Swiss Lift Co’s Look Back On A Strong Winter Season

The 2024/25 winter season will go down in the annals of the cable car industry as an exceptionally good one. The recently concluded season saw an 11% increase in guest numbers, which in absolute terms represents the best season of the last decade and even surpasses the 2021/22 winter. Compared to the five-year average, guest numbers increased by 21%. Smaller and lower-lying companies, in particular, benefited disproportionately.

For its seasonal monitoring, the Swiss Cable Car Industry Association (SBS) evaluates the number of guests (first-time entries) of over 120 members across Switzerland. The figures now available allow for an analysis of the entire 2024/25 winter season, from the start of the season to the end of April. Thanks to daily access data, the association can also report on periods that are not defined by month.

Seilbahnen Schweiz is pleased with the solid end-of-season period (16 March to end of season: +1%) after the exceptionally good holiday period (+24%)

The winter was characterized by initial snowfall even in the lowlands, which whetted the appetite of many snow sports enthusiasts for some snow fun. The subsequent weather was exceptionally dry and with little precipitation. Nevertheless, the cable car companies managed to provide excellent slope conditions on a high-quality, artificially produced snow base. Once again, it became clear that without artificially produced snow, the winter season cannot be guaranteed.

Lower-lying regions and areas benefit

The seasonal analysis shows that 11% more guests traveled by cable car across Switzerland than in the previous year. All regions maintained or improved on the previous year's good results. The Vaud and Fribourg Alps (+31%), the Bernese Oberland (+21%), Central Switzerland (+20%), and Eastern Switzerland (+17%) recorded double-digit growth rates. Ticino (+7%), Valais (+6%), and Graubünden (+5%) recorded single-digit growth rates.

The following figure shows that snow sports resorts at lower altitudes, in particular, welcomed significantly more guests this winter. This demonstrates that guests highly value these areas when the snow and slope conditions are good. At the same time, it can be seen that all altitudes recorded increases compared to last year.

Small and medium-sized enterprises as winners

It is also encouraging that small companies (up to CHF 2 million in passenger transport revenue) recorded an average of over 22% more guests than in winter 2023/24, medium-sized companies (CHF 2-10 million) an average of 14% more guests, while large companies (over CHF 10 million) welcomed 9% more guests. "This season was a very good one for many smaller and lower-lying ski areas. They were able to offer guests, especially families, an attractive range of options. It is particularly pleasing that guests appreciate not only the larger areas, but also the smaller and lower-lying ones when conditions are good. These are precisely the areas that make an extremely important contribution to promoting young talent. This is where children take their first steps and turns in the snow. This is where snow fever is inoculated," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cable Cars.

Comparison with the 5-year average

The cable car industry is pleased that the season so far has shown strong results compared to the five-year average. The number of first-time entries increased by 21% compared to the five-year average.

In August, Seilbahnen Schweiz will present an in-depth study, the "Seasonal Review 2024/25," with detailed analyses of frequencies, revenue, and the origin of guests in the current winter season.