In the mountain bike scene, the Wiriehorn is known as the venue for many Donwhill Swiss Championships. Others know the ski resort in the Diemtigtal valley in Bern because its struggle for survival has been extensively documented on Swiss television. At 1868 meters, the highest point that can be reached by cable car, winter operations do not have much of a future.
"We have recognized the signs of the times," explains Reto Gertsch, Managing Director of Wiriehornbahnen. Although the calculation does not yet add up without winter operations, the aim is to get there. "We are only investing in summer activities," he says. There is no way back.
For a long time, Bikepark Wiriehorn was the only attraction for mountain bikers in the Bernese Oberland. The fact that other offers are now being created in the region under the Bikepark Thunersee label obviously suits Reto Gertsch well. "Only together will we manage to attract guests from all over Europe and keep them in the region for a week," he says, setting out the direction of travel.

Ready for a future without snow

Despite this, Bikepark Wiriehorn will remain operationally independent and wants to work together with Bikepark Thunersee, particularly in terms of communication and cooperation with service partners. This is a network of facilities at various locations on Lake Thun. Jerôme Hunziker is responsible for its marketing. He is delighted with the new partnership: "The Wiriehorn has an infrastructure with huge potential. The parking lot in the valley, the chairlift with very large capacities and a large mountain restaurant are very promising. The terrain and the low location also suggest that the Wiriehorn has a good chance of being at the forefront of bike parks in Switzerland in the future."
In view of the competition, Hunziker is quite full of words. The fact is that the Wiriehorn with its full-gas course enjoys a legendary reputation in the downhill community. However, Reto Gertsch is aware that growth requires offers for less ambitious and speed-oriented bikers. That's why there will be a kids' trail with a conveyor belt, a new pump track and a skills course in the parking lot as early as summer 2020.
According to Reto Gertsch, mountain biking plays a key role in the future of Wiriehornbahnen. "If we don't get any more snow, we'll have a year-round bike park. What we need now are low-threshold offers," he is convinced, "which is why we will be building more easy routes over the next few years to promote access for the masses." He then adds: "Simple routes can be built in such a way that they also offer a lot of fun for very good riders."