Swiss Lift Co's - Season Aligns With 5 Year Average

Even if the 2022/23 winter season for the Swiss cable car companies cannot match the records of the past winter, the results correspond to the average of the last 5 years. On the positive side, around two-thirds of the snow sports areas have not increased their prices for ski passes this year, despite the increase in prices. This is the result of the monthly evaluation as part of the Swiss cable cars' winter season monitoring.

During the winter season monitoring, Swiss Cable Cars (SBS) in cooperation with 60 members throughout Switzerland and the regional associations collect data on the number of guests and the turnover for passenger transport in the respective snow sports areas. The current evaluations for March show that the cable car companies were not quite able to repeat the success of the last record season. In comparison to the previous year, there were 13% fewer guests in the ski areas throughout Switzerland (first entries) by the end of March. While the decline in regions with predominantly high-altitude ski areas such as Valais (-6%) or Graubünden (-9%) was manageable, the lower-lying areas were severely affected by the natural lack of snow. The Arc jurassien recorded a 76% drop in guests compared to the previous year.

Results are in the 5-year average

A long-term comparison shows that the Swiss mountain railways were able to maintain their results. The number of guests was only 2% below the 5-year average and turnover in passenger transport increased by 5%. In the Valais and Graubünden regions, which are important for winter sports, the number of guests even increased (+8 and +1% respectively). “We are now in the final sprint for the winter season. Most ski areas that are still open close around the Easter holidays, with some larger areas still operating until the end of April. The slope conditions at higher altitudes are still optimal, and the good weather forecast gives hope for a happy end to the winter season," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Seilbahnen Schweiz.

Around two thirds of the mountain railways have not increased their prices

Despite the energy crisis and high inflation, most Swiss snow sports areas have not or only slightly increased the prices for their day tickets this winter season (not including cable car companies with dynamic price models). While 62% of the mountain railways decided against a price adjustment and demand the same tariffs as last season, 18% have increased their prices by a maximum of CHF 2 per day ticket. Only 7% of the SBS members surveyed passed on the increased costs to the guests with a price adjustment of CHF 6 to 10 per day ticket. Advance sales for the next winter season have already begun in many ski areas, again with attractive prices.