On the slopes, ready, set, go

The Oberägeri ski area is very popular with families – if it continues to snow, it will already be put into operation on Wednesday of this week.

Thick snowflakes float through the air, sounds are muffled and a fine layer of snow covers the landscape, even at lower altitudes. In keeping with the Advent season, winter has arrived in the canton of Zug. And a lot of snow has been deposited, especially in higher-lying communities such as Oberägeri, Unterägeri and Menzingen. According to the weather forecast, the week will be crisscrossed by additional ‘precipitation’ - to the delight of the local ski lift operators.

The ski lift in Raten, for example, will start its operation from Wednesday; provided it continues to snow. The president of the ski area, Jürg Rogenmoser, explains:

"We usually prepare everything at the end of November, so that we can immediately start if there’s enough snow. A season start in December is early, which of course makes us very happy."

30 to 40 centimetres of snow are needed in order for the slopes to be used, and the seasons in recent years have therefore turned out very differently. There were years in which there was already enough snow for open slopes in December, but the operation then flopped between Christmas and New Year because the snow melted, or became too muddy. "We are used to the changing weather. As we are located at an altitude of only a good 1,000 metres, it happens again and again that it rains onto the snow, or it melts because of the Föhn wind," says Jürg Rogenmoser.

Last season, however, the operation was open for 72 days. Rogenmoser added: "That was a great season. If the current one turns out just as well, we’ll be more than satisfied."

Other ski lifts are also getting ready. The Nollen ski lift in Unterägeri opens when the school children have time off, for example on Wednesday afternoons and weekends when the schools are open. According to operations manager Ruedi Hanhart, however, it is still unclear whether the start of the season will take place on Wednesday. "It depends on the weather." The risk of the snow melting risk is higher at 700 metres.

Ten to 15 part-time employees employed
The ski-lift operation in Raten should therefore start on Wednesday, although it is still unsure whether it will be open on Thursday and Friday. The Zug ski area will be open to all snow sports enthusiasts at the weekend, however, and the lift will be open seven days a week as soon as there’s definitely enough snow,. As long as it isn’t actually snowing, skiers can escape from the fog there. Jürg Rogenmoser's wish for the upcoming season? There should be enough snow over Christmas and the New Year. "Then it will be high season for us," he says.

The ski lift Raten is ready for the winter season.
The Piste Bully is ready to go.
A wintry walk on the Raten is also recommended.
There’s also tobogganing
Photos: Maria Schmid, Oberägeri

According to Jürg Rogenmoser, the ski lift in Raten is run by about ten to 15 people. They each have different functions and are not permanently employed. Which relieves the financial pressure, as he then explains: "We can react flexibly depending on the snow conditions, and don’t run the risk of running up costs in bad conditions."

An area for children and families
The ski resort in Raten is small but fine. You’ll hardly find any ambitious skiers here. Jürg Rogenmoser relates from experience: "It’s mainly families and children that pay us a visit. And this is also because we have a toboggan run next to the ski slope. Smaller children who are exhausted from skiing after an hour often like to switch to the toboggan run."

Tobogganing is part of it.
Another trend has emerged in recent years, however, says Jürg Rogenmoser, with adults also increasingly visiting the area. "Skiers who have either not been on the slopes for a long time or who have never skied at all are increasingly finding their way up to the Raten area," he cheerfully reports. The easier slopes there are not only suitable for children, but also for adult (re-)beginners.

Information about the ski lifts can be found at: www.nollenaegeri.ch and  www.skilift-raten.ch.