Verbier Closes Part of Ski Area as Ski Numbers Fall Due to Covid-19
26th February 2021
Last modified on May 13th, 2021
The Bruson area of the Swiss resort is to shut on Sunday March 7th for the rest of the winter. ‘The season has been very complicated’ said the lift company, Televerbier.
Bruson is part of the huge 4-Vallees ski area and sits across the valley from Verbier ski area.
It is connected by a recently-installed state-of-the-art gondola.
It has a handful of lifts and remains a favourite area for locals on a powder day with fabulous tree skiing and touring possibilities.
It is a place to head to in order to escape the crowds.
Only this season there are less crowds in Verbier and the rest of the 4-Vallees.
“The health crisis has a negative impact on the number of visitors to our ski area,” said the CEO of Televerbier, Laurent Vaucher, in a statement.
“In fact, in comparison with previous seasons, the drop is significant due to the notable absence of international customers.
“In addition, the closure of catering outlets has serious consequences for our society.
“In view of the above, we need to take some cost-saving measure.”
The area was due to remain open until April 5th.
“This decision was not an easy one. However, this is an exceptional measure for an exceptional situation,” added Laurent Vaucher.
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Televerbier said it will continue to fund its long-term investment programme in lifts and snow-making.
There has been mixed reaction to the decision with accusations of Televerbier putting profit before people.
“Scandalous! Is that how you thank loyal customers who have paid for the annual subscription?” said one comment on Facebook.
“There have been many profitable years that could have covered this season.”
Others have praised the resort and the lift company for how is has handed the pandemic.
“Good decision, well done for the work already done to keep the season going,” said another comment.
Some question whether there will be refunds on lifts passes.
Others point out that this will mean more crowds on the open slopes which may impact on social distancing.
The resort says its Covid-19 protective measures have worked well – the wearing of a mask, keeping a distance of 1.5 m and the limiting the numbers in enclosed areas including lifts.
Televerbier said “the deployment of these protection measures generates substantial extraordinary costs in terms of human resources, logistics and materials.”
