Successful February For Swiss Lift Co's

While the whole winter season in the mountain areas is a bit below the results of the last few years, February saw an increase in the number of guests. This and more is shown in the monthly evaluation of the Swiss cable cars’ winter season monitoring.

The evaluations for the month of February show that the winter season as a whole is slightly below the result of 2021/22. The total number of guests between November 2022 and February 2023 throughout Switzerland was 9% lower than in the same period a year ago. Sales fell by 7% in the same period. However, the differences between the regions are considerable. The strong winter regions such as Valais and Graubünden are still doing well with declines of between 3 and 4% in the number of guests. While Ticino was fortunately able to record an increase of 136%, the decline in guests in Arc jurassien was very high at 75%. (see Fig.1).

Increase in guests compared to February 2022

The balance for the month of February is particularly positive compared to February of the previous year. Looking at February alone, the total number of guests in the Swiss snow sports areas in February 2023 was 4% higher than in the same period of the previous year (see Fig. 2). In Valais, the increase was even 8%, in Central Switzerland it was 5% and in Graubünden and the Bernese Oberland 4%. Only in the Vaud and Friborg Alps, in Ticino and in the Arc jurassien is the result below that of last February. “These figures clearly show that the cable cars in Switzerland can offer guests a very attractive offer despite the scarce snow situation. This is only possible thanks to good technical snowmaking," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Seilbahnen Schweiz.

Valais and Graubünden with a positive 5-year balance

Longer-term trends can be seen by looking at the 5-year average. The Swiss mountain railways have developed very well in the Corona years and gained market share. This trend could be maintained, but the number of guests remained very stable (-1%), while turnover in passenger transport increased by 7% (see Fig. 3). In Valais and in Graubünden, the cable car companies can look forward to an increase in guests of 10% and 3% respectively compared to the average of the last five years. Regions with predominantly smaller and lower altitude cable car operations such as eastern Switzerland, Ticino or the Arc jurassien are between 15% and 69% below the 5-year average for day visitors. "Cable car companies in lower-altitude regions are aware of the challenges and are working on sustainable solutions for year-round operation," analyzes Stoffel. "But now we're hoping for a good portion of snow and a successful final part of the winter season," concludes the Director of SBS.