Adelboden Engstligenalp - Mixed End To A Difficult Season
On May 2, 2021, the Engstligenalp ended its season as the last winter sports area in the Bernese Oberland. With lots of sunshine and the best snow conditions, spring skiing ensured a mixed end to a challenging winter season. The gastro lockdown in particular hit the largest plateau in Switzerland hard.
The three-week seasonal break in Engstligenalp in January 2021 has shown that the 2020/21 winter season is anything but easy for the winter sports area. The conclusion that the season will end soon on May 2nd is mixed: "We can conclude this season as plus minus as we expected at the beginning of winter, but it was a real challenge," explains Dominik Honegger, Managing Director of Bergbahnen Engstligenalp AG. «Since we generate more than half of our sales with the catering trade, the gastro lockdown was very drastic for us. Although the high occupancy of the hotels on the plateau was very gratifying, it was only a drop in the bucket.
Short stay despite take-away
In combination with the reduction in the utilization of the gondolas to two thirds of the actual capacity, the Engstligenalp carried around 22% fewer guests in this winter season compared to the average for the last five years. At the ski lifts it was even 40% less. The length of time guests spend on the plateau has also fallen sharply due to the lack of refreshments and refreshments. "Although the weather and snow conditions offered the potential for an extremely successful season, our guests spent less time with us despite the take-away offer," says Dominik Honegger. "Since the protective measures prevented stopping and warming up in our mountain hotel, many guests took food with them or left the Engstligenalp early."
Individual sports not only boomed in spring
Since the Engstligenalp traditionally does not end the winter season until the beginning of May, the plateau was able to benefit from spring skiing. The mountain hotel was not only well booked during the holidays and on the Easter weekend, but also in April thanks to the still good snow sports conditions and the beautiful spring weather. "Our focus on individual sports has certainly paid off in this difficult season," said Dominik Honegger. “We were able to welcome even more ski tourers than usual, and winter and snowshoeing also experienced a boom. Although we are of course happy about this, we could not earn much from these individual sports, as these guests were not able to come and stay with us. " Looking back, the temporary interruption of the winter season in January was the right decision:
Positive view of the summer season
The ongoing gastro lockdown would hit the adventure alp hard even in summer, because the problem remains the same. Because even in the warmer months, the weather is not always nice and the Engstligenalp is dependent on being able to cater for its guests indoors. Nevertheless, Dominik Honegger is mostly positive about the coming season: “The last year has shown that the Swiss have had enough of their own four walls and this summer, too, many will be looking for the tranquility of the mountains. With regard to day guests, we are looking forward to the summer season positively, which unfortunately we cannot say in terms of events ».
It is currently unclear whether the summer highlights of the Engstligenalp, such as the alpine lift known beyond Swiss borders, or the personal visits from the children's favorite Globi, can take place. "For us, it means still to wait and remain flexible," says Dominik Honegger.
