Graubünden Lift Co’s Report Successful Start To The Season
As the monitor from Graubünden Mountain Railways shows, this year's holidays drew people to the Graubünden mountains. The economic engine ran largely smoothly. The number of first-time visitors to Graubünden's mountain railways was 5.6% higher at the end of December than in the previous year. However, the overall picture reveals a fragmented landscape.
The monitor of the Graubünden mountain railway industry association covers 23 mountain railway companies, which generate 90% of Graubünden's transport revenue. First-time visitors from the start of the season until December 31, 2025, increased by 5.6% compared to the previous year. This represents a further increase following an already strong result in the previous year.
The result was even more pleasing compared to long-term averages. This year's season start is 20.1% higher than the 5-year average and 29% higher than the 10-year average. These figures please Markus Moser, President of the Graubünden Mountain Railways: "To offer our guests a good experience despite challenging weather conditions, the employees of the various mountain railway companies went the extra mile. It paid off." The fear of overcrowded slopes due to reduced services and increased numbers of guests proved unfounded.
The season has started exceptionally well, particularly in the Davos Klosters region and the Upper and Lower Engadine. This is thanks to a 10.7% to 11.5% increase in first-time visitors compared to last year. "Guests appreciated the wide range of offerings, and the sunny weather also played a part. Furthermore, the proportion of day visitors in these regions is lower than in others," explains Markus Moser.
However, not all of Graubünden's ski resorts recorded positive figures. Those areas with insufficient or no artificial snowmaking, and a high proportion of day visitors, faced particular challenges. The minimal precipitation in November and December resulted in little to no natural snow cover. Consequently, these areas saw significantly fewer first-time visitors than the previous year, or even had to suspend their ski activities altogether. "This has shown us once again how essential efficient artificial snowmaking is for generating revenue," emphasizes Marcus Gschwend, Managing Director of Graubünden Mountain Railways. He thus highlights not only the importance of reliable snow cover for the mountain railway companies themselves, but also underscores the benefits for all service providers (hotels, restaurants, ski schools, retail, etc.) and the entire tourism sector in the canton of Graubünden. Markus Moser confirms: "Graubünden's mountain railways are the engine of tourism and generate the revenue that keeps our villages alive." This is also illustrated by the tourism value creation study of the canton of Graubünden from 2022/23.
The overall experience on the mountain counts
The fact that the Graubünden mountain railway companies strived to offer the best possible service with the available resources was unanimously appreciated by guests. Feedback from guests throughout the canton confirms a high level of appreciation for this commitment. For many guests, relaxation, conviviality, enjoyment, and sunshine were also top priorities over the holidays, in addition to the snow sports. The recent holidays provided ideal conditions for this, which was reflected very positively in the spending habits of guests in the mountain restaurants.
“All in all, the Graubünden mountain railway industry can look back on a successful start to the season. For the upcoming season, however, the industry is naturally hoping for a decent amount of natural snow,” said Markus Moser.
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