Costs of Skiing Rise but Numbers Expected to Remain Constant

1st January 2023

Last modified on January 10th, 2023

Some claim prices are up by around 10%. Inflation and spiralling energy costs are taking their toll, but the number of people skiing looks set to remain constant.

Switzerland

The season is well underway and first reports suggest Switzerland is seeing prices up, but with a steady and growing numbers of skiers and snowboarders.

“Foreign holiday makers are returning to Switzerland following the Covid-19 pandemic,” says a report on Swiss Info.

See here for further details.

Some ski lift companies are charging up to 15% more for passes this winter as high energy prices bite, a survey by CH Media claims.

“Overseas guests are adding to the increased numbers of local skiers who have kept resorts going over the last two winters.”

Switzerland Tourism is forecasting overnight stays to rise by 1.5% from the 2021/2022 season as resorts welcome an anticipated 18% more overseas guests.

However, the number of Swiss skiers is expected to drop 6%, according to economic forecasters.

Skiers in Zermatt will be spending 5% more for day passes compared to last winter.

Some local Swiss skiers & snowboarders are expected to cross the border to the Eurozone countries of Italy and Austria where prices are generally lower.

Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI

Italy

Prices are up in Italy.

The cost of a ski pass has gone up due to rising electricity bills to run from ski lifts.

Daily, multi-day and season passes have risen between 6% and 13%, according to news outlet SkyTG24.

Across the mountains there has been an average increase of 10%.

In Bormio, a day pass will cost €52 this year, up from €46 last season.

In Livigno it has increased from €52 to €59.

In Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley a day pass will rise from €56 to €61.

In La Thuile it will increase from €47 to €51.

For the Dolomiti Superski day pass, which grants access to 12 different resorts scattered across the Dolomites mountain range, skiers will have to fork out €74 in high season, compared to €67 last year.

Restaurants, bars and hotels have also said their prices will rise to offset gas and electricity costs.

Prices are not going up everywhere.

Monterosa, which lies on the border between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont, will also not increase the price of its €60 day pass.

For families, Livigno is offering free ski passes for those staying at least four nights in a hotel or seven in an apartment from 3-17 December 2022 and 15 April to 1 May 2023.

Valtournenche, Italy. Image © PlanetSKI

Austria

The rising energy bills for Austria’s ski resorts have translated into pricier tickets, but also shorter hours and reduced service in some cases.

“We expect that our power costs will at least double this season,” said Anton Bodner, head of the resort’s lift company.

“We are talking about millions of euros,” he added.

Austria’s ski resorts are part of its winter tourism industry, which represents about 3.9% of the country’s national GDP in 2019, before the pandemic struck.

France

PlanetSKI has recently been in the Paradiski area (Les Arcs and La Plagne), and Le3Vallees (Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Courechevel and Meribel).

“It was not uncommon to pay around €10 for a large beer and lunch in a mountain restaurant was harder on the wallet than I last remember,” said PlanetSKI editor, James Cove.

We will be updating this report with prices once we have seen more with our own eyes in France, so do check back.

“The lifts will be open and there will be no increase on ski pass prices,” said Sara Burdon from the Office de Tourisme de Morzine.

“We’re increasing our entertainment program, which offers families lots of free activities to keep kids occupied,” Sara added.

And next season?

VIP Ski reports that it increased its prices six months ago by 5% and might need to review its pricing again ahead of next season.

It specialises in upmarket offerings in the French Alps.

“We expect that inflationary pressures will likely lead to a 10%increase for the 2023/24 season,” said the company’s owner and managing director, Andy Sturt.