Most areas adjust their prices to inflation, said cable car chairman Abg. Franz Hörl (ÖVP) on the APA. Relatively new in the ski business are flexible prices like those known from flying, also known as “dynamic pricing”. However, this has only been used sporadically in this country so far.
Although some ski areas would try out the new pricing system, “it hasn’t really caught on with us yet,” explained Hörl. In the Zillertal Arena in Tyrol, where Hörl himself is managing director of the cable cars in Gerlos, they decided against it: “We are staying conservative.” The highest prices would usually apply during the high season during the holidays when the weather is nice, when families in particular go skiing.
The prices in Tyrol
Skiing is likely to cost more for locals in Tyrol this year: Due to EU regulations, cheaper local rates will increasingly become a thing of the past. The “Leisure Ticket” network card is now also open to everyone, regardless of their main place of residence. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) achieved this by threatening to sue. The leisure ticket now costs 872 euros.
In the ski area Sölden in the Tyrolean Ötztal Flexible pricing has already been introduced. Winter sports enthusiasts can purchase a day ski pass between 56 and 76.50 euros in the online shop, but the maximum price in the peak season is 79 euros according to the price list. On Arlberg On the other hand, if you forego “dynamic pricing” and “it won’t happen either”. But you have to shell out 78 euros for the day ski pass. In the Tyrolean luxury ski resort Kitzbühel You can get away with it a little cheaper at 76 euros, the same price Ischgl in the Paznaun Valley due. In the Axamer Lizum Near Innsbruck the day ticket costs around 60 euros.
Dynamic pricing in Upper Austria
Many ski areas in Upper Austria have also switched to “dynamic pricing” this year. In Hinterstoder At best, you can purchase a day ticket online in advance for 44.50 euros Wurzeralm and on Hochficht each for 41 euros. Depending on the day, the price can go up by a few euros. Dachstein West and Kasberg do not have dynamic prices; the day ticket for an adult online costs 61.90 euros (Dachstein-West) or 52 euros (Kasberg). On their websites, most providers are trying even harder this year than before to make season or association tickets attractive to customers.
Prices in Salzburg
Flexible prices are in the largest ski association Salzburg – Ski amadé – already routine. Almost a third of all winter sports enthusiasts now take advantage of the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance and thus save some money – depending on the time of purchase and demand. The day ticket costs a maximum of 76.50 euros for adults next winter, which is around 4.5 percent more than last year (2023/24: 73.90 euros in Gastein). When purchased online, the day pass is available from 65 euros. The season ticket “ALL-IN Card White” costs 855 euros for adults, it is available in advance for 799 euros, with a loyalty bonus for 699 euros.
The glacier ski area has already started the season Kitzsteinhornwhich is the second largest Salzburg association “Alpin Card” (Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Leogang/Fieberbrunn, Schmittenhöhe and Kitzsteinhorn). In combination with 121 cable cars and lifts and up to 408 kilometers of slopes, the day ticket in the high season will cost 76 euros this year, four euros more than last winter. Dynamic pricing was also discussed, but a decision was made against it for the time being. “The clarity suffers. Our system may sometimes be hard when the weather is bad, but it is fair,” said Erich Egger, board member of the Schmittenhöhebahn.
Prices in Vorarlberg
In Vorarlberg’s ski areas, lift season tickets will be an average of 5.3 percent more expensive in the upcoming winter season. Andreas Gapp, spokesman for the Vorarlberg cable car industry, justified the price increase with general inflation and referred to wage increases, higher prices for almost all materials and investments in the ski areas. These accounted for around 30 percent of sales annually. The price increase for day tickets will be five percent.
In the valley Montafon you rely on dynamic pricing. The price for a season ticket there is currently 710 euros. The tariffs for day and multi-day tickets, however, are recalculated daily based on an algorithm. Gapp thinks this is the future. Dynamic pricing not only corresponds to the current zeitgeist but also to the market. Vorarlberg-wide There will be 287 cable cars and lifts in operation in winter, serving a total of around 1,000 kilometers of slopes. Around 2,800 people are employed, including around 1,800 seasonal workers.
Prices in Carinthia
For Carinthia, Manuel Kapeller-Hopfgartner, chairman of the cable car specialist group at the local Chamber of Commerce, expected a price increase of “on average seven to eight percent” when asked by the APA. However, the day ticket prices are only a limited indicator of the increases: “There are many tickets such as hourly tickets, beginner tickets, season tickets, points tickets or season tickets that make the day of skiing much cheaper.” Depending on the size and offer, there is a price range of around ten to 67 euros for an adult day ticket.
The ski area in Carinthia is dedicated to “dynamic pricing”. Holy blood decided that last season even faced a partial dismantling of the facilities due to low utilization. The model is intended to bring cheaper prices for early bookers. A day ticket is available from 42.50 euros, a six-day ski pass for 203.50 euros. At the Mölltal Glacier, in addition to the standard tickets – a day ticket for adults costs 66 euros – there are dynamic prices via the platform gopass. Here too, demand on the respective ski day plays the main role in pricing.
The average price increase for day tickets in the Carinthian ski areas is around 9 percent. The Goldeck ski area increased its price for a day ticket from 51 to 59 euros, which corresponds to an increase of almost 16 percent. Only on the Petz can be skied at the same price as last year; a day ticket for adults still costs 45.50 euros. When asked by APA, Franz Skuk, managing director and owner of Petzen Bergbahnen, justified this step with a larger price increase in the last winter season: “This year we are defying inflation.”
Prices in Styria: Teichalm is the cheapest
With the Styrian top dog, the Planai-Hochwurzen cable cars in Schladming and the surrounding areathe price for a day ski pass for adults will be increased by around four percent in the high season: instead of 73.50 euros, the ticket now costs 76.50 euros. However, online early birders can get lift tickets starting at 65 euros. Last year the prices started at 63 euros. There are no “dynamic” ticket prices in Schladming. On Kreischberg The day ski pass is expected to cost 65 euros in the coming high season, and 57 euros in Lachtal. One of the cheapest day tickets will be available in the coming season Opportunity be available. The day ticket for adults costs 31 euros in the coming season. On the Kaiserau The day ski pass will cost 34 euros next winter.
Prices in Lower Austria
In Lower Austria, ski enthusiasts will have to prepare for more expensive season tickets in 2024/25. The increase is in the range of the price increase according to the consumer price index, according to ecoplus Alpin GmbH in response to an APA request. There will continue to be Hochkar mountain railwaysthe Ötscher liftsthe Annaberger Liften and the Mönichkirchen Adventure Alm flexible tickets. “The earlier you book, the cheaper the price,” said Markus Redl, managing director of ecoplus Alpin GmbH, referring to the early bird discount.
Speaking of “Dynamic Pricing”: Minimum and maximum prices are set. According to ecoplus Alpin, the latter are based on the (fixed) prices of the competition. The algorithm recalculates the actual prices in this range every day. Historical and current demand as well as the weather forecast can be taken into account. “The cheapest prices so far have been around 30 euros,” emphasized Redl. A “worry-free package” of five euros per booked ski day also allows for free cancellation without giving reasons.
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