Preparation for the World Ski Championships

“Should experience a carefree, safe ski festival”

District Governor Bernhard Gratz with Group Head of Police and Road Traffic Bernd Wilhelmstätter and team colleagues Stefan Pfeiffenberger, Michael Hauer.(Bild: Land Salzburg/Melanie Hutter)

The Zell am See district authority is preparing intensively for the upcoming World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Behind the scenes, they are working on safety concepts to ensure that everything runs smoothly from February 4 to 16...

The Zell am See district administration has its hands full. Because the authorities are also facing a mammoth task with the World Cup. District Governor Bernhard Gratz explains: "Our top priority is the safety of the fans, athletes and everyone who is helping out. This ranges from the traffic concept to safe handling. We are working intensively on this together with all emergency organizations, the provincial police directorate, the organizer, the municipalities and everyone involved."

Adapting the concept to the World Ski Championships
The implementation of a traffic concept is the responsibility of the authorities. "We just met again on Thursday (yesterday, note) in a large group, but there are also smaller working groups for the various areas that are constantly working on it. Fortunately, we had a kind of small dress rehearsal with the World Cup final in March. But now the World Ski Championships are coming and the traffic concept has to be adapted accordingly," explains group leader Bernd Wilhelmstätter.

Arriving by public transport, on skis and less by car has proven to be a good idea. "We are currently working on the final details. The new train station in Maishofen and the bus terminals in Hinterglemm will help, there will be more parking spaces and we will make a comprehensive appeal for fans to come by public transport and on skis, as space for private transport is limited," says Stefan Pfeiffenberger from the Zell am See district administration.

Safety is the top priority
Bernhard Gratz explains: "We coordinate closely with the emergency services, the provincial police department, the event organizer and the municipality. Official inspections of the venues are also part of this and we will have a task force on site to ensure the best possible security and to be able to react quickly." In conclusion, Gratz says: "Fans, athletes and helpers should experience a safe and carefree ski festival."