Satisfactory March for Swiss Lift Co's

Swiss cable car operators can look back on a largely successful 2025/26 winter season so far, up to the end of March. While visitor numbers in March are below the exceptionally strong level of the previous year, they still represent an 11% increase compared to the five-year average. The initially mild winter posed particular challenges for smaller and lower-lying ski resorts. However, the situation has eased considerably with the cold snaps and snowfall in February and March.

For its seasonal monitoring, the Swiss Cable Car Association (SBS) analyzes the number of visitors (first-time entries) from over 120 members throughout Switzerland. The figures now available allow for an analysis from the start of the winter season until March 31, 2026.

A changeable March

The first third of March was spring-like and warm, but this changed in mid- to late March with heavy snowfall. This meant that both snow sports enthusiasts and day-trippers got their money's worth. Nevertheless, the number of first-time visitors in March was eleven percent lower than in the same month last year. Besides the weather, the school holidays are another reason for the weaker March figures: this year, the vast majority of these fell in February.

Well-attended sports holidays

The daily recording of visitor numbers at most destinations with corresponding access control systems allows the association to define seasonal periods. This shows that during the winter sports holiday period – between mid-January and mid-March – the decline in visitor numbers was less pronounced at -2% than during the holidays and the New Year period, when the decline was -14% .

High-altitude ski resorts and regions without declines

The analysis of visitor numbers by altitude for the current season confirms the expected picture: The winter has been particularly challenging for areas below 1,500 m above sea level. They recorded an average of 7% fewer visitors than in the same period last year. Areas at mid-altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 m above sea level registered a decrease of 5%. Destinations above 2,000 m above sea level are 1% below last year's visitor numbers

This observation also confirms the regional differences. Regions with ski resorts at higher altitudes show a positive trend, while lower-lying regions experience declines. For example, Valais finished the season at the same level as the previous winter of 2024/25 at the end of March, while ski resorts in Eastern Switzerland had to accept an average loss of 10% 

Bad weather and a lack of day visitors as key drivers

The poor weather conditions on weekends in March had a significant impact on ski resorts with many day visitors located near major urban areas. An analysis of the visitor demographics in the various resorts shows that areas with predominantly residential guests or a balanced mix of visitors were able to maintain the previous year's level (minus 0.2%), while areas with predominantly day visitors experienced a decline of 5%.

Positive long-term development

Compared to the previous year, the picture in many regions is rather subdued, but this is put into perspective when looking at a five-year period. Compared to the five-year average, which also includes a winter impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the season as a whole performs positively. First-time arrivals were 11% above this average. However, there are significant regional differences: While Eastern Switzerland recorded an increase of 2%, the growth in Ticino was 22%

Thanks to artificial snowmaking, the winter season got off to a successful start. The abundant natural snowfall in February and March proved valuable not only for the environment but also significantly contributed to the attractiveness of the offerings in the second half of the season. "We are very pleased that demand remained very high until the beginning of April, and that many guests were able to benefit from the fantastic snow conditions in high-altitude regions," says Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cableways. While many winter destinations end their season after Easter or the following weekend, some areas continue operating beyond the end of April. Swiss Cableways will provide final visitor figures for the entire winter season at the beginning of May.