Šumavský Špičák will build a new restaurant and accommodation in 2020

Železná Ruda - The Šumava skiing area Ski&Bike Špičák aims to build a new self-service restaurant in the alpine style for tens of millions of crowns. The multifunctional building will feature a sun terrace, ski and bike rental, service, storage, administrative facilities for the area, two floors for accommodation with around 17 apartments, and an underground garage. They will apply for a building permit at the turn of the year or in the spring of next year. This was stated to ČTK by director Vladimír Kasík. The restaurant for 250 guests will be located right at the entrance to the cable car.

“We would like to carry out the demolition work of the old building sometime in the fall of next year and start construction in 2020, finishing it in the same year,” Kasík said. Original estimates of construction costs years ago were around 50 million crowns. “Perhaps we are talking about a much larger amount. But I don't know; it hasn't been calculated yet. The project is currently being made, and only then can prices be calculated,” Kasík stated.

According to the area spokesman Karel Samec, the procedures related to building permits in the Czech Republic are among the most complicated processes, and the Czech Republic ranks among the worst countries in this regard. According to the World Bank, this is the biggest brake on the Czech economy, as the process of obtaining all the necessary permits for an average house takes about ten years, he said. After addressing the comments of the Šumava Protected Landscape Area Administration regarding the appearance of the building, mainly the roof, a year-long approval process for changes to the city’s zoning plan and other approval procedures, the project design could begin. Kasík appreciated the currently good cooperation with the Protected Landscape Area Administration.

Another planned investment, also costing tens of millions of crowns, will be the construction of a retention reservoir as a water supply for the snowmaking system. The area could then cover all five slopes except for Šance during a single frost period, which typically lasts five to seven days. “Work is still ongoing, but it's not possible to discuss any dates or financial costs yet,” said Kasík.

Last winter, 116,000 people visited Špičák and around 40,000 hikers and bikers came in the summer, making it the second most successful season.