An annual study of lift ticket prices from more than 600 ski areas in 40 countries worldwide has provided some statistics to back up trends most skiers have been aware of throughout the season – lift ticket prices are much higher for Brits travelling abroad.

The findings are published in the eighth edition of the World Ski Lift Ticket Price Report (2009) which converts six-day, high-season ticket prices published in 20 different currencies in to US dollars, European Euros and British pounds to allow for international comparison.
The Study found huge fluctuations in cost depending on where the skier lived and which country they were travelling to, compared to last year.

The change in price depending on where you live was reflected in the world average price, which for people in the Euro-zone increased by 4.9% from 174.33 to 182.90 Euros but for US citizens decreased by 8.5% from 258.00 to 236.00 Dollars. Brits fared the worst with six-day ticket costs up on average from £130.75 to £168.98 because of the weak pound – an increase of nearly 30% on average.

The price changes of course reflect currency fluctuations rather than price increases in resort and vary according to destination with prices to most European nations and Canada lower than to Japan, Switzerland and the US due to the strong Yen, Franc and Dollar.

After five or six years of a weakening US Dollar, Swiss Franc and a longer period of a weak Yen, the changes seem to indicate, for the time being at least, a return to cost differentials in the 1990s when the US was clearly the most expensive in the world and Switzerland the most expensive in Europe.

But it’s not that simple. Although Swiss headline prices are high, families may find skiing there cheaper than elsewhere in Europe because the country has the most generous child discounts with free places at many resorts until children are aged 8 or 9 (compared to 4 or 5 elsewhere) and then 50% off until aged 16 or 18 (a third off to 11 or 12 and full adult price from 12 or 13 elsewhere).

Similarly, although US headline prices are high, most resorts offer very flexible prices with much lower prices outside peak periods and further discounts for online, advance or package purchases.

That said, Report findings included 8 of the world’s top ten most expensive tickets are offered by ski resorts in Colorado, and 19 out of 20 were in the US. Deer Valley in Utah sold the world’s first $600+ ticket ($602) for Xmas/New Year week this season. An average six day US resort peak-season lift ticket cost of $408 is exactly double the average French ski resort peak season cost of $204 dollars.

The Matterhorn Ski Paradise which links Zermatt in Switzerland and Cervinia in Italy has leapt back up to the position it held six year’s ago as Europe’s most expensive at about £255 for six days, although the previous title holder, the French Mont Blanc regional pass that includes Chamonix and a dozen other passes at £230 for adults remains the more expensive for children.

The tiny principality of Andorra, once famous as a budget destination, now has Europe’s highest average lift ticket price at $245. The lowest priced six day pass in the world was found at Iran’s Tochal ski area near Tehran with a $51 cost. The weak British pound means skiing in Scotland is currently 20% cheaper for Americans.

On the upside for Brits, the Australian and New Zealand dollars are doing even worse than the pound meaning skiing in the southern hemisphere this year is the best value it has been for many years with prices down 10-15% on average.

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