Excellent Start To The Season For Swiss Lift Co’s
The Swiss lift co' industry has had a very good start to the 2024/25 winter. Compared to the equally good 2023/24 winter, the season is starting with an increase of 18%. Compared to the five-year average, there are even 31% more guests. The decisive factor for the good start is the snowfall down to low altitudes in November and before Christmas. This has awakened the desire for snow sports and holidays in the Alpine regions. Thanks to the best weather and excellent piste conditions between Christmas and New Year, a large number of day visitors were also recorded.
For the season monitoring, the Swiss Cable Car Industry Association (SBS) evaluates the number of guests (first-time entries) of over 120 members from all over Switzerland. The figures now available allow an analysis of the start of the winter season. In mid-November, heavy snow fell even at low altitudes, which led to a large surge in bookings. Shortly before Christmas, a lot of snow fell again as far as the cities in the Mittelland, which again triggered short-term bookings. The excellent winter weather in the mountains after Christmas and the excellent snow and piste conditions also attracted day tourists to the ski areas. The meteorological conditions were therefore perfect. At a national level, 18% more guests traveled on the cable cars than at the start of the 2023/24 season.
Regional differences
A look at the regions shows that all regions had a better start to the season than in 2023/24. Nevertheless, there are clear regional differences. The lower-lying regions have benefited above average at the start of this winter thanks to the very good snow conditions, which is particularly evident in central and eastern Switzerland. The large regions of Valais and Graubünden recorded 11% and 8% more guests than last year, respectively, followed by Ticino (+7%), while the other regions reported double-digit increases: the Bernese Oberland +22%, and the podium places go to the Vaud and Fribourg Alps (+41%), Eastern Switzerland (+38%) and Central Switzerland (+32%).
Swiss Cableways is delighted that the smaller ski areas were very well attended. "It is important that families and children in particular can be inspired to take up snow sports thanks to the small ski areas close to the large agglomerations. They can find lucrative offers here to take their first steps in the snow and have fun. These ski areas have once again proven that they can start operating quickly and safely with a lot of passion and commitment," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cableways.
The cable car industry is pleased to note that the start of winter has been successful, even compared to the 5-year average. A 31% increase in first-time entries was recorded compared to the 5-year average. The growth rates here also vary, ranging from 18% in Graubünden to 66% in Eastern Switzerland.
The industry is delighted with the successful start to the season. The temperatures at the beginning of December were ideal for producing artificial snow. In addition, enough snow fell before Christmas to offer guests a top-notch offer. This created a real winter feeling throughout Switzerland; true to the motto "Everyone goes skiing"! It shows that snow sports and winter holidays are still very popular with the Swiss population and international guests. At the same time, the industry is also aware that the currently favourable conditions can change again and that the most important periods of the season are still to come. "We will only take stock after Easter," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Cable Cars Switzerland.
