Industry News
Austria’s Jungholz Ski Area is facing permanent closure after a much-anticipated sale to German investor WMM AG collapsed at the last minute. The deal fell apart after negotiations with local landowners broke down over land use rights.
Jungholz, which filed for bankruptcy in June 2024 following a season plagued by poor snow and spiraling costs, had been the subject of intense speculation after the municipality stepped in last year to keep the lifts running. Hopes were high when WMM AG agreed to purchase the ski area for €1.7 million ($2 million), with plans to invest further and reopen for the 2025-26 season.
However, the sale was always contingent on securing “Dienstbarkeiten,” or usage rights, from approximately 20 local landowners whose properties are crucial for lift operations. Talks quickly soured when landowners rejected the proposed contract, which they said would have granted WMM AG sweeping rights to use their land year-round, with little input or protection for their interests. Efforts to revise the contract went nowhere, and WMM AG ultimately walked away from the deal before the June 30 deadline.
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With the investor withdrawing and the €1.7 million purchase price being refunded, the ski area’s insolvency administrator is now expected to begin liquidating assets—possibly via auction. The local credit protection association, KSV1870, warns that permanent closure is now likely, a blow to the region’s tourism and economy.
Landowners insist that they remain open to supporting ski operations and sustainable development, provided that future negotiations are conducted transparently and respectfully. “We want to see Jungholz thrive, but not at the expense of our rights or the environment,” one landowner said.
Mayor Karina Konrad acknowledged the failed contract and expressed hope that a new investor might still be found, but time is running out. Unless a last-minute rescue emerges, Jungholz could soon become the latest casualty in a challenging era for small ski resorts across the Alps.
Jungholz is an Alpine village and ski area located in Tyrol, Austria, though it can only be accessed via Bavaria, Germany, due to its status as a Tirolean exclave. Nestled in the Allgäu Alps, this picturesque town offers a family-friendly ski resort with six miles (10 kilometers) of easy and intermediate slopes, modern lifts, and dedicated children’s facilities like the “N’Ice Bear Kinderland.” Jungholz is also known for its tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by nature and free from through traffic, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
WMM AG, headquartered in Mindelheim, Germany, is a diversified company operating across modular construction, real estate, and hospitality industries. Known for its innovative approach, WMM AG manages over 100 hotels, offering affordable, well-designed accommodations with features such as contactless check-in and self-sufficient facilities.
