“Time is ticking for Belalp…”: Now potential mountain railway savior Christian Mars speaks

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Financial difficulties in Valais: Residents of Belalp Bahnen and Grächen are in great financial difficulty. Its debts are huge and the gunpowder required for investments in facilities is lacking. A Swiss-French investor group belonging to the extremely wealthy Mars and Baelen families has a concrete interest in the takeover, primarily in Belalp Bahnen.

Christian Mars has yet to comment publicly on the rescue of the mountain railway. Now he breaks the silence in “Walliser Boten”. Belalp is “a wonderful destination with magnificent views of the Valais Mountains and the Aletsch Glacier.” But there is something wrong. “A new gondola lift is required for continuous summer-winter operation from Chiematte to Hohstock on the northern slope, where four new slopes need to be built.” Investments also need to be made in technical snowmaking.

In a newspaper interview, the CEO confirmed discussions with shareholders (municipal and cantonal) and trustees Trag Albert Bass about the takeover of the mountain railways. “We want to make a decision as quickly as possible and certainly before June 30, 2024,” Mars says. He hints that he will be looking at other ski resorts in Canada in the near future. Mars said, “The clock is ticking for Belalp…” Apparently there were ulterior motives behind this statement. In his opinion, it is clear that Belalp owes its survival solely to the understanding of the banks, society and the canton.

Mars: “I love Belalp”

According to Mars, 50 million francs will need to be invested in Belalp Bergbahnen over the next five years. Goal: To double the number of skier days while keeping ski pass prices low, including the introduction of a preferential tariff for the local population.

But there are also conditions for the takeover: Capital restructuring is required. He wants a 51 percent majority of the mountain railways immediately. “Later, we want to take over 80 percent of the shares,” Mars says. There is also a need for debt restructuring. The investor is only interested in acquiring a restructured company.

Mars also confirmed that it aims to acquire the majority of the mountain railways in Grächen, which are in debtor’s moratorium. Here, too, he makes it clear that he cannot have the “Walliser Messenger” forever. And a decision needs to be made quickly.

Local people do not need to be afraid of big investors. “We think long term. And believe me, this changes a lot,” says Mars. He calls for confidence: “I love Belalp because this is not a ski factory, it is a village among the mountains. I promise that this situation will continue from now on.”

Source :Blick