On the Marmolada a mountaineering “flash-mob” to say “No more skiing facilities”.
On the Marmolada, queen of the Dolomites, a mountaineering flash mob was held yesterday to say “No more installations” and to invite reflection on sustainable development.
“Aware that the mountain exploitation machine, with the construction of new facilities, will not stop in the face of the pandemic, we have decided to express our opposition to this new project,” say the organisers.
Two groups of mountaineers found themselves on the summit of Col de Bousc and near the former Pian dei Fiacconi gondola lift: a few people were deliberately aware of the health emergency so as not to create risk situations.
The message conveyed, through the display of banners on the rocks of the Marmolada, is simple: “let’s stop the indiscriminate exploitation of the mountains, let’s not build new lifts”.
The Queen of the Dolomites has always been a mountain symbol of the Italian naturalistic heritage, loved and known all over the world.
After seventy years Marmolada Trentina finds itself without ski lifts and the organizers of this event underline the need to change direction and go towards a tourist model that goes beyond the logic of large numbers and mass tourism, which are the basis of the economic profitability of ski lifts.
In the light of the changing trend in tourism demands, the ski market has shown a slow but continuous decline in recent years and an increase in maintenance costs (snowmaking, artificial reservoirs), which must be reflected in the face of climate change.
On the other hand, there is an increasing desire on the part of tourists to be in contact with nature and the culture of the place where they have decided to spend their holidays.
The project of the Carosello in Marmolada, with the Fedaia pass link to Sass Bianchet and a possible Trentino-Veneto link, represents an environmental risk that cannot be ignored, the organisers, all entrepreneurs, mountain guides, professionals or simple mountain lovers, stress.
“We think it is essential to build a sustainable tourism project to safeguard and enhance the Marmolada. Environmental, economic and social sustainability are the guidelines for a tourist redevelopment project aimed at enhancing environmental, naturalistic and historical-cultural resources, in an experiential key”.
“Just as Marmolada was the pioneer of mass tourism with ski lifts 70 years ago, now it can once again become the leader of a new model based on a long-term development logic that takes into account the enhancement of our cultural heritage, conservation and respect for the environment, while maintaining the attractiveness of this world heritage site”.
From the MUSE study “Towards sustainable tourism for the Marmolada area” it emerged that the tourist catchment area already has a complete supply of slopes and facilities, both in terms of type and location, and that the existing facilities infrastructures are not being used to their full potential.
“Let’s imagine a shared project, thanks to the active collaboration of protagonists such as Sat, Muse, local operators, mountain guides, the Fassana community and institutions, environmental associations, the Ladin institute of Fassa, together with all those who want to bring their experience to a truly innovative project”.
“We believe that the future of tourism in the mountains must change, making existing facilities efficient and diversifying the tourist offer”.