Tourism, shelter managers: “Uncertain winter between expensive bills and unknown weather”

The winter season is almost upon us, but there is little to be happy for tour operators in the Lombardy mountains. Between the expensive bills and the uncertainty of the weather, conditioned by the effects of climate change, the future is full of uncertainties. So much so that there are those who are seriously considering whether to open or remain closed waiting for better times: “In this period of the season – Fabrizio Carella, president of the Otto-roa huts and alpine works commission explains to Adnkronos del Cai Lombardia – many shelters have anticipated closure; others remain open only on weekends, weather conditions permitting, but the real problem will be for the winter season, given the exponentially increased energy costs “. There is also an important issue to consider, that of food supplies: “Many managers in the high mountains have to pay for transport by helicopter to have the supply service and this also has a significant impact on general costs”. This is why “at this moment there is a lot of insecurity, even if I trust in the adaptability of our managers who, in the face of difficulties, were able to react in the best way to face the crisis”. The anomalous heat of last summer undoubtedly business favored for Lombard refugees who, however, risk seeing their results frustrated if measures are not taken soon: “The summer just ended, speaking of numbers, was a good season – say Sandra Bottanelli and Chicco Zani, managers of the Cai Albani refuge in Colere, in the Bergamo area. In the months of June and July, attendance was greater than the previous year and the number of overnight stays also increased, also considering the more permissive Covid regulations, which in the last 2 years had greatly reduced the number of places available. However, what we perceived overall is that, especially in families, the spending budget has dropped. before in a lunch more courses were consumed, now a good part is reduced to contain costs “. Precisely to keep costs down, the Albani refuge itself has decided to close its doors ahead of time: “This year we brought the closure forward to 18 September, while we usually also opened on weekends until the end of October – the managers explain- . We made this choice not only to be able to do some maintenance work on the structure, also for the numbers we are doing in this autumn season. It was not worth keeping open with the costs that are increasing “. For the winter, then, “there is still a lot of uncertainty; for the winter season we will open, starting with the week from New Year’s Eve to Epiphany, then we will evaluate whether to open on weekends until the end of April, but only if they will be such as to cover at least the expenses “. Also because “we have permanent employees to whom we want to guarantee the season, but if there will not be a reduction in costs, with the variables that exist in managing a refuge at 2000 meters, unfortunately we cannot give them this certainty”. In any case, “we already consider ourselves very lucky because our employees, in order not to miss the season, in case the ski lifts do not work, have said they are willing to go up every weekend on foot (and it is 2 and a half hours ) with snowshoes or ski mountaineering. We have created a good working climate, we are a big family. It is not easy for us to assume that we choose to keep closed “. Also for Emanuele and Fabio Bergomi, managers of the Zoia refuge in Campo Moro Lanzada, in Valmalenco, “the numbers of the summer just passed are positive, even higher than the average of recent years”. And the reservations for the winter, “are in line with the past years”. Of course, they admit, “the last few years have accustomed us to uncertainty”. This is why “we try to work with serenity, planning our work in the short term and trying to be as flexible as possible, which we also ask our employees to do”. By increasing uncertainties “we try to avoid riskier investments and try to optimize the resources we have”. But the rise in prices and supply difficulties, however, weigh: “If energy costs continue to rise – the two operators warn – it could be uneconomical to open”. Certainly, “putting a ceiling on energy tariffs, facilitating and encouraging the use of wood could be of help, also to the territory in terms of cleanliness and safety”. For the winter season, “those who work with the ski lifts are conditioned by the risk of not opening the lifts” and “if it does not snow, given the lack of water and the increase in energy costs, I believe that few places will be able to produce artificial snow and open the lifts “. On the other hand, “the refuges that are not located in the ski areas should suffer less, indeed, they could be a valid alternative for those who cannot ski, as happened in 2021. If, on the other hand, there will be snow, as we all hope, we think that it could be a good season for everyone “.