| Abstrakt: |
The consequences of climate change, demographic processes, and competition between tourist destinations are serious threats to the profitability of ski resorts and the sustainable development of many towns and regions. This article aims to examine the state of infrastructure development for downhill skiing in Poland, and to determine contemporary directions for the development of ski resorts from the point of view of ensuring the achievement of sustainable development goals. The research methods included an inventory of ski infrastructure, field observation, as well as analysis of ski resorts' websites and social media profiles. In the 2019/2020 winter season, there were 769 ski lifts in Poland, including 119 aerial lifts, with a total length of 302.9 km and a transport capacity of 625,500 people per hour; there were also 826 ski runs with a total length of 445.7 km. Ski resorts' actions in the context of sustainable development included eliminating the negative environmental effects of ski infrastructure, for example, by improving the quality and technology of ski lift equipment and snowmaking systems; maintaining the profitability of ski resorts while preserving an appropriate thickness of snow cover; increasing their financial effectiveness by creating new products and tourist attractions for the summer season; and meeting the expectations of tourists so as to ensure their satisfaction with their stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
