The local council of Balderschwang is considering to take over the management of the local ski resort from a private owner. Balderschwang has the highest snowfall of all Germany with an average of 698cm during the last 10 years. Negotiations are based on a feasibility study and company evaluation conducted by Montenius Consult.

To ensure the continued existence of the enterprise, the operators of the Wurmseil Cable Railways intend to realize several modernisations, expansions and amendments. Most of the measures affect parts of the nature protection area Oberharz (NSG). As the Wurmberg with its winter sports offers and the all-season cable car service is considered by the council of Goslar to be of major importance for the tourism profile of the Harz, a clearing procedure for the NSG has been initiated. Within this clearing procedure, Christoph Schrahe was commissioned to proof the economic sustainability of the Wurmseil Cable Car project. In order to weigh up the interests of nature protection against common welfare, the economic effects on business environment of the enterprise had to be evaluated and shown as well.    

To complete the documents needed for an application for funding in the frame of the project Master Plan Wintersport-Arena Sauerland, Christoph Schrahe delivered a business calculation taking into account the planned investments in a new snowmaking system and the associated operational costs. The new construction had become necessary because the existing snowmaking system was under-dimensioned and could not be further extended due to construction conditions.  

Development of possible offers during wintertime (alpine skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, tubing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, snow play area etc.) for the Panorama-Park Sauerland, a theme park on the ridge of the Rothaargebirge currently opened in summer only. The aim was to extend the park’s season. In the first stage the snowmaking potential was evaluated with the aid of SnowPlan. Moreover, a break-even-analysis taking into account the respective investments, operational and financing costs has been performed. The study also included recommendations concerning pricing, the services to be offered and a draft version of a marketing concept. As a result the feasibility was judged critically as the operators of the Panorama Park lacked specific know-how in the winter sports business. 

A feasibility study for an indoor ski slope in the Harz Mountains: The project included a detailed survey among existing indoor ski facilities and a market and competition analysis in the area surrounding the potential location. Visitor forecasts for different scenarios were carried out and served as a basis for a projection of operational costs and possible revenues. The project turned out to be not feasible. Alternative strategies for developing winter sports tourism at Hahnenklee were proposed.

The management of Homberg-Ziegenhelle Ski Area Ltd. realized that it had to invest in quality improvement in order to increase the area's attractiveness to skiers. However, it was not possible to raise the necessary funds from the company's own resources. SnowPlan outlined different options of capital acquisition as well as chances and risks respectively. A synopsis intended to attract potential investors and an evaluation of the company were developed. Within a short time, the company found new investors and first modernizing measures were realized in summer 2002.

The Bocksberg Cable Railways had obtained planning permission for the installation of a snowmaking system for the 1.2 km trail from the top of the Bocksberg mountain to the village of Hahnenklee. The Nature Preservation Association lodged a complaint in order to stop the development. They argued that it would not be possible to run the ski area on a sound economic basis. On the basis of a study carried out by SnowPlan it was possible to prove in court that this was not the case. The court ruled in favour of Bocksberg Cable Railways. After two months of construction, the snowmaking system went into operation in November 2001.

With approximately 250,000 visitors per year the “Summer and Winter Sports Centre Monschau-Rohren” is one of the main visitor attractions in the county of Aachen and particularly in the region Monschau/Eifel. In line with ideas about a succession plan, Christoph Schrahe worked out a development concept indicating the potential of the economic capacity of different additional offers and giving advice about the future positioning of the leisure centre. 

Planning of a snowmaking system for the Postwiesen ski area Winterberg-Neuastenberg with SnowPlan.

Due to a special climate situation it was important to determine the capacity of the snowmaking system exactly. Furthermore, the snowmaking coverage was aligned with the existing lift capacity which reduced the necessary investments considerably.

Taking economic and regional aspects into account, it was proved that the project was economically viable. Afterwards the Postwiesen ski area successfully applied for government subsidies.

The installation of the snowmaking system in combination with a new electronic ticket system and a new grooming machine (total investment 1.8 million Euros) brought tremendous results: Whereas the 10-year average of operating days had decreased from 71 (1979-1988) to 32 days (1989-1998) before the installation, it increased to more than 90 days afterwards. Average daily visits increased from 250 to 625 and the turnover was increased by 800%.