No Japow: Is Japan losing its powder snow?
A Japanese study dramatically highlights the impact of climate change on winter sports: If global average temperatures rise by four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, only seven out of 349 ski resorts in Japan are expected to operate entirely on natural snow. According to researchers, merely 26 additional resorts would still be able to open at least parts of their slopes.
Czech Republic: Ski resort upgrades
New cable car, new slopes, new identity: The Czech ski resort of Špindlerův Mlýn is connecting its Medvědín and Svatý Petr areas directly for the first time. Initially, the new link will only be accessible in one direction – the full bidirectional connection will follow in 2027. Additional innovations are also being introduced.
When do snowmakers actually run?
For the first time, TechnoAlpin evaluated anonymized operational data from 13,129 snowmakers across 112 Austrian ski resorts. The result: during the 2025/26 winter season, the systems were in operation for an average of 169 hours. Forty percent of the total snow produced was generated in just six days during November – the brief window in which the base snow layer for the season was established.
Experience the Urban Cable Car Virtually
The planned cable car for the Federal Horticultural Show in Wuppertal (Germany) can now be experienced by the public through a VR headset simulation. At the same time, expert assessments and planning for the urban cable car system are continuing. Initial details about the system are now available to the public.
Petřín funicular in Prague modernized
Since its opening in 1891, the Petřín funicular in the Czech capital of Prague has been modernized several times, and now the latest overhaul is complete as well. The main focus was on two new carriages from CWA – designed by designer Anna Marešová.
Lisbon wants a new funicular
Following the fatal accident with 16 casualties, the Glória funicular in Portugal's capital, Lisbon, came to a standstill. Now a complete rebuild is planned - and according to media reports, the reopening date has already been set.





