According to a survey of Hôtellerie Suisse among its members, more than 80% of establishments have increased the price of rooms by at least 5% this season.
For their part, the Swiss ski lifts have also increased the price of the passes, but never above 5%, assures the umbrella organization. Consequently, the average price of a daily pass for an adult in Switzerland is now 68 francs, ie 15 francs more than fifteen years ago.
Faced with this situation, the drafting of basik went in search of good plans to spend a little less money, but also try to ski in a more sustainable way. To do this, she went to the canton of Valais which, with 570 ski lifts, has the largest infrastructure in the country.
And once morest all odds, the team managed to spend a total of only 211 francs for a weekend in the mountains for an adult, transport costs excluded.
Where to stay cheap?
Baptized Anako Lodge, this tourist concept which brings together six renovated mayens was developed eight years ago in the Val d’Hérens. [Nicolas Sedlatchek – Anako Lodge]
For accommodation, the economic magazine of the RTS has found old mayens recently renovated in the Val d’Hérens for 120 francs per night (breakfast included). Accessible free of charge from Sion via the provision of an electric car, these accommodations can each accommodate up to twelve people. It is therefore a very interesting offer when you stay there as a group.
Initially destined for demolition, these six small chalets were saved, then rebuilt plank by plank. Only the interior has been modernized. baptized Anako Lodgethis tourism concept was developed eight years ago by Olivier Cheseaux.
Architect by trade, this Valaisan had to fight to develop his alternative tourism, not only focused on skiing, he says in basik. “No banking body believed in my project. Even the canton of Valais was a little reluctant with tourist funds.” Indeed, at the level of the overall investment, this recovery of heritage in ruins will have cost him regarding 30% more expensive than rebuilding something new.
Where to ski cheap?
In Arolla, the pass costs 46 francs per day. [christophe clivaz – ]
For skiing strictly speaking, basik has found one of the cheapest resorts in central Valais: Arolla. In this station, the pass costs 46 francs per day. This rather low price is explained in particular by the fact that the slopes are between 2000 and 3000 meters, an altitude where snow cannons are rather rare. Moreover, thanks to the good snow conditions during the last Christmas holidays, Arolla observed 50% more crowds than the previous year.
Despite everything, the price of the subscription had to be revised upwards this season, explains Manuel Follonier, president of the Arolla ski lifts. “This year, we have around 15,000 francs in additional energy-related costs. That’s still quite a lot.” Not to mention increases in the price of fuel, spare parts for machinery or maintenance of facilities. “So this year, we have potentially increased by 2 francs compared to last season.”
Note that this increase in the price of the pass should continue in Arolla. Indeed, the resort will soon invest in a new gondola project worth around 20 million francs. And at the same time, it will part with five ski lifts that were inexpensive to maintain.
Where to equip cheap?
Called Second Life, Decathlon’s offer allows you to buy reconditioned second-hand skis. [Yann Dieuaide – RTS]
As far as equipment is concerned, the basik journalist unearthed a brand new offer from the sports equipment giant Decathlon. baptized Second Lifeit allows you to buy reconditioned second-hand skis, explains Alex Jacquelin of the Decathlon store in Marin (NE).
“The project to resell our second-hand products starts above all from a real customer need, who is increasingly looking to consume a little differently. And the other challenge is to try to reduce the environmental impact .”
This system allows ski enthusiasts who have little means to find skis around 30% cheaper than new equipment. As for the brand, it would collect on average a margin of 30 francs per pair of skis sold. If this concept already exists a lot on online applications, Decathlon is riding the wave.
“Most of our subsidiaries have been able to double the surface area dedicated to second-hand products”, rejoices Alex Jacquelin. Before continuing: “So, even if it’s still a little early to have strong convictions, we realize that there is a real appetite and that there is a real enthusiasm on the part of our customers. over it.”
Subject TV: Quentin Bohlen
Web adaptation: Fabien Grenon
