Cost of Day Lift Passes in Europe’s Ski Resorts Outpace Inflation
9th February 2024
Last modified on February 13th, 2024
The average cost of one-day lift pass in European ski resorts has risen almost 35% above inflation over the past eight years, according a recent study.
The analysis shows that the average cost has gone up from €47.40 in 2015 to €66.46 in 2023/24 – an increase of 34.8% above inflation.
It found that, if ski day passes were tied to inflation in the respective countries, Europe’s average would be around €50.10 per day.
The luggage and ski equipment storage company, Radical Storage, did the analysis, based on a one-day pass in 100 popular European resorts.
It worked out the price increase, above or below each country’s inflation rate, to reveal which resorts have seen the biggest price hikes and which offer the best value for money.
It used the International Monetary Fund’s Consumer Price Index to calculate the inflation rates.
As well as the headline figure, the key findings are:
- Zermatt in Switzerland is the costliest resort for skiers, with an adult day pass costing €108
- The Steinplatte-Winklmoosalm resort in Austria had the biggest above-inflation increase at 109.3% since 2015
- Kopaonik National Park in Serbia offers the cheapest ski day passes, costing just €37 per day for the 2023/24 season
Zermatt, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Where Have Prices Increased The Most?
The cost of skiing at Swiss, Austrian, and Italian resorts all rose consistently above inflation.
| Resort | Country | 2023 one-day ski pass | 2015 one-day ski pass | % increase above inflation |
| Steinplatte/Winklmoosalm – Waidring/Reit im Winkl | Austria | €58.00 | €25.50 | 109.3% |
| Arosa Lenzerheide | Switzerland | €92.00 | €46.00 | 97.9% |
| Zauchensee/Flachauwinkl | Austria | €73.50 | €35.00 | 93.3% |
| St. Moritz – Corviglia | Switzerland | €83.53 | €46.00 | 79.7% |
| Kitzsteinhorn/Maiskogel – Kaprun | Austria | €72.00 | €38.00 | 74.4% |
| Paganella – Andalo | Italy | €68.00 | €38.00 | 68.6% |
| Andermatt/Oberalp/Sedrun | Switzerland | €93.00 | €58.00 | 58.6% |
| Großarltal/Dorfgastein | Austria | €68.00 | €39.50 | 58.4% |
| Madonna di Campiglio/Pinzolo/Folgàrida/Marilleva | Italy | €79.00 | €48.00 | 55.1% |
| Speikboden – Skiworld Ahrntal | Italy | €63.50 | €39.50 | 51.5% |
St Moritz, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
Cheapest Ski Passes in Europe
In the 2023/2024 season, Serbia’s Kopaonik National Park is home to Europe’s cheapest slopes.
It costs just €37 for a day lift pass.
In the Alps, France’s Espace Diamant, which is a 90 minute drive from Geneva, is, the most affordable resort in the region, according to the analysis.
A day pass in peak season costs €47.50 — less than half the cost of resorts across the Swiss border.
| Rank | Name | Country | 2023 adults price (peak season) 1 day |
| 1 | Kopaonik | Serbia | €37.00 |
| 2 | Kläppen | Sweden | €44.00 |
| 3 | Bansko | Bulgaria | €46.00 |
| 4 | Espace Diamant – Les Saisies/Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe/Praz sur Arly/Flumet/Crest-Voland | France | €47.50 |
| 5 | Tauplitz – Bad Mitterndorf | Austria | €48.00 |
| 6 | Levi | Finland | €51.50 |
| 7 | Kühtai | Austria | €52.00 |
| 8 | Saint-Lary-Soulan | France | €52.00 |
| 9 | Hafjell | Norway | €53.00 |
| 10 | La Molina/Masella – Alp2500 | Spain | €53.00 |
Hafjell, Norway – Image © PlanetSKI
Most Expensive Ski Passes in Europe
Swiss resorts take the top three spots.
Overall, day ski passes in Switzerland average around €78.92, with Zermatt being the costliest at €108.
| Rank | Name | Country | 2023 adults price (peak season) 1 day |
| 1 | Zermatt/Breuil-Cervinia/Valtournenche – Matterhorn | Switzerland | €108.00 |
| 2 | 4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon | Switzerland | €88.00 |
| 3 | Flumserberg | Switzerland | €75.00 |
| 4 | Val Gardena (Gröden) | Italy | €74.00 |
| 5 | Kvitfjell | Norway | €53.00 |
| 6 | Kronplatz (Plan de Corones) | Italy | €74.00 |
| 7 | Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) | Italy | €74.00 |
| 8 | Bad Gastein/Bad Hofgastein – Schlossalm/Angertal/Stubnerkogel | Austria | €73.90 |
| 9 | Zauchensee/Flachauwinkl | Austria | €73.50 |
| 10 | Snow Space Salzburg – Flachau/Wagrain/St. Johann-Alpendorf | Austria | €73.50 |
Gastein ski area, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI
“Skiing in Europe is still recovering from the pandemic while being hit by unusually high temperatures and the impact of high inflation across the continent,” says Giacomo Piva, Co-Founder of Radical Storage.
“It’s a challenging season and not a surprise that we’re seeing another price increase.
“A country’s specific inflationary impact is not, however, a direct indicator of how much the cost of skiing has changed, with many resorts vastly outpacing the rising price of goods this year.
“Skiing continues to be a leisure activity for those with good disposable income.
“However as our research shows, travellers can still find ski resorts across Europe where you get more value for money if you’re willing to stray away from the traditional household names.
“But, as we’re seeing with Bulgaria, don’t expect skiing secret spots to stay hidden and affordable for long.”
The full research and details of its methodology can be found here.
