Oberstdorf - Kleinwalsertal Bergbahnen: First Analysis Of Season

OBERSTDORF - KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNE can look back on a challenging winter. Although they were able to open on time thanks to technically manufactured snow, the number of holidaymakers fell by around eight percent overall. Above all, the decline in day visitors was clearly noticeable for the mountain railway association.

"A difficult winter lies behind us...", summarizes Dr. Andreas Gapp, CEO ofOBERSTDORF - KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNE, summing up the past winter season in a nutshell. The winter of 2022/23 started as planned on December 8, 2022, but with noticeably fewer day visitors than expected. "I would like to emphasize that the slope conditions - contrary to the many reports to the contrary - were very good and sufficient from the start of the season. However, the good conditions were only possible thanks to the use of machine snow, which shows how important this is for us. But not only for us. Because the punctual start of the season creates planning security. For us, but also for many other companies in the 2-country region. Because we are only part of the value chain. Next come hotels, hospitality, ski schools or sports shops,

Good number of overnight stays

The 2-country region of Oberstdorf and Kleinwalsertal continues to be popular with holidaymakers. Especially during the Christmas, carnival and Dutch crocus holidays, the companies were very busy. However, there was a noticeable drop in day guests from mid-March and especially throughout the season: "We could observe that the guests were very unsettled because of the inflation and also because of the media reports on the subject of 'no snow'," explains Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Krieg, also a board member at OBERSTDORF - KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN. As a result, the day guest still liked to ski, but unfortunately not as often as desired.

High guest satisfaction

The feedback from the skiers who have spent their holidays with us is very positive and shows that the holidaymakers were more than satisfied, even surprised, with the offer of the OBERSTDORF • KLEINWALSERTAL BERGBAHNEN in 2022/23: "For us, this is a very good sign and shows that the slope quality was significantly better than expected. Our guests perceived the experiences and the offer in our ski rooms as very positive. This shows that we are on the right track with our quality offensive and the associated investments and are therefore absolutely competitive," says Henrik Volpert, the third board member of the mountain railway association.

Board member Gapp takes stock

“In total, we counted eight percent fewer guests in the past winter season than in the previous season. Above all, the decline in day visitors was noticeable for our mountain railway company. Overall, the 2022/23 winter season was very challenging for all of us. However, situations like these spur us on and motivate us to do our best at all times. For this reason, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our employees,” concludes CEO Andreas Gapp. All three board members of the Bergbahnen are looking positively to the future and to the coming, hopefully good, summer season.