Bergbahnen Graubunden - Successful 2021/22 Winter Season

Winter 2021/22 has the potential to be the best season in the last 10 years. The development of the number of guests, +15.1% compared to the 5-year average and +12.6% compared to the 10-year average, as well as transport sales, +22% compared to the long-term averages, as of the end of March 2022 are very pleasing. The trend towards a very good winter season 2021/22 continues. 

General

• The monitor of the industry organization Bergbahnen Graubünden (BBGR) includes 23 mountain railway companies, which generate 90% of Graubünden's transport turnover.

March

• The first entries and the number of guests as well as the transport turnover of the Bündner Bergbahnen developed above average in March 2022. This is mainly due to the perfect winter sports weather and the excellent snow sports conditions. Looking at March of the last 15 years, March 2022 ranks 4th.
• The development of the number of guests in March showed a very pleasing performance compared to the long-term averages (5 years: +35.6%; 10 years: +20.7%). Compared to the previous year, the regions with an international clientele and a stronger focus on overnight guests again show a significant increase (Upper Engadine: +56%; Davos Klosters: +49.3%).
• Transport turnover in March increased by 32.6% compared to the previous year and by 39.4% (5 years) and 25.1% (10 years) compared to the long-term averages. 
• The above-average development compared to the previous year and the below-average development compared to the long-term averages in the Lower Engadine is primarily due to the situation of the Samnaun cable cars. The Austrian Covid policy and its effects on cross-border cooperation with Ischgl (no ski operations in winter 2020/21, 2G, 3G, FFP etc.) have slowed down development in Samnaun. The performance is positive, but not to the same extent as the other Graubünden mountain railway companies.

Cumulative development winter season 2021/22

• The cumulative development of first entries or guests since the beginning of the winter season shows an increase of 26.9% compared to the previous year, 15.1% compared to the 5-year average and 12.6% compared to the 10-year average. This very positive development underlines that snow sports on the mountain are still very popular.
• The cumulative development of transport sales as of March 31, 2022 shows an increase of 30.3% compared to the previous year and around 22% compared to the long-term averages (5 years: 22.6%; 10 years: 22.4%). As of March 31, the transport turnover of the Bündner Bergbahnen is around 10% higher than the last Covid-free winter season 2018/19 and is the highest in the past 10 years.
• Winter 2021/22 is very likely to be the best season in the last 10 years. Reasons for this are:
• best winter sports conditions (snow, weather);
• few lost days due to wind/storm and snowfall/avalanches;
• the Swiss Covid policy and, as a result, strong domestic demand and the increasing return of guests from the EU area;
• the willingness to spend and the pent-up demand of the guests.
• The reason why the Surselva region is the only region with a better performance for the cumulative values ​​for the 10-year average than for the 5-year average is due to the Andermatt-Sedrun ski area connection, the expansion of the Disentis ski area and the increase in the number of beds in Disentis.