Greens challenge planned 1,500-seat ski lodge in Wagrain

The Greens have asked Salzburg’s state government to investigate alleged unauthorised forest clearing linked to a planned ski lodge in Wagrain, ORF reported. A modern restaurant for about 1,500 guests is planned at the mid-station of the Flying Mozart cable car in the Pongau district.

The project operator had hoped the lodge would be standing five years ago, but the development has faced several obstacles. Most of the forest on the property could not be cleared, an environmental permit was missing and the required zoning designation for the lodge had not yet been granted.

Part of the forest was nevertheless cleared several years ago, according to the report. The operator disputes the allegations, saying that not a single tree was illegally felled on the property, which belongs to the Bundesforsten forestry organisation. A valid clearing permit has also been in place again since this week.

That situation prompted questions from Simon Heilig-Hofbauer, a Green member of the state parliament. He said parts of the land had been cleared after an earlier permit had expired and that the work had subsequently been approved retroactively.

Heilig-Hofbauer said the project involved an approved clearing area of 6,000 square metres and plans for several tunnels beneath the ski runs leading to the lodge. In his view, the planned building was effectively a large-scale catering operation rather than a traditional ski lodge, with up to 1,500 seats.

The Greens said they were concerned about the project’s impact on the natural environment, including protected plants and animals, wetlands and moors.

Neighbouring landowners also intend to continue opposing the development. They fear that removing the forest would create water-related problems. They also object to the recent demolition of a functioning lodge operated by the same company, located only a few hundred metres higher up.