By October 2026, almost two thousand people had signed a petition against a planned cross-country skiing area near Rejvíz in the Jeseníky mountains.
A petition against a planned cross-country skiing area near Rejvíz in the Jeseníky mountains had almost two thousand signatures, according to a report of 21 October 2026. Its authors fear the impact on the surrounding nature and on the historic character of the mountain settlement, and they demand that the project with artificial snowmaking be cancelled. They also ask that the town of Zlaté Hory not provide land.[1]
The planned area
The winter area with trails is to be built by November 2028 by the Jeseníky-Sdružení cestovního ruchu tourism association. It estimates the cost at roughly 12 million crowns, of which nine million is to be covered by a subsidy from the Olomouc Region, approved by the regional assembly in September. According to the association, it would be the first specialised centre of this kind in the Jeseníky. Rejvíz lies at an altitude of roughly 780 metres above sea level, and the association chose it for its stable snow conditions. It intends to use the subsidy for design, surveying, earthwork and construction, water and electricity lines, mobile lighting, snowmaking equipment, a generator and a snow vehicle.[1]
Arguments of both sides
Rejvíz is part of the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area, its historic part is a heritage conservation zone, and the national nature reserve of the same name with a peat bog lies nearby. The authors of the petition state that traditional cross-country skiing on natural snow belongs to Rejvíz, but they reject its conversion into an intensively used sports area dependent on artificial snow, evening lighting and other technical infrastructure.[1]
The association's management rejected claims that the project involves a large sports arena, stands, a car park or water withdrawal from the Mechová jezírka pools. According to it, the plan is meant to improve conditions for cross-country skiing, which has long been practised in the locality, by means of limited snowmaking and seasonal lighting. The project must go through a permitting process; if Rejvíz proves unsuitable, the association is prepared to look for another site in the Jeseníky. The association's director, Tomáš Rak, said the aim is a sustainable opportunity for cross-country skiing, support for local entrepreneurs and a better distribution of winter visitors across the region.[1]
Related articles: Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area, Olomouc Region, Rejvíz
Chronology
- — Nearly two thousand people have signed a petition against a planned cross-country skiing area near Rejvíz in the Jeseníky, objecting to artificial snowmaking in a protected landscape. iROZHLAS Hanácká Drbna
Sources
- Hanácká Drbna — 21 October 2026