Every second large ski resort already relies on “dynamic prices”
Published: Saturday, Nov 11th 2023, 09:50
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The trend towards flexible prices is increasing in Swiss ski resorts. In the new ski season, which has already begun in some resorts, half of the major Swiss destinations are already using the "dynamic price model".
Medium-sized and smaller mountain railroads have so far tended to stick to the classic model with fixed prices for daily and weekly tickets, for example. This is what Benedicta Aregger, Deputy Director of the Swiss Cableways Association, told the Keystone-SDA news agency on request.
After an initial phase in which many large mountain railroads adopted the flexible price model, the trend towards this model has slowed down. Now half of the large ski resorts have opted for the dynamic model. Aregger thus confirmed a finding recently published by the "Aargauer Zeitung" and its sister papers.
Adelboden-Lenk has changed
Dynamic prices mean that the price of a day pass, for example, depends on the time at which you buy it and the date on which you want to use the mountain railroads. In general, prices are lower the earlier you buy and higher the more people want to ski on a particular day - at weekends, for example.
From this year, the Adelboden-Lenk mountain railroads will be introducing dynamic prices. As a company spokeswoman announced on request, they are doing this after several years of testing this model and following guest surveys.
The aim is to utilize the lifts in the ski area more evenly, make skiing more attractive in terms of price during the low season and reduce waiting times - including in restaurants. This benefits both guests and the destination. Thanks to the advance sale of tickets, the company's liquidity is better at the start of the season and the online store takes the pressure off the ticket offices.
Save with early booking
The Foundation for Consumer Protection has repeatedly criticized dynamic prices as lacking transparency. It also claims that this model conceals price increases. Aregger says that dynamic prices are clearly communicated and the rules are understandable. Customers understand the model and the feedback from the mountain railroads is positive.
How should ski-loving families with a small or medium budget react to dynamic prices? Aregger says that for them, as with the rental of vacation apartments, it is important to act early when it comes to ski passes.
Cable cars are cautiously optimistic
According to the snow report on the Switzerland Tourism website, most Swiss ski resorts start in December. However, some resorts are already open, and the ski resorts of Nendaz VS and Veysonnaz VS wanted to start the new season on Saturday.
Cableways Switzerland is cautiously optimistic about the new season, says Benedicta Aregger. The general conditions such as currency and inflation are not ideal, but the Swiss are a ski and snow people. The early onset of winter last week was a welcome stimulus for good winter business.
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