The first winter sports fans are expected in some of Switzerland’s ski areas this weekend, with the higher mountains already having up to two metres of snow. Some places are even opening early.
Skiing and snowboarding are possible – mostly at the weekends – in the eastern Alps, central Switzerland, in Valais and in the Bernese Oberland, according to a survey by the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA.
The snowfall during the last weekend in October has prompted several mountain railway companies to start at least some of their equipment early, the agency reported.
Two metres of snow has fallen at 2,000 metres above sea level in places south of the Alps, it has reached 1.5 metres between Goms in Valais and the Upper Engadine. Elsewhere in the Alps snowfall has been under 50 centimetres, MeteoSchweizExternal link said.
Ups and downs
In canton Graubünden, the resort of Laax has had to delay – at the very last minute -the start of its season from this Saturday due to wind gusts of up to 150 km/hour over the pistes. The storm blew away the snow so that the prepared pistes could not be continuously used, it saidExternal link. Some other areas of GraubündenExternal link are opening, like the Diavolezza ski area in Engadine
Overall, cable car companies have invested between CHF200 million and CHF300 million ($200 million to $300 milion), in the upcoming season, said chief spokesman Andreas Keller. The mood among the companies is very positive he added.
This comes after the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, which is part of theSwiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, said that expectations for the coming winter season were “positive”,
“Tourism demand will increase thanks to the positive economic situation at home and abroad,” a statementExternal link released on Wednesday said. It said on the assumption of average weather conditions, an increase in overnight stays of 2.3% is expected.
Mountain cable cars showed healthy figures last winter season due to the upswing in Swiss tourism and the good weather conditions, KOF remarked. The number of first entries to cable cars increased by over 10% for the first time in four years and KOF forecasts a slight increase of 0.3% for the coming winter. Nevertheless, the longer-term trend for first entries to cable cars remains slightly negative, it warned.
Popular Stories
More
Aging society
Is Switzerland repeating England’s housing mistakes?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
This content was published on
Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama
This content was published on
To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.
77th Swiss Gymnastics Festival praised for ‘positive energy’
This content was published on
The 77th Federal Gymnastics Festival drew to a close on Sunday in Lausanne, after eleven days of popular celebration and sporting performances.
This content was published on
Emergency crews contained the oil and began removing some of the pollution from the water’s surface, said the St Gallen cantonal police on Sunday.
Switzerland lifts sanctions on Syria after Assad’s fall
This content was published on
Switzerland is lifting economic sanctions on Syria, but targeted measures against figures linked to the former regime remain in place.
Thousands march in Bern calling for Gaza ceasefire
This content was published on
More than 10,000 people – or up to 20,000, according to organisers – marched through central Bern on Saturday afternoon in support for Gaza.
Zurich Pride draws large crowds amid financial strain
This content was published on
Following US President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity initiatives, Zurich Pride fears more sponsors could pull out and is now facing financial difficulties.
Switzerland ‘deeply alarmed’ by Middle East escalation
This content was published on
Switzerland has voiced serious concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, and the UN chief says he is ‘alarmed’ by US strikes on Iran.
Switzerland among world’s most expensive for household electricity
This content was published on
According to a study by the comparison site Verivox, based on data from Global Petrol Prices, Switzerland came in tenth out of 143 countries.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Winter tourists come in droves for snow and a weak franc
This content was published on
Good snow conditions and a weakening franc helped to boost tourism in Switzerland this winter, as foreign tourists flocked to the Alpine nation.
This content was published on
In the past almost two-thirds of Swiss territory was covered by snow; now it is only about half, according to satellite data.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.