These elements will crown the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for the highest viewpoint in the city
The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death
Although there nearly no natural snow, the slopes at Wexl Arena St. Corona am Wechsel are open, Source: Wexl Arena on Facebook
The unusual weather conditions could also lead to problems in the Alpine forests
Austria is a staple country for winter sports, however, due to the warm winter in Europe, many have seen record-low snowfall and almost springlike temperatures. This has pushed some providers to start offering cable car lift services to hikers, combined with family offers and adapted resting places in the mountains.
The ORF reports that several skiing lifts in the Austrian Federal State of Lower Austria have opened hiking and biking trails. While some also feature skiable slopes, the Großer Ötscher" double chair lift in Lackenhof am Ötscher will not transport skiers, but only pedestrians, this weekend.
Additionally, experts University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna claim that alpine forests are going into ‘spring’ mode and starting to wake up way too early. This can present a major problem for the ecosystem because if winter temperatures decide to take a dive, the frost can damage the buds and the natural ecosystem’s cycle.
Hubert Hasenauer, head of the Institute for Forestry was quoted explaining that pests also become active earlier and are also more violent. He also warned that a lack of snow can lead to drought conditions in forests come spring, as it acts as a reservoir.
Many ski resorts in Lower Austria have decided to adapt to the warm winter situation by opening up lifts to pedestrians, hikers and bikers. For example, Ötscher lifts in Lackenhof am Ötscher, will be open to pedestrians this weekend, while the "Großer Ötscher" double chair lift will not accept skiers at all. Before the end of the year, St. Corona am Wechsel announced the opening of ski slopes and the motorbike park due to the lack of snow.
Opening of Motorbike park at Wexl Arena, 29 December, Source: Wexl Arena on Facebook
In the Gemeindealpe Mitterbach resort, pedestrians will be able to use the Bodenbauerexpress quad chairlift and the Gipfelbahn double chairlift on the weekend. At the neighbouring Mariazeller Bürgeralpe, in addition to skiable slopes, the resort will also offer a three-lake hiking trail from the Bürgeralpe Express mountain station and the "Backside Up" bike route.
At the Erlebnisalm Mönichkirchen visitors can walk to the Mönichkirchner Schwaig. At the Semmering-Hirschenkogel Bergbahnen, pedestrians can use the gondola lift parallel while the hiking trails will not require snow shoes.
Additionally, the ORF reported that despite catering to hikers, resorts will offer skiing in parallel and the weather conditions will not interfere with ski lessons. According to a statement by Ecoplus Alpin GmbH, managing many of the resorts, the shift to hikers is part of local tourism’s push to provide a year-round package.
The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death
The city officials announced that the start of the works is planned for 2028
The Municipality Kazanlak will put the decision to a local referendum with the argument that Buzludzha would boost its tourism appeal
But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation
Literally embracing an ‘old-school’ approach to education
The municipality provides the tool to encourage more sustainable thinking and planning in the field of urban design
The incorporation of the underground network into the logistics sector has in view the reduction of street traffic above
The city officials announced that the start of the works is planned for 2028
Travelling anywhere in the regional public transit networks will cost either 2 or 2.5 euros
The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death
On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors
The Municipality Kazanlak will put the decision to a local referendum with the argument that Buzludzha would boost its tourism appeal
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital