More and more children are growing up in families where skiing plays no role – and this applies not only to families with a migrant background, but also to many locals. The Winter Network aims to change this situation.
© SN/SBSSV
Like that Winter Network As we know from current market research, parents and schools are crucial in determining whether or not children find access to skiing. Franz Schenner, project developer at Netzwerk Winter, explains: "Even before the most recent youth study in SalzburgerLand, we began developing targeted programs for sixth and seventh grade students and their parents. Our goal: to offer children the opportunity to learn to ski in just three days as part of a winter sports week."
What initially began with 460 students was already being used by over 1,000 young people last winter. Thanks to the collaboration with the Salzburg Ski Instructors Association and local ski schools, several thousand children have now been inspired to take up winter sports. Due to the positive response, the successful project is now being expanded: "From now on, we are also offering this free ski course to students from Lower Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland – provided they spend their winter sports week in SalzburgerLand," Schenner continued.
Funding is being provided by committed partners such as Doppelmayr, Skidata, Raiffeisen, UNIQA, the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce, the Salzburg Cable Cars, and the Tourism Promotion Fund of the State of Salzburg. Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll (responsible for tourism) and Cable Car Chairman Dr. Erich Egger emphasize in unison: "Our goal is to inspire young people to take up skiing and, at the same time, strengthen the class spirit."
An offer that is free – but certainly not for nothing.