Schigebiet Unterberg, a small four-lift ski area near Vienna, will permanently cease lift operations after failing to open for two consecutive seasons due to lack of snow. The operators—who rescued the resort in 2014—cited ongoing mild winters and climate change as the reason for the closure and thanked staff and regulars. They plan to repurpose the area for ski touring and snowshoeing. Experts note that climate impacts vary across Europe, with lower-altitude ranges most at risk.
Climate Change Forces Permanent Closure Of Austria’s Schigebiet Unterberg
Climate Change Forces Permanent Closure of Austrian Ski Area
Schigebiet Unterberg, a small four-lift ski area a few hours from Vienna, has announced it will permanently stop lift operations after consecutive seasons without sufficient snow. The operators—Erich Panzenböck, Klaus Panzenböck and the Unterberg team—said ongoing mild winters and clear signs of climate change left them no choice but to end resort lift service.
Owners' Statement
In a message posted on the resort's website (translated from German), the team said they rescued the facility in 2014 and worked for years to sustain regional winter sports. "We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts our loyal regulars, the partners in the Pernitz-Muggendorf region and our great team, who fought until the end for every snowflake, for every day of skiing," they wrote. The statement added that plans are being developed to repurpose Unterberg for ski touring and snowshoeing, with details to follow.
"After taking over and saving the ski area in 2014, and years of commitment to regional winter sports, the continuing mild winters and the noticeable climate change are now forcing us to permanently stop the lift operation."
Local Impact And Reaction
Local outlets report the resort did not open for skiing or snowboarding in either of the past two seasons because of insufficient snowfall. The closure notice drew an outpouring of sympathy in the comments: "Very, very sad!" and "But you have held out for a long time…" were among the responses.
Wider Climate Context
The decision follows a record-hot European summer that produced wildfires and forced some glacier-dependent ski areas, including Zermatt and Saas-Fee, to temporarily suspend off-season skiing. Climate experts say impacts vary across Europe: Hugues François of the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment told Euronews that higher, inland sections of the Alps remain relatively resilient, while the Slovenian Alps and the Pyrenees occupy a more uncertain zone. Regions such as the Iberian Peninsula and Italy's Apennines have already been pushed to their limits by warming.
Adaptation And Diversification
In response, some mountain destinations are diversifying away from traditional lift-served skiing. Unterberg plans to emphasize ski touring and snowshoeing—activities less dependent on consistent resort snow—while other resorts are adding summer attractions: for example, Villars-Gryon–Diablerets in Switzerland installed a new giant swing to draw visitors during warmer months.
Source: This story was originally published by Powder on Sep 22, 2026.
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