November 20, 2024, 4:51 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Skiing will be more expensive in many places this season. That’s because ski passes often cost more: according to a recent survey by ADAC, on average more than 5 percent. However, savings are still possible.
Those heading to the mountains for winter sports in 2024/25 will generally need to budget more for ski passes. Compared to the previous season, prices have risen almost everywhere, averaging 5.6 percent. The ADAC found this in its annual ski pass price comparison and also offers tips on how to save. As in the previous year, the analysis compared the prices of one- and three-day ski passes in 25 ski resorts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
In particular, Austrian ski resorts have significantly increased their prices. Obertauern, for example, has become 11.1 percent more expensive compared to the 2023/24 season. In some German ski resorts, prices have not increased at all, such as Feldberg (Black Forest) and Balderschwang (Upper Allgäu). Overall, according to ADAC, German resorts remain the cheapest this season.
Zermatt and Balderschwang are worlds apart in price
With 42 euros for a day ski pass for adults, Feldberg and Balderschwang offer the best prices in comparison. In the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt, a day of skiing is the most expensive at 103 euros. According to the information, most day passes in the 25 ski resorts examined cost more than 70 euros.
The ADAC places a special focus on families in its annual price analysis. Both for a day ski pass and a three-day ski pass, the costs for a model family with two children (ages 10 and 14) are determined.
Also interesting: 8 tips to save money on a ski vacation
Model family pays an average of 591 euros for three days
While the day pass for the example family cost an average of 197 euros in the 2023/2024 season, it now averages 207 euros. And while the model family had to pay an average of 558 euros for the three-day pass last season, it is now an average of 591 euros this season.
But it can get significantly more expensive: Three family ski days cost more than 600 euros in 14 of the 25 ski resorts considered. Among them are even 7 resorts that charge more than 700 euros for the three days on the slopes for the four people.
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South Tyrol and Switzerland are the most expensive slopes
At the top of the price range are the South Tyrolean ski resorts Kronplatz and Seiser Alm, each with 758 euros for the model family’s three-day ski passes, closely followed by the Swiss ski resorts Davos-Klosters and Zermatt with 752 and 745 euros, respectively. The most affordable option for the model family is three days in Balderschwang at 330 euros.
And although Obertauern was at the top of the price increase according to ADAC, the ski resort is among the cheapest for families in Austria: Here, the model family pays 585 euros for the three-day ski passes. Only Damüls-Mellau is cheaper in comparison, where 567 euros are due.
So those specifically looking for ski resorts with affordable ski pass prices can save a lot. However, the number, type, and length of slopes, the rail and lift infrastructure, and snow reliability due to the respective altitude naturally vary greatly and can be reflected in the price.
Save on ski passes – 7 tips
Additionally, the ADAC offers seven more tips to save money on ski passes:
- Book online: Ski passes are often cheaper when purchased online than at the ticket counter.
- Book early: Booking ski passes early and for a fixed date can be advantageous because some lift operators use dynamic pricing based on capacity and demand.
- Go against the flow: Whenever possible, go skiing on weekdays or at least outside of holiday periods.
- Ask about special tickets: Many German ski resorts, as well as places like Damüls-Mellau or Arlberg-St. Anton in Austria, offer family tickets that are often cheaper than individual tickets.
- Check age limits carefully: In most ski resorts, children pay from age 6, but in some, not until age 8 or 9. The youth price usually applies from age 15–but not always: In Davos-Klosters or Flims-Laax, for example, 14-year-olds already pay the youth price.
- Look for specials: Lift operators occasionally offer promotions for ski passes. It may be worthwhile to consider any specials when planning your trip.
- Be cautious with ski pass selection: Often, both ski passes for the respective sub-ski area and for an overarching ski area network are sold at the ticket counters. According to ADAC, for three-day passes, the network pass is often even cheaper than the pass that only applies to the sub-ski area.
With material from dpa