Swiss lift co's continuing their positive summer season into Autumn

The Swiss mountain-summer season has ended on a strong note. From the beginning of the season in May through the end of September 2026, mountain railways across the country recorded 10% more first-time admissions than during the same period last year. Compared with the average of the previous five years, the increase was as high as 28%.

The figures come from the seasonal monitoring programme of Seilbahnen Schweiz, the Swiss cableway industry association. The programme analyses visitor numbers from more than 140 member companies. According to the association, the survey covers more than 90% of the Swiss mountain-railway industry’s transport revenue, providing a broad overview of the sector’s performance.

The strong autumn extended what was already a successful summer season. After an exceptionally hot and dry summer, September remained mostly mild and stable across large parts of Switzerland. Good conditions for hiking, excursions and outdoor activities encouraged large numbers of visitors to head into the mountains.

Growth reaches beyond the major destinations

The results are notable because they were not driven solely by a handful of well-known mountain attractions. Companies of different sizes and from a range of regions increased their visitor numbers.

Smaller operators with average transport revenue of up to CHF 2 million recorded a 14% increase in first-time admissions compared with the previous year. Large companies with transport revenue of more than CHF 10 million also performed strongly, with growth of 13%. The middle category, consisting of companies with revenue between CHF 2 million and CHF 10 million, recorded more modest growth of 3%.

For Berno Stoffel, director of Seilbahnen Schweiz, the figures show that the positive trend is broadly based.

“The positive development is benefiting not only individual major destinations, but mountain railways of different sizes and from different regions,” Stoffel said. The results, he added, confirm the appeal of Switzerland’s mountains and the continued development of summer tourism products.

Bernese Oberland leads the way

The Bernese Oberland recorded the strongest regional performance. First-time admissions rose by 22% compared with the previous year. Graubünden followed with growth of 13%, while the Vaud and Fribourg Alps increased by 10%. Central Switzerland recorded a 7% rise, while Valais was slightly above the previous year at 2%.

Ticino and eastern Switzerland remained broadly in line with the previous year. In eastern Switzerland, however, the temporary closure of the Säntis cableway affected the overall result. Without that exceptional factor, first-time admissions in the region would have increased by around 25%, according to the association.

Excursion destinations in the Alpstein region, Heidiland and Toggenburg performed particularly well. Several medium-sized mountain railways reached their highest visitor figures since records began.

Medium elevations benefit most

The figures by altitude reveal another important trend. Mountain railways operating between 1,000 and 2,000 metres above sea level recorded the largest increase, with first-time admissions up 15% year on year.

Operators below 1,000 metres recorded growth of 3%, while high-alpine railways above 2,000 metres rose by 2%.

The summer boom was therefore not primarily a high-mountain phenomenon. Traditional hiking, excursion and recreation destinations at medium elevations proved particularly attractive. These areas are often easier for day visitors to reach and offer a combination of mountain transport, hiking, views, dining and family activities.

The comparison with the five-year average makes the trend even clearer. Across Switzerland, first-time admissions were 28% above the average for 2021 to 2025. The Bernese Oberland was 59% above its five-year average. The Vaud and Fribourg Alps were up 31%, while Central Switzerland recorded a 30% increase. Graubünden was 14% above average, Ticino 12% and Valais 10%.

Summer business becomes a second pillar

The figures confirm a long-term structural shift in the mountain-railway industry. Many companies are no longer dependent exclusively on winter operations. While the winter season faces pressure from fluctuating snow conditions, high energy prices and rising operating costs, summer is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue in its own right.

Mountain railways are investing in hiking routes, mountain-bike facilities, adventure parks, viewing platforms, family attractions and hospitality infrastructure. The aim is not simply to sell a single uphill or downhill journey, but to offer visitors a complete mountain experience.

The seasonal monitoring figures suggest that this strategy is producing results. Demand was not only higher than last year, but significantly above the average of the previous five years. This indicates that the performance cannot be explained solely by a few unusually warm or sunny weeks.

At the same time, weather remains a major factor. The hot summer and stable September created ideal conditions for hiking and excursions. For the industry, the question is how much of the success reflects long-term structural change and how much was driven by favourable weather.

An opportunity for lesser-known regions

The results could be particularly important for smaller and medium-sized destinations. If visitors increasingly explore regional mountain railways and lesser-known hiking areas, rather than concentrating only on internationally famous resorts, the economic benefits of summer tourism will be spread more widely.

Mountain railways create jobs, support mountain restaurants and contribute to the wider hotel, retail and leisure economies. In rural areas, stable summer visitor numbers can help reduce dependence on winter tourism.

The challenge is to manage that growth. More visitors generate additional revenue, but they also place pressure on roads, parking areas, trails, landscapes and local infrastructure. For mountain railways, it will therefore become increasingly important to combine growth with visitor management, public transport and carefully planned development.

Investment begins to pay off

The industry association also links the positive results to years of investment by mountain-railway companies. Many operators have professionalised their summer offerings and developed products aimed at a wider range of visitors.

Families want accessible experiences, hikers value well-maintained trails and dependable transport connections, while cyclists and active visitors look for specialised routes and downhill facilities. Events, seasonal dining options and digital booking systems have also become increasingly important.

The mountain railway is consequently evolving from a simple transport service into a central part of a broader tourism experience. This has changed the demands placed on operators. They must not only run lifts and cable cars, but also develop, market and connect a range of visitor products.

Winter remains essential

Despite the strong summer results, winter remains economically vital for most Swiss mountain railways. A successful summer cannot fully replace the winter season, but it can help stabilise revenue throughout the year.

A strong summer business also improves the use of lifts, staff and infrastructure. Hotels, restaurants and transport providers benefit from a longer tourism season. For mountain communities, that means existing capacity can be used more efficiently and dependence on a few peak winter weeks can be reduced.

The trend is also changing how destinations present themselves. Rather than promoting themselves solely as ski resorts, many mountain regions now market themselves as year-round destinations for hiking, cycling, families and relaxation.

A positive signal for the industry

The latest figures provide an encouraging signal for Switzerland’s mountain-railway sector. Growth was distributed across several regions, affected small and large companies alike, and was particularly strong at medium elevations. The summer of 2026 was therefore not simply a success story for a few high-profile destinations.

The golden September extended the season further. The key test will be whether demand remains strong in years with less favourable weather. Continued investment in attractive summer products, improved infrastructure and year-round positioning will likely become increasingly important.

For Swiss mountain railways, the figures represent more than a successful season. They show that the Alps are attracting a growing audience outside the ski season as well. The industry must now demonstrate that it can build on this momentum over the long term—achieving economic success, distributing the benefits across regions and managing the alpine environment responsibly.