Tourism Mountain railroads record surprisingly good guest numbers in February
The Swiss mountain railroads had a good start to the sports holiday season. The number of guests exceeded expectations in February. Smaller cableways benefited more than average.
05.03.2025, 08:35
05.03.2025, 08:36
SDA
According to the Swiss Cableways Association (SBS), the number of guests in February 2025 was 7 percent higher than in the same month last year. Internal estimates had actually assumed that this year's figures would fall short of the good February 2024 because the sports vacations in many regions fall in March due to the late Easter holidays this year.
From the start of the season to the end of February, the number of guests across Switzerland was 9% higher than in the same period last year.
A quarter more guests at small lifts
According to the industry association, small and medium-sized companies in particular are among the winners. Small cableways (up to CHF 2 million passenger revenue) had an average of 23 percent more guests than in the same period last year, medium-sized companies (CHF 2-10 million) recorded 15 percent more guests, while large companies (over CHF 10 million) welcomed 5 percent more guests.
"Smaller ski resorts are proving that they can offer guests an attractive range of services," Berno Stoffel, Director of Cableways Switzerland, was quoted as saying in the press release. According to the information, all regions were able to maintain or improve their results compared to the same period last year. The Vaud and Fribourg Alps (+25 percent), Central Switzerland (+21 percent), Eastern Switzerland (+16 percent) and Ticino (+11 percent) recorded double-digit growth rates. Lower figures were recorded in the Bernese Oberland (+9%), Valais (+5%) and Graubünden (+1%).
For the season monitoring, the Swiss Cableways Association analyzed the number of guests (first-time admissions) from over 120 members throughout Switzerland. The industry is looking to March with confidence thanks to the good weather and numerous events along the slopes, it said.
