Warm winters and rising costs end Kolben ski operations
Sunday 25th October 2026 on 16:15 in
Bavaria
The Kolben ski area in Oberammergau will end its winter operations after 15 years, BR24 reports. Operators say they will no longer prepare the slopes or make artificial snow as warmer, wetter winters and rising costs have made operations unprofitable.
Every winter since the 2019-20 season has been a financial loss, according to the operators. Losses over the past three winters alone totalled just over one million euros. They said more precipitation was falling as rain rather than snow, and that freezing temperatures suitable for making artificial snow were becoming less frequent.
The area’s valley station is at 850 metres and its mountain station at 1,270 metres. Operators said they had to invest in more equipment to produce more snow in less time. They also faced rising electricity and diesel costs, increased winter staffing needs and restrictions on taking water from the Ammer River when water levels were low.
This winter, only the small Wank drag lifts at the bottom of the slope, which are run by another operator, are expected to remain open.
Other ski areas adjust operations and prices
The Berchtesgaden mountain railway ended conventional skiing at Jenner last season. Its new approach, the company said, responds to snow conditions in recent years and visitor demand while conserving resources and protecting the environment.
Most Bavarian ski areas plan to open in December, before the Christmas holidays. The Zugspitze could open as early as late November if enough snow has fallen; snowmaking is not used there.
The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn is raising prices by about two per cent. A day ticket for the Zugspitzplatt glacier area costs 78 euros at the ticket office, or 70.50 euros if bought online the day before. Last year, a day ticket for the Zugspitze ski area cost 69 euros. In Garmisch-Classic, a day ticket will cost 72 euros at the ticket office and 69 euros when bought online in advance.
The Alpen Plus ski pass, covering Brauneck, Sudelfeld and Spitzingsee, will cost 53 to 55 euros for adults, about two euros more than last year. The OK mountain railways in the Allgäu are also increasing prices: a day ticket for the entire ski area will cost 72.90 euros, just over four euros more than last year. Operators cited higher energy and staffing costs.