2023-11-11 08:51:02
Bern (awp/ats) – More and more ski areas in Switzerland are introducing the flexible price system. So for this next season, which has already started in certain regions, half of the main winter sports resorts are banking on the “dynamic price” model.
Small and medium-sized ski lift companies have until now mostly stuck to the classic model with fixed prices, for example for daily and weekly passes, according to the deputy director of the Swiss Ski Lift Association (RMS), Benedicta Aregger.
After an initial phase in which many large lift companies adopted the flexible pricing model, the trend has slowed down. Now, half of the major ski areas have opted for the so-called dynamic model. And Ms. Aregger confirmed to Keystone-ATS the information recently published by the newspapers of the German-speaking group CH Media.
Progression
By dynamic prices we mean that the price of a day pass, for example, depends both on when you buy it and on the date on which you want to use the ski lifts. As a general rule, the earlier you buy, the lower the prices. And the more the desired day of use corresponds to a day of expected high demand – for example the weekend – the higher the prices.
In Verbier (VS), for example, a package purchased today for mid-January will cost up to 30% less. In the Val de Bagnes resort, the discounted day pass will be in its third season. “The system works well and is improving each year,” Laurent Vaucher, general manager of Téléverbier, tells Keystone-ATS. Stations like Crans-Montana or Zermatt (VS) also apply this system.
From this year, the Adelboden-Lenk (BE) ski lifts are also banking on so-called dynamic prices. The decision follows a multi-year review of the model and customer surveys, a company spokeswoman said.
The aim is to operate the ski area’s facilities more regularly, make skiing more attractive during the low season and reduce waiting times, including in restaurants.
This benefits both customers and the resort. Thanks to the advance sale of tickets, the liquidity of the ski lift company would be better at the start of the season and the daily cash registers would be unloaded thanks to the online store.
Save money by booking in advance
The German-speaking Foundation for Consumer Protection has repeatedly criticized the lack of transparency in flexible prices. In his eyes, this model also hides price increases.
But for Benedicta Aregger, so-called dynamic prices are clearly communicated and the rules are understandable. Customers understand the model and reactions from businesses have been positive.
And the vice-director of RMS advises families who are passionate regarding skiing and have a low or medium budget to act early enough, both for the rental of vacation apartments and for ski passes.
Cautious optimism
Many resorts, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland, rely on the Magic Pass. This package, which offers access to around forty destinations, is experiencing strong growth in sales, with already 140,750 seasonal subscriptions sold so far (+27.4% over one year).
According to the snow report on the Switzerland Tourism website, most Swiss ski areas start in December. However, some facilities are already open. This is particularly the case for the ski areas of Nendaz and Veysonnaz (VS) or Glacier 3000 (VD) which have opened some of their slopes.
Remontées Mécaniques Suisses is cautiously optimistic at the start of this new season, says Benedicta Aregger. Framework conditions such as the exchange rate and inflation are not optimal, but the Swiss are a people of skiers and snow. The early arrival of winter last week was a welcome boost for winter bargains.
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