Locals back Heutal ski area despite insolvency

Residents, visitors and the owners of a small ski area in Unken are hoping it can continue operating despite insolvency, ORF reports. A lack of snow and fewer winter sports visitors led the Heutallifte company to file for insolvency.

Some locals say they want the community to work together to keep the family ski area open. Unken resident Maria Schreder said she had heard that holiday apartments were already being cancelled. Alex Pulkert said his grandchildren learned to ski there and described the area as small and family-friendly.

Creditors, including the municipality of Unken, are due to meet for the first time in court at the end of November. A hearing on the future of the Heutal ski area is expected at Salzburg Regional Court in January.

Unken Mayor Florian Juritsch said the municipality wants to create the best possible financial conditions for Heutallifte GmbH and the wider Heutal area. It plans to support the ski area with the local tourism association, but large-scale expansion is no longer considered feasible.

Owner and managing director Sebastian Vitzthum said the company wants to remain a drag-lift ski area and continue developing in that direction. He said a functioning snowmaking system would require investment, while existing facilities should be kept running where possible. If snow conditions allow, the ski area could open for individual days this winter while restructuring proceedings continue.