Halfway through the normal winter season it waves away, the Styrian lift operators are satisfied. But the outlook is worrying – because of Corona, but also because of high energy and construction costs. How much will ticket prices rise?
The disappointment was big: the cable car operators hoped that it would become a normal ski season in the summer. In mid-October it was clear: nothing will come of it. The 3-G rule and the obligation to wear masks in the gondolas were announced, followed moments later by the lockdown for bars and hotels. The mood in the industry was at freezing point.
“We got away with light blue eyes”
Now, almost half a year later, the season also enters the final in the latter regions. What is the final conclusion? “We came off slightly and exceeded expectations,” says Daniel Berchthaller, director of the Reiteralm. He calculated with a third less turnover than in a normal year, which will probably only be a minus of five to ten percent.
And that despite a particularly pronounced slump in January, modest weather in February, ski lessons at school only after the semester break. “It won’t be a record. But the days of unlimited growth are over,” says Berchthaller.
Snow cannon system has proven itself
Similar to the message from other ski areas. “We are very satisfied. It was a relatively normal season,” says Harald Waupotitsch of the Planneralm. The snowmaking installation has also proven its worth in the second year: “Otherwise we would have had problems at Christmas.”
Given the circumstances, people are happy on the Tauplitz, “even if we don’t jump in the air”, says spokesman Bernd Michelitsch. Not much is missing from the level of the 2019/20 season.
Record season on the Riesneralm
The Riesneralm has even had a record season, with a turnover increase of eight percent, according to director Erwin Petz. He attributes this to the high investments of recent years.
So take a deep breath on the Styrian ski mountains. But looking to the future brings even more uncertainties. For starters, no one knows what the pandemic will bring next fall and winter. On the other hand, the current wave of inflation is also having a major impact on this sector.
Costs are rising sharply – will tariffs also be lifted soon?
According to statistics from the Chamber of Commerce, about five percent of the revenue from cable car operations is used for energy. In individual companies it can also rise to ten percent. Many have secured multi-year, fixed-price electricity contracts and are currently relatively light, but these contracts often expire this year or next.
Fuel prices, for example for snow throwers, also play a role – and their availability. “Gas for the Skidoos could not be supplied for a few days this year. We had to get him from the gas station with jerry cans,” Michelitsch said.
In addition, there are sharply rising costs for steel or electrical parts. “With a little delay, a lot will be reflected in our industry,” predicts Berchthaller. And probably also in the ticket prices. Is there a juicy turnout?
‘Profit does not increase’
Everyone emphasizes that they will wait and then calculate in the coming months. One thing is clear: the full additional costs cannot be passed on to the customers. Waupotitsch puts it this way: “Our revenues will increase, but our profits will not.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
