New Study Reveals Ski Price Increases in Europe are Outpacing Inflation

A new study by luggage and ski equipment storage company, Radical Storage, reveals the increasing cost of skiing in Europe. Skiing and the winter sports industry is a huge business, especially in Europe. Around 400 million people visit ski resorts yearly, with the Alps accounting for more than half of this. 

With skiing accounting for 7% of Europe’s tourism industry, this popular sport sees many hit the slopes – but how much have skiing costs increased over time? Analysing ski pass data from 2015 to 2023 and calculating inflation using the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Consumer Price Index (CPI), this research has been able to uncover the rising costs of skiing in Europe.

The cost of skiing compared to inflation 

While Europe’s resorts continue to fight against climate change and economic uncertainty, it is perhaps unsurprising that the cost of skiing will rise above inflation. Overall, the cost of a day pass has risen by 34.8% above inflation since 2015, taking into account IMF figures from Europe’s respective countries. If skiing day passes were tied to inflation in their respective countries, Europe’s average would be around €50.10 per day, however, in reality, this cost is an average of €66.46 across the 100 most popular resorts on the continent. 

Resorts where prices have risen the most

Most affordable ski passes in Europe 2023/24

In the 2023/24 season, Serbia’s picturesque Kopaonik National Park is home to Europe’s cheapest slopes — costing just €37 per day. The region’s subalpine climate and sunny outlook make it perfect for skiers of all abilities on a budget. 

If you’re looking for skiing in the Alps, France’s Espace Diamant is, according to the analysis, the most affordable resort in the region. Located just a few miles from Mont Blanc and within a 90-minute drive of Geneva, a peak season day pass is just €47.50 — less than half the cost of resorts across the Swiss border.

Most expensive ski passes in Europe 2023/24

When it comes to Europe’s priciest passes, it should come as no surprise that Swiss resorts dominate the list. Overall, ski passes in the country average around €78.92, with Zermatt ski resort being the costliest in our research. Valais classic, Zermatt, has a wide range of skiing areas and a luxury village, but with a day pass costing €108, it is much higher than any other alternative in this analysis. Overall, skiers can save on average €71 a day, skiing at the cheapest resort, Kopaonik in Serbia compared to Zermatt.

Commenting on the findings, Giacomo Piva, Cofounder of Radical Storage, said the following: 

“Skiing in Europe is still recovering from the pandemic while being hit by unusually high temperatures and the impact of high inflation across the continent. It’s a challenging season and not a surprise that we’re seeing another price increase. A country’s specific inflationary impact is not, however, a direct indicator of how much the cost of skiing has changed, with many resorts vastly outpacing the rising price of goods this year. Skiing continues to be a leisure activity for those with good disposable income. However as our research shows, travellers can still find ski resorts across Europe where you get more value for money if you’re willing to stray away from the traditional household names. But, as we’re seeing with Bulgaria, don’t expect skiing secret spots to stay hidden and affordable for long.”

For the full research, please visit: https://travel.radicalstorage.com/cost-of-skiing-over-time/