To avoid power shortages, Swiss ski lifts may have to reduce their supply next winter. “We are ready to reduce our consumption”, indicated Wednesday in Forum the director of Téléverbier Laurent Vaucher, adding that the stop of some installations is part of the tracks envisaged. “Everything will depend on the magnitude of the savings that will be asked of us.”
The question is already agitated within the various ski lift companies. To avoid electricity shortages, ski areas might reduce their offers to a greater or lesser extent next winter. This was revealed on Tuesday by the director of the sector umbrella on the airwaves of the SRF.
On the Téléverbier side, for example, all the scenarios have already been put on the table. In the end, “everything will depend on the extent of the savings that will be asked of us”, indicates Wednesday in Forum its director, Laurent Vaucher.
Closure of certain facilities
Among the avenues considered: the extinction of all superfluous or cosmetic energy consumers. “Like certain lights, auxiliary heaters, escalators or elevators. And we are also talking regarding reducing the speed of the ski lifts”, he specifies. Before adding: “And if we really have to save a lot, it might go as far as stopping a few installations.”
But getting rid of the snow cannons would not be a good solution, according to him. “In general, ski lifts and mechanical snowmaking correspond to 0.34% of total consumption in Switzerland. So getting rid of snow cannons means taking great risks for ski areas, knowing that a franc collected by the lifts brings in 6 in the region.”
No price increase yet
For this winter, subscription prices have already been set. Therefore, no increase is expected at this level next season. But followingwards, if a possible surge in energy prices were confirmed, “it would inevitably have an impact on our operating accounts”, continues the director of the Valais ski area.
Interview by Tania Sazpinar
Web adaptation: Fabien Grenon