Greens challenge Salzburg funding for Flachau floodlights

The Greens have criticised Salzburg’s €2.7 million contribution to an €8 million expansion of the ski-racing course in Flachau, where organisers plan to add a women’s night giant slalom this season. ORF reported that the project’s largest expense is a new floodlighting system.

Transport of new lighting masts and fixtures began on Friday, with 63 helicopter flights needed to deliver them to the World Cup course. The existing lights will be replaced with LED technology, and the number of illuminated supports will increase from 21 to 42. The lighting will also be extended higher up the course for the women’s giant slalom scheduled for 5 January.

The municipality of Flachau, the mountain railway company and the tourism association are sharing the costs, with the state providing €2.7 million.

Green Party parliamentary group leader Martina Berthold said the party’s criticism was about the state government’s priorities. She pointed to cuts to climate protection and the energy transition, saying it was difficult to understand why funding was available for the project after a hot summer.

State Governor Karoline Edtstadler, whose responsibilities include tourism, rejected the criticism. She said the investment would bring money into the state, secure jobs and support tourism and sport in the long term.

Flachau is planning to host two women’s World Cup races this season for the first time, alongside its existing night slalom. The course is being extended for the giant slalom. Tourism association representative Elias Perkmann said the new LED lights use less energy and can be adjusted for different needs, including training and television broadcasts. Night-time public skiing will not be possible because the necessary permit has not been granted.