There's a lack of precipitation

Ruedi Steiner was in charge of the Zugerberg cross-country ski trail for around 30 years before handing over the reins to Thomas Moos. But the winters, which used to be reliably snowy, have now become a gamble. The association is now having to deal with the new reality.
 

At the beginning of December, the Zugerberg looked much like it has so often at that time of year: the ground was dusted with a layer of white, but the snow cover was barely sufficient to prepare the trail for cross-country skiing. "Unfortunately, there's not enough snow to make tracks (Spuren)," explained Thomas Moos, the new head of the Zugerberg cross-country ski trail (Langlauf Loipe Zugerberg). The first cross-country skiers had already been out on the trail, as two cold weekends in November had been enough to make the first tracks.

For Thomas Moos, this situation felt very familiar. He grew up on the Zugerberg mountain and has been fascinated by piste vehicles since childhood. He has helped organise the Zugerberg cross-country ski trail for more than ten years. Ruedi Steiner, who shaped the development of the trails on the Zugerberg for over three decades, had handed over the reins to him. "When Thomas agreed, a weight was lifted from my shoulders," says Ruedi Steiner. "He knows everything, inside and out."

What used to primarily require organisation and physical labour has now become a matter of planning reliability, explains Ruedi Steiner. "Beautiful white winters have become rare." The trail was only open for 19 days last season.

Thomas Moos confirms the trend: "The cold is often there, but the precipitation is lacking." And when the snow does fall, it often melts quickly. That's why he has to react quickly as soon as the first snow arrives.

He lives right next to the start of the cross-country ski trail, which gives him an advantage over his predecessor. Ruedi Steiner nods and explains that, for years, he regularly made trips from the valley up the mountain, only to find that there wasn't enough snow for cross-country skiing. "You need at least 20 centimetres before you can groom the trails."

The duties of a trail manager
The responsibilities of Thomas Moos extend far beyond trail grooming: he is responsible for safety, the equipment, the annual marking of the trails, and the coordination of the drivers of the piste vehicles. Around 400 marker poles and 100 signs are stored on the Zugerberg mountain, distributed across three equipment depots.

In the autumn, a number of volunteers prepare the trails to be ready for winter, he reports. "We always have lunch together afterwards."

This photo was taken at the beginning of December. Even then, there wasn't enough snow for cross-country skiing – now there's none at all  
Thomas Moos (left) and Ruedi Steiner work tirelessly every year to ensure a good cross-country ski trail on the Zugerberg
Thomas Moos (left) also ensures safety on the trails. Here, for example, he installed a sign showing the rules of behaviour           Photos: Maria Schmid
 

The team also receives support from the City of Zug and the Zug Corporation. The City of Zug grants the association an interest-free loan for the purchase of a piste vehicle. The Zugerbergbahn AG (Zugerberg mountain railway/funicular) provides the diesel fuel and pays the costs of the piste vehicles on weekends, and the Zug Corporation ensures that the forest sections are safe.

Ruedi Steiner emphasizes that other trail experts also confirm that the Zugerberg cross-country ski trail has high-quality infrastructure. "Several trail managers had tears in their eyes when they saw our vehicles." The network covers 14 kilometres from the Vordergeissboden to the Nollen mountain station. The route is scenically diverse and offers a challenging workout.

The piste vehicle stays in the garage
But without snow, this potential remains untapped. Ruedi Steiner recalls times when the trail was open practically continuously from December to March. "In recent years, it's sometimes been spring without me needing the piste vehicle even once."

There is a strategy for the next four years, aimed at maintaining the cross-country ski trails, even with few days of snow. But Ruedi Steiner and Thomas Moos admit that this strategy would need to be adapted or partially rethought if snow conditions were to become even more precarious. The two don't want to paint a bleak picture of the future just yet, but the gradual change is noticeable to both of them. It's quite clear for Ruedi Steiner,: "The effort becomes too great at some point if there's hardly any return."

Despite all the challenges, neither of them has lost their enthusiasm. "The surroundings alone are unique," says Thomas Moos. And Ruedi Steiner raves about the moment when the first untouched snow glistens on the Zugerberg: "It gives me goosebumps."
 

Further information and opening times can be found on:
www.loipe-zugerberg.ch.

Information about other cross-country ski trails in Zug can be found on: www.skiklubmenzingen.ch/loipe and skiklub-unteraegeri.ch/langlauf.

The situation at the other cross-country ski trails in Zug:

Menzingen – Schurtannen
The five-kilometre-long Schurtannen trail (Schurtannenloipe) in Menzingen is particularly popular with beginners and older cross-country skiers because of its gentle gradients. "On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Säntis," enthuses Fredy Abächerli, president of the trail maintenance association.
The team was ready for the first snowfall, but rain and warm nights prevented them from opening. As soon as substantial snowfall arrives, everything will be ready, including the first cross-country ski-ing lessons in January.

Unterägeri Cross-Country Ski Trail
There are three cross-country ski trails totalling 18.5 kilometres in length next to the Nollen ski lift in Unterägeri. "Our topography is unique. We have sections through the forest and stretches near the lake," explains Salvatore Lucini, head of the Unterägeri cross-country ski trail. The early heavy snowfall caused a brief flurry of activity. The practice, Furren, and See trails are now ready, but there currently isn't enough snow. Salvatore Lucini nevertheless expects a cold winter and a good season.