Swiss Lift Co's are continuing a positive summer season

Swiss mountain railways are continuing their positive summer season. From the start of the season in May until the end of August 2026, first-time visitors across Switzerland are 7% higher than the previous year. Compared to the average of the past five years, the increase is even 27%. The Bernese Oberland continues to show particularly strong growth.

For its seasonal monitoring, the Swiss Cable Car Association (SBS) analyzes the number of visitors (first-time entries) from over 140 members throughout Switzerland. The figures now available allow for an analysis of the start of the 2026 summer season, from May to the end of August.

A warm and sunny August offers favorable conditions

Following the exceptionally hot July, the midsummer weather continued seamlessly into August. According to MeteoSwiss, the average temperature in Switzerland in August 2026 was 3.5 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. Combined with above-average sunshine hours, the weather offered ideal conditions for excursions and leisure activities in the mountains. This is also reflected in the figures: across Switzerland, first-time visitors from May to the end of August were 7% higher than the previous year.

Demand from different markets

The summer visitor mix remains pleasingly diverse: While Swiss residents and guests from neighboring countries are flocking to the mountain regions, long-haul markets – especially North America – are also showing a noticeable increase. In most regions, domestic and American demand is able to compensate for the decline in Asian visitors. Switzerland and its mountain railways are benefiting from their excellent reputation as a safe, unique, and easily accessible mountain experience. Seasonal monitoring underscores this broad demand and confirms the continued appeal of the Swiss mountains for day trips and holidays.

Regional differences

The results vary regionally. The Bernese Oberland recorded the most significant increase compared to the previous year, at 21%. One reason for this is the full operation of the Schilthorn cableway, which operated at a significantly reduced capacity last year due to renovations. Graubünden achieved growth of 11%, while the Vaud and Fribourg Alps (5%) and Central Switzerland (4%) exceeded the previous year's levels. In Valais and Ticino, however, demand remained stable at the previous year's level. Only Eastern Switzerland remained below the previous year's figure, with a decline of 4%, due to the discontinuation of the Säntis cable car. The cable car is being replaced by a new system this summer. Excluding this special effect, the railways in Eastern Switzerland recorded a 14% increase in visitors.

Visitor numbers significantly above the five-year average

Even in a longer-term comparison, the summer season presents a positive picture. Across Switzerland, first-time entries are 27% above the average of the past five years.

The Bernese Oberland continues to show the highest increase of all regions, at 58%. Central Switzerland, as well as the Vaud and Fribourg Alps, are also significantly above the five-year average, each at 28%. Graubünden saw an increase of 13%, Ticino 9%, and Valais 8%.

Eastern Switzerland is 5% below the five-year average. Here, too, the previously mentioned special effect of the discontinuation of the Säntis cable car must be taken into account.

Summer is trending

The growth in almost all regions and the clear lead over the five-year average clearly demonstrate that mountain railways can impress with their summer products. With temperatures as high as those in July and August, mountain railways offer an extremely attractive opportunity for active recreation in pleasant conditions.

“On hot summer days, the mountains offer ideal conditions for relaxation, exercise, and cooling off. At the same time, the mountain railways have strategically expanded their offerings in recent years and now appeal to a wide range of guests. It is also encouraging that demand was broadly based and that weaker impulses from individual long-haul markets could be compensated for by other source markets and domestic tourism,” says Berno Stoffel, Director of Swiss Cableways.