The legendary 1974 World Ski Championships slope on St. Moritz's local mountain, Corviglia, is being restored to its natural state. Part of what was once a symbol of sporting excellence is now being transformed into a piece of pristine Alpine landscape - grasses, flowers and Alpine habitats are returning. A place full of history is thus becoming a pristine space for nature and diversity.
For the 1974 Alpine World Ski Championships in St. Moritz, the slopes were adapted to the requirements of international racing at great expense. Rocks, ditches and bumps were smoothed out to create smooth transitions. The gradient was also altered in some places to defuse dangerous passages or make the course more exciting. Finally, reinforcements and safety features ensured that the route remained stable and weatherproof. As early as the 1970s, competition slopes were created that set the standard for alpine skiing at the highest level with the help of machines and technical precision.
The renaturation of the former 1974 World Cup slope is the central ecological replacement measure for the construction of the Nair Pitschen natural reservoir. As around 50,000 m² of vegetation was permanently converted into water by the lake, the ecological enhancement of the slope areas will create an equivalent compensation. The aim is to restore near-natural, species-rich alpine meadows through targeted recultivation of the soil and the establishment of site-appropriate vegetation. This creates valuable habitats for flora and fauna, which contribute to the promotion of biodiversity and assume a stable ecological function in the long term. The measure thus not only serves to integrate the landscape, but also fulfills the requirements of professional compensation in terms of nature and landscape conservation. The combination of this modern infrastructure project and targeted ecological enhancement shows how the use and enhancement of Alpine landscapes can be reconciled.
The renaturation of the historic slope aims to restore the alpine landscape in its natural diversity. Targeted recultivation of the soil creates original alpine meadows. These provide a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. The plants are carefully removed from the immediate surroundings and transferred to the areas. This ensures that the vegetation adapts to the site in the best possible way and blends harmoniously into the existing landscape. This ecological enhancement promotes biodiversity, stabilizes natural cycles in the long term and strengthens the resilience of the ecosystem.
This project impressively demonstrates how alpine landscapes can be used responsibly.
