Is skiing a luxury for the rich? The cable car boss objects: “A family can live on 3,000 francs a week.”

class = “sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

Mr. Stoffel, the snow is disappearing more and more often, maintenance is becoming more expensive, and even local guests are avoiding you. Things are not looking good at the ski areas.
Berno Stoffel: If you compare it to 20 years ago, we have fewer guests. But we also need to see this, we have been stable for 10 years. The Swiss remain loyal to skiing. A good sign is that we can get more kids out on the ski slopes again. The snow sports initiative where we reintroduced and organized ski camps was very successful: more than 17,000 children returned to ski camp in 2022.

Generation change is one thing, prices are another: According to a market analysis, high prices are deterring many young people. A one-week ski holiday for a family of four costs approximately 4,760 francs. Is skiing the new golf?
This comparison is incorrect. Those who book early usually get good discounts. According to our season balance, the average daily entrance fee to the ski area is 35.80 francs. All inclusive, a family of four can get by on 3,000 francs.

If you are flexible, you can save money. However, those who book on short notice often pay extra thanks to dynamic prices. Own goal?
The results are different. Dynamic prices have become established especially in large ski areas. Some regions managed to soften demand somewhat. Elsewhere, the differences between the cheapest and highest prices were huge. In Andermatt, for example, the cheapest tickets for the railways were a losing proposition, while there were major complaints from guests about the highest prices. Customers now know and accept the system. It’s clear for you: the earlier you book, the more you save.

Is it possible for a ski area to offer things today that it could not offer 20 years ago?
The overall experience has become much more substantial and better. In the past you only needed good slopes; customers wanted to “opt out” of their subscriptions if possible. Nowadays, guests want perfectly prepared ski slopes from the first day to the last day. At the same time, the range of services offered has become much wider: children’s and snow parks have been significantly expanded and mountain restaurants have been virtually renovated. For example, 19-rated chef Didier de Courten is currently head of gastronomy at the Grimentz-Zinal mountain railway. It was unthinkable 20 years ago!

What’s bothering you the most right now?
Climate change is causing us problems and it cannot be explained. We must react very quickly to large temperature fluctuations, be extremely well organized in the short term and at the same time position ourselves for the long term: ski areas without snow will have a difficult time. But many are already well positioned.

You seem very relaxed about the situation as I listen to you. So, no worries?
We have difficulties, but we look to the future with confidence. Swiss mountain railways have proven countless times that they can “create crises”: currency crises, Corona crisis, electricity crisis, geopolitical crises. We are constantly adapting to new conditions. And: Skiing is a popular sport and part of Swiss culture. It will stay this way.

Source :Blick