gallen) and Escholzmatt/Marbach in Lucerne, where national competitions take place.
Grass skiing competitions are held mainly in the disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G. Together with Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic, Switzerland is one of the world leaders in this curious sport.
Skiing on grass was established in Germany in the 1960s to give athletes the opportunity to train during snow-free periods.
It has remained a marginal sport, but according to the grass skiing association (Grasskiverband), global warming and the lack of snow could well increase its popularity in the future.
What future for winter tourism under global warming?
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Skiing is no longer a money-making business and alpine resorts need to rethink their business model before it is too late, argues an expert.
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Swiss public television, RTS, reports there is now 30% less snow than 35 years ago in smaller resorts in lower-lying regions. This is a result of average temperatures rising by 1.5 degrees Celsius in Switzerland over the past century. Based on assessments made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a forecast has been…
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These are the main conclusions of a Credit Suisse report that compares 31 Swiss winter resorts. Already plagued by the strong franc, Swiss resorts are also struggling with the lack of snow caused by unusually warm, dry weather. According to the comparative study published on Tuesday, Swiss resorts face major challenges for their long-term survival.…
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