Snow Shortages: How Lower Austria's Mountain Tourism Is Adapting to Climate Change

How Austria's Wexl Arena Redefined Mountain Tourism Beyond Winter Sports

It's the worst-case scenario for anyone who makes a living from mountain tourism: What do you do when winter's white blanket fails to arrive?

Fifteen years ago, the lower elevations of the Alpine region in Lower Austria prompted a major rethink. "For that long, we in Lower Austria have been intensively exploring how to transform ski resorts into year-round mountain experience centers," says Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. "The Wexl Arena St. Corona am Wechsel has become an international model, drawing around 50 delegations annually to study its success."

The concept—a year-round destination featuring a small children's ski area, two bike lifts, a motor skills park, and a summer toboggan run (the Corona Coaster)—has gained global recognition as a "best practice" example.

On the Global Stage

At the 13th UN World Congress on Snow, Mountain, and Wellness Tourism in Andorra, the Wexl Arena was recently showcased to 400 attendees as a prime example of climate change adaptation.

Record Visitor Numbers

With well over 250,000 visitors, the Wexl Arena set a new attendance record. But what truly captured the interest of international tourism experts was its innovative approach. "We're not afraid to break new ground by offering classic summer attractions alongside winter sports in a kind of hybrid operation," says Markus Redl, managing director of the state-owned Ecoplus Alpin GmbH. "This flexibility is a logistical challenge, but guests love it."

A Turning Point: The Warm Winter of 2023

The warm winter of 2023 served as a defining moment, blurring the seasons in St. Corona. With temperatures hitting 15°C (59°F) in December, children skied on the slopes while the motor skills park and other summer attractions were flooded with visitors.

At the Andorra congress, the central focus was on how mountain destinations can adapt to climate change. Following a Swiss initiative, the topic was scientifically examined in advance. Christian Baumgartner, a professor specializing in sustainability at the Institute of Tourism and Leisure at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, presented the Wexl Arena as a positive case study to an international audience.

A Phoenix Rising

For Mikl-Leitner and Redl, this recognition confirms they've backed the right strategy. "The fact that the Wexl Arena and Wexl Trails were highlighted at a UN world congress on mountain tourism proves we're on the right path," says Mikl-Leitner.

Fifteen years ago, few would have predicted such a revival for St. Corona, once a struggling winter sports hub. When the heavily loss-making ski resort closed in 2013 and its lifts were dismantled, the region seemed doomed to economic decline.

Snow Scarcity at 844 Meters

The shift to year-round tourism proved a masterstroke for operator Karl Morgenbesser. The area's low elevation—just 844 meters above sea level—actually worked in their favor. The strategy now centers on an eight- to nine-month summer season, with family skiing as the finishing touch. "We need to build other revenue streams beyond snow to ensure stability, whether winter is white or green," explains Redl.

Mountain Air and Sunshine

The reinvention of the Wechsel region has attracted entirely new visitor groups. Some come in winter but have no interest in snow sports. "The potential is huge for those who simply want to enjoy the mountain air, the views, and the sunshine," says Redl.

Economically, the high cost of winter infrastructure is undeniable. "The numbers work far better when we repurpose facilities for multiple uses or focus snow production on smaller, more efficient areas," says the strategist behind Lower Austria's mountain experience centers.