Fritz List in Tyrol demands annual subsidies for small and very small ski resorts.
18/March/2026
For Liste Fritz, learning to ski shouldn't be a luxury. Dedicated operators should be rewarded.
The Fritz List has existed since 2008. It has won seats in the Tyrolean Parliament and the Innsbruck City Council several times. The party is led by party chair Andrea Haselwanter-Schneider and parliamentary group leader Markus Sint.
Liste Fritz parliamentary group leader Markus Sint himself learned to ski and snowboard in a small ski area, the Dorfberglift in St. Oswald/Kartitsch. "Just like many thousands of Tyrolean children and holidaymakers. Such small ski areas are essential so that children can learn to ski and snowboard safely and their parents don't have to worry. Small ski areas are affordable and family-friendly," Markus Sint lists some of the advantages.
Around 45 small and very small ski areas will receive annual funding again.
The ÖVP-SPÖ state government has changed the funding guidelines for the approximately 45 small and very small ski resorts. Now, operators can only apply for funding every two years. The Fritz List party submitted an urgent motion in the state parliament in February demanding this change, and the matter will be discussed in the parliamentary committee next week. "As before, operators should be able to apply for funding annually. This is necessary because small ski resorts, in particular, depend on regular investments for modern infrastructure. The survival of such small ski resorts usually depends on a few exceptionally dedicated individuals. These people should be rewarded by the state government, not penalized with funding hurdles," argues Sint, parliamentary group leader of the Fritz List.
"Anyone who talks about Tyrol as a sporting region must also ensure a solid foundation for sports, and that starts with the youngest skiers. This is where children learn to ski, where school ski days, ski races, and training sessions take place, and where the next generation of skiers develops. Without these resorts, winter sports will collapse in the long run," warns Sint. "Political announcements alone won't secure a single ski resort. Let's reward the dedication of those involved by reinstating annual funding."
Annual investments in small ski resorts are an economic factor for many regions.
Small and very small ski resorts are not only training grounds for winter sports, but also an economic factor for many regions. They secure and create regional jobs. In this way, they strengthen rural areas and complement large ski resorts in a meaningful way within the tourism mix. Cable car spokesperson Franz Hörl also recently emphasized the indispensable role of small ski resorts for training, developing young talent, and recreational sports.
"If even the industry itself says how important these areas are, then the state government must not create obstacles. Anyone who wants to attract new talent must ensure access. An annual funding opportunity is not a luxury, but a necessity. It's about regional economic development and Tyrol's future as a family and winter sports destination," Markus Sint concludes.l
