Schilthornbahn AG: First Annual Balance Sheet 2021
Once again the Schilthornbahn AG can look back on a mixed year. The start of 2021 was cautious due to the closed restaurants. Thanks to a strong autumn and the start of the 2021/22 winter season, the number of passengers on the cable car is still 1.2 percent above the previous year. The Allmendhubelbahn and the Allmendhubel restaurant did even better. The gastronomy on the Schilthorn is again clearly in the red. The start of the preparatory work for the large-scale SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project dominates the outlook for the year 2022.
As in the previous year, a look back at the 2021 financial year shows a restrained picture: Although the number of visitors increased significantly in summer and especially towards the end of the year, the gastronomy lockdown in the winter months could not be compensated for. Nevertheless, the number of guests is 1.2 percent above the previous year. But still 48 percent below the five-year average. Different balance sheets have to be drawn for the individual business areas:
Cable car: The Schilthorn – Piz Gloria experience is closely linked to a visit to the 360° restaurant, which is why the five-month closure of the restaurants had a negative impact on the number of trips. After a rainy July, demand skyrocketed. In addition to Swiss guests, international guests from the USA and the Arab world were again welcomed. In autumn, individual Asian groups also visited the Schilthorn.
Funicular Mürren-Allmendhubel: The numbers on the funicular have increased by 13 percent, but overall are also below the five-year average. This is due to the low frequency of minus 16 percent in winter. In general, only two-thirds of closed facilities were allowed to be used and were moreover avoided, while chair lifts and ski lifts were preferred.
Gastronomy: In 2021, the gastronomy businesses suffered greatly from the closure between Christmas 2020 and the end of May 2021. Only take-away offers were possible. In the revolving restaurant, revenue fell by 29 percent. This is in comparison to the already weak previous year. Thanks to an attractive takeaway on the sun terrace and an additional outlet in the ski area, the Bistro Birg was able to maintain its income and increase it by four percent compared to the previous year. The Panorama Restaurant Allmendhubel, which was leased until the end of April, was run by the Schilthornbahn under the direction of Ursula Zwald for the first time from June and achieved the second-best summer result since records began.
Hotels: The Hotel Alpenruh in Mürren achieved an increase of six percent in accommodation and gastronomy in equal parts. This growth is particularly pleasing as the hotel also suffered from the catering lockdown. The Hotel Blumental was largely run as a subsidiary of the Hotel Alpenruh and was opened when there was great demand, and was able to achieve a balanced annual result overall.
Merchandising and shops: The previous year's result was maintained in this business area. Although it also suffered from the absence of international guests and the catering lockdown in winter, the good summer frequencies also led to positive sales figures overall. However, sales are still 45 percent below the level before the pandemic.
Positive start to the 2021/22 winter season
While the frequency of the 2020/21 winter season increased by 6 percent thanks to exceptionally good snow conditions and continuous operation of all facilities, the start of the 2021/22 winter season was very successful. The season could already start on November 6, 2021. In November, the Riggli chairlift was in operation every weekend and during the week it was partly open to training groups and ski clubs. This has already resulted in 40,000 skier visits, which means 46 percent more winter sports enthusiasts visited the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area than in the previous year. It was the best start to the season in 15 years.
Dealing proactively with COVID-19
The company has been trying to deal with the situation proactively since the beginning of the pandemic. Easy access to vaccination and booster vaccination as well as mandatory weekly pool saliva tests help ensure seamless operations. By the end of 2021, 86 percent of employees were fully vaccinated.
Outlook 2021: General Assembly and other news
- The general meeting of the Schilthornbahn AG will take place on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 3 p.m. in the multi-purpose hall of the Alpine Sports Center Mürren. According to information from the Federal Tax Administration, the taxable value of Schilthornbahn shares for the 2021 tax year is CHF 1,420 (previous year: CHF 1,600).
- The large-scale SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project received all the necessary permits from the authorities in autumn 2021. The Schilthornbahn will provide information on the details of the project in February 2022. One of the first preparatory works is the water supply for the Birg and Schilthorn. In a first stage, water pipes will be laid from the Schiltalp to Birg and a new water reservoir will be built next to the station. In the second stage in 2023, the aqueduct will be pulled from Birg to Schilthorn.
- For the planned future after the new construction of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX, two development regulations are to outline and define the possibilities for tourist use in the vicinity of the Schilthorn, Birg and Allmendhubel stations. In a further development regulation, the cable car corridors for all winter sports facilities are to be planned and defined at an early stage.
- The sun terrace at the Panorama Restaurant Allmendhubel will be completely renovated and expanded in spring 2022. The offer is to be supplemented by an outdoor station.
