The winter boom in tourism continues - ski resorts are looking for alternatives for the future

The 2016 season showed how quickly things can collapse. The weakest winter in 25 years left Swiss ski resorts with deep worry lines. Almost surprisingly, last year brought about a turnaround: finally lots of snow again, finally nice weather again - the growth compared to the previous year was remarkable: ten percent.

And this year, too, it looks as if the winter sports resorts will be able to build on last year's success: snow, weather and guest numbers are more than encouraging so far.

Following the almost unchecked decline since the 2008/2009 season and the low point in 2016/2017, things started to pick up again last year. The current season is likely to continue the trend reversal. Nevertheless, ski tourism is unlikely to return to the level of previous years (Graphic: Schweiz am Wochenende / Martin Ludwig, based on information from Seilbahnen Schweiz/Laurent Vanat).

However, the two good years should not obscure the fact that mountain regions are no longer able or willing to rely on winter tourism. The external conditions that have a decisive and direct influence on the economic success of a season are too difficult to calculate and plan. The former driving force of winter is losing importance.

Although investments in snow cannons reduce dependency on snowfall, it will be difficult for many areas to operate them at all in the future. For example, a recent Evaluation worth reading of the online magazine Republic The forecasts for various ski resorts in terms of snow reliability and snow cannon deployment in the coming decades, should global warming continue unabated. Conclusion: The winter season will become shorter and shorter, skiing will become a premium product and winter sports will be concentrated in a few high-altitude areas. Zermatt, for example, is one of the few areas where it will still be possible to produce artificial snow in 2085 if climate change continues unabated.

Zermatt is not thinking of neglecting winter sports, as spokesman Mathias Imoberdorf told the Switzerland at the weekend says: "We're not letting up on the skiers, on the contrary, we're pushing further and further". However, he also admits: "The number of skiers will not increase". If you want to grow, you have to increase your market share - in other words, take guests away from the competition. And Zermatt also wants to catch up where other resorts have been investing for years: in non-skiing activities. Not only in summer with biking or hiking, but also in winter: In the future, Zermatt will offer a connection between the Italian ski resort of Cervina Valthournenche, day tourists will be able to cross the Alps comfortably all year round. The focus is particularly on Chinese guests, who will be able to visit the Matterhorn quickly and reliably on their way from Italy to France.

In general, however, summer tourism is gaining in importance. And not just in the future, when overheated city dwellers flee to the cool mountains in summer. In 2018, Titlis Bergbahnen recorded an equal number of summer and winter guests for the first time in its history. Ten years ago, the ratio was still 40:60, according to Head of Marketing Peter Reinle. And in winter, too, Reinle says that more and more guests are coming without skis.

Laax also wanted to reduce its dependence on winter "in view of climate change", spokeswoman Christina Ragettli told Schweiz am Wochenende. The region would do well to consider alternatives - according to Republic over 90 percent of annual turnover in Laax is generated in the winter season. Attractions in other seasons are now to be better marketed and excursion tourists attracted to the region. A new aerial tramway will provide access to the Unesco World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona.

Photo: Pascal Gertschen/Zermatt Tourism