At the International Mountain Days Vienna, VAVÖ, Alpenverein, and Naturfreunde warned that climate change is drastically altering mountain sports. VAVÖ President Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger noted that heat and glacier shrinkage are increasing safety risks.
Glacier crevasse falls nearly tripled in 2026 as routes shift due to melting ice. Representatives Wolfgang Schnabl and Andreas Schieder highlighted that rockfalls and water shortages are now severely impacting alpine infrastructure and hiker accessibility.
While federal funds for path and hut maintenance rose to 15.44 million euros through 2027, Dunkel-Schwarzenberger and co-initiator Friedrich Macher seek 95 million euros over five years. This funding is critical to preserve the safety of alpine networks.