Dangerous, imposing

Glocknerstraße freed from huge masses of snow

Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open again!

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

70 years old, but climate-friendly! Oldie milling machines clear masses of snow from the high Alpine road. While one environmental project is celebrated, another is criticized.

The journey on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road feels like a winter wonderland. It goes to the "breakthrough on the Großglockner". On Friday, the "System Wallack" rotating plows from the Salzburg and Carinthian sides battled their way through the last section of the snow-covered Alpine road - until they finally came face to face. "The summer season starts. The road will be open again on Saturday!" says a jubilant Johannes Hörl, head of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Grohag)

The work, which was not without danger, took four weeks. "The fresh snow made clearing difficult," says snow clearing manager Sebastian Jury. "There is now an acute risk of avalanches. We had to carry out some blasting." But everything turned out well in the end! Thanks are also due to the mountain rescuers and emergency services. "They monitored the snow conditions at all times. We ourselves are also equipped with avalanche warning devices," continues the manager.

Environmentally friendly pilot project
Grohag is proud of its pilot project: "For the first time, the 70-year-old tiller was powered by climate-friendly diesel substitute made from vegetable oils - and it worked perfectly!" says the Grohag boss happily. The nature park has been focusing on sustainability for years. "We have set up e-filling stations and there are various discounts for zero-emission vehicles on the crossing," says Heiligenblut's mayor Martin Lackner.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open to traffic again.

(Bild: Peter Maier)

The snow-covered Grossglockner High Alpine Road has been cleared of snow.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Old machines are being used to clear the snow. They are powered by bio-diesel.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Only a few meters to go! Shortly before the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was cleared.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Tourism representatives and mayors from Salzburg and Carinthia were present.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Also present at the spectacle: Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of Österreich Werbung.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

The rotary plows "System Wallack"

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Thanks to the Grohag employees.

(Bild: Elisa Aschbacher)

Criticism of the tourist project
However, the representatives were heavily criticized for one project. Grohag announced special prices for the pass road during the tunnel construction on the A10. The ticket costs 33 instead of 43 euros. Scientists fear a "traffic avalanche in the highest protected area in the Alps."

We don't want to attract more guests, we just want to guarantee vacationers an additional offer.

Johannes Hörl, Grohag-Chef

The initiators don't understand the uproar: "The offer applies to guests from Carinthia, East Tyrol and Salzburg - only for arrival or departure. Proof of booking must also be provided. This project has been completely misunderstood," counters Hörl. There is a long way from a traffic jam. "We only expect 20 more vehicles a day and want to guarantee guests a breathtaking journey." In recent years, the company has worked hard to reduce the number of vehicles. "We are strongly committed to environmental protection, which is why there are also discounts for electric vehicles and the like."

Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, Head of Kärnten Werbung, agrees: "We want to give our holidaymakers a highlight on their trip. It's not a reduction for everyone, and that was never the intention. What's more, the offer is not valid in July and August!"