Laurent Vanat Consultant

19, Margelle CH-1224 Genve

Tel / fax / messagerie : ( 41! "22 #49 $4 4" Courriel : vanat%vanat&'( )nternet : ***&vanat&'(

2013 International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism

Overview of the ke in!ustr fi"ures for ski resorts

Laurent Vanat

+,ril 2"1#

Ta$le of %ontents

)ntro3u'tion &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4 Glossar2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 5 T(e *orl3 s1i mar1et &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 6 7arti'i,ating 'ountries&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 6 .1i resorts an3 infrastru'ture &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $ 8volution of *orl3*i3e s1ier visits &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 1" Mar1et s(are of *orl3*i3e s1ier visits &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 11 .1iers ,er region of origin &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 11 9uture tren3s in mar1et s(are &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 1# Com,arative 1e2 figures&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 1# General :en'(mar1ing &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 1$ -

T(e +l,s &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 2" +ustria &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 2" 9ran'e &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 22 )tal2&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 2# .*it;erlan3 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 24 -

<estern 8uro,e&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 26 +n3orra &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 26 9inlan3&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 2$ German2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #" )'elan3 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #1 =or*a2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #2 .,ain &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - ## .*e3en&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #4 >nite3 ?ing3om &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #6

8astern 8uro,e an3 Central +sia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #9 +rmenia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - #9 @osnia / Her;egovina &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4" @ulgaria &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 42 C2,rus &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4# 8stonia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 44 C;e'( -e,u:li' &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 44 Georgia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 45 Gree'e &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 46 Hungar2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4" )ran &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4" ?a;a1(stan &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 42 ?2rg2;stan &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4# Aatvia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 44 Ait(uania &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 44 Ma'e3onia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 45 Montenegro&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 46 7olan3 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 4$ -omania &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 5" -ussia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 51 .er:ia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 5# .lova1ia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 54 .lovenia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 55 Tur1e2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 5$
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #2#

Laurent Vanat

>1raine &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 59 -

T(e +meri'as &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 62 +rgentina &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 62 Cana3a&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 64 C(ile &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 65 >nite3 .tates &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 6$ -

+sia an3 7a'ifi' &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $1 +ustralia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $1 C(ina &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $# )n3ia &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $4 Ba,an &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $6 =e* Cealan3 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - $$ .out( ?orea&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 9"

Darious &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 9# Aesot(o &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 9# .out( +fri'a &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 94 -

Con'lusion &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 95 .our'es an3 a'1no*le3gments &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& - 9$ -

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #3#

Laurent Vanat is an in3e,en3ent 'onsultant *it( s1ills as a general ,ra'titioner an3 a s,e'ialist& <it( a MasterEs 3egree in 'ommer'ial / in3ustrial s'ien'es from t(e >niversit2 of Geneva, (e (as over 24 2ears of ,rofessional ex,erien'e as :ot( a :usiness 'onsultant an3 a senior exe'utive in u,,er management& He ,ossesses exe'utive ex,erien'e in sales, finan'e an3 general management on t(e one (an3, an3 a3vises 'om,anies an3 organi;ations of all (ori;ons on t(e ot(er& T(is :roa3 ex,erien'e means t(at Mr& Danat is *ell a'Fuainte3 *it( numerous in3ustries& Heavil2 involve3 in t(e tourism, (os,italit2 / leisure in3ustr2, Mr& Danat (as 'losel2 follo*e3 t(e s1i area in3ustr2 for several 2ears& Guring several 2ears, (e ,u:lis(e3 a 'om,re(ensive overvie* of t(e mar1et& T(is re,ort too1 a :roa3 a,,roa'( to examining t(e 8uro,ean an3 <orl3 mar1ets in sear'( of ne* information, an3 (as t(us follo*e3 '(anges over time an3 ,rovi3e3 ne* i3eas to o,erators& T(is overvie*, sele'tivel2 3istri:ute3, (as alrea32 :een *ell-utili;e3 :2 large organi;ations a'tive in mountain tourism& 0ne of t(e 1e2 o:He'tives *as to fee3 t(e t(oug(t ,ro'ess of t(e in3ustr2 an3 to ren3er lo'al a'tors more a*are of 1e2 '(anges an3 ne* i3eas& )n its sear'( for information on s1i areas, Mr& Danat Fui'1l2 un3erstoo3 t(e im,ortan'e of tra'1ing s1ier visits an3 'olle'ting statisti'al 3ata& =oting t(e 3iffi'ult2 in 'onsoli3ating t(is information for t(e .*iss mar1et, (e foun3 a *a2 to 'ontri:ute to t(e in3ustr2 :2 ta1ing t(e initiative to attem,t a s2stemati' 'olle'tion of visitor 3ata& 9or several 'onse'utive 2ears, t(is 3o'ument (as :een an a'1no*le3ge3 referen'e for .*it;erlan3& )n or3er to anal2;e t(e 'om,etitive ,osition of maHor ,la2ers, via invitation from lea3ing in3ustr2 :o3ies an3 tourism 'onferen'es, (e exten3e3 t(e s'o,e of t(e resear'( to ,ro3u'e an overvie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures *orl3*i3e& 9or several 2ears no*, t(e )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism (as :een a referen'e resour'e& Coverage ex,an3s ever2 2ear, along *it( t(e u,3ate of maHor figures&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #&#

Intro!u%tion
@2 ex,an3ing t(e s'o,e of t(is re,ort, *(i'( inten3s to soon ,rovi3e full 'overage of ever2 s1i 'ountr2, several non-mountainous 3estinations (ave no* :een in'lu3e3& T(is reFuire3 re'onsi3ering t(e title of t(e re,ort, *(i'( (as :een slig(tl2 mo3ifie3 to ta1e nonmountainous 'ountries into 'onsi3eration& T(e title is no* t(e In# ternational Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism an3 features an a33itional set of ne* 'ountries su'( as C2,rus, 8stonia, Aesot(o, Aatvia, Ait(uania, Ma'e3onia, Montenegro, .er:ia an3 t(e >nite3 ?ing3om& )n t(is 4t( e3ition, as *it( ,rior e3itions, t(e o,tion of u,3ating an3 a33ing ne* information to t(e original 3o'ument *ill 'ontinue in or3er to ,rovi3e a 'om,re(ensive an3 relia:le referen'e, rat(er t(an limiting t(e exer'ise to sim,l2 ,u:lis(ing u,3ates& )n fa't, t(e goal of t(is 3o'ument is to :e t(e in3ustr2 referen'e& T(erefore, rea3ers of former e3itions s(oul3 :e a*are t(at some 3ata ma2 (ave :een amen3e3, *it( t(e goal of al*a2s see1ing to im,rove t(e a''ura'2 of t(is re,ort& T(e 3ata is 'onstantl2 :eing u,3ate3 3e,en3ing on ne* statisti's ma3e availa:le& <(en ne* sour'es a,,ear more relia:le, ne'essar2 amen3ments (ave also :een ma3e& .in'e some 'ountries re,resent relativel2 small mar1ets 'om,are3 to al,ine regions, t(e2 are not as *ell 1no*n& T(erefore, for t(ese 'ountries, t(e re,ort enters into more 3etail t(an *it( t(e most familiar mar1ets& )n or3er to ensure furt(er 3evelo,ment of t(is *or1, on'e again a 'all for 3ata 'ontri:utions from national asso'iations an3 all ot(er national entities an3 organi;ations involve3 in t(e in3ustr2 is a,,ro,riate (,lease refer to t(e last ,age of t(e 3o'ument for 3etaile3 referen'es!&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #'#

)lossar
*lpine %ountr : t(ose 'ountries t(at are ,art of t(e 8uro,ean +l,s (+ustria, 9ran'e, )tal2 an3 .*it;erlan3!& +RM, Customer -elations(i, ManagementI an information s2stem t(at ena:les t(e re'or3ing of 'ustomer 3ata an3 ,ersonali;e3 follo* u,& -IS, )nternational .1i 9e3eration, :ase3 in .*it;erlan3& )t *as foun3e3 in 1924 an3 no* 'om,rises 1"6 national s1i asso'iations& )ts mission is to ,romote an3 3ire't t(e 3evelo,ment of s1i an3 sno*:oar3ing a'tivities *orl3*i3e, an3 monitor 'om,etition& .ourl lift output /skiers0hour1, T(e manufa'turerEs rate3 num:er of s1iers ,er (our a lift 'an trans,ort to t(e to, of t(e lift& Total 'ountr2 'a,a'it2 is t(e sum of all t(e in3ivi3ual lift 'a,a'ities& 2um$er of skiers transporte! per ear, Meant :2 num:er of ,assengers trans,orte3 ,er liftI one s1ier ta1ing t(e same lift 4 times a''ounts for 4 s1iers trans,orte3, also referre3 to as freFuen'ies& 2ational parti%ipation rate, s1iers as a ,er'entage of t(e total 'ountr2 ,o,ulation& Ski area, a 3esignate3 ,la'e *(ere one s1is (in some 'ountries, t(ese areas ma2 not (ave lifts!& Ski resort, + s1i resort is 'onsi3ere3 as an organi;e3 s1i area *it( more t(an four lifts& Skier visits /or skier#!a s1, 0ne ,erson visiting a s1i area for all or an2 ,art of a 3a2 or nig(t for t(e ,ur,ose of s1iing, sno*:oar3ing, or ot(er 3o*n(ill sli3ing& .1ier visits in'lu3e full-3a2, (alf-3a2, nig(t, 'om,limentar2, a3ult, '(il3, season ,ass an3 an2 ot(er t2,e of ti'1et t(at gives a s1ier/sno*:oar3er t(e use of an areaJs fa'ilities& + s1ier s1iing for a *(ole *ee1 in a resort a''ounts for 6 s1ier visits for instan'e& Skier, 0ne ,erson ,arti'i,ating in s1iing, sno*:oar3ing or ot(er 3o*n(ill sli3ing, in3e,en3ent of t(e rate of ,ra'ti'e&

Laurent Vanat

Verti%al Transport Meters per .our /VTM.1, 7ro3u't of ea'( in3ivi3ual liftEs (ourl2 'a,a'it2 multi,lie3 :2 t(e verti'al 3ro, (t(e figure is usuall2 ex,resse3 in t(ousan3s!&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #(#

The worl! ski market

4arti%ipatin" %ountries
0ne 'onsi3ers t(at t(ere are a:out $" 'ountries in t(e *orl3 *(ere s1iing is an a'tivit2& +mong t(ese, roug(l2 6" 'ountries offer o,en air s1i areas, t(e :alan'e (aving onl2 in3oor fa'ilities1& 8ven if sno* fiel3s are mu'( more numerous2, a:out 2E""" s1i resorts (ave :een i3entifie3 *orl3*i3e& @esi3es t(e maHor s1i 3estinations in terms of visits, s(o*n in :lue on t(e ma, :elo*, t(ere are a num:er of ot(er, smaller 3estinations, *(ere s1iing (as :een an in3ustr2 for a long time, or is 'urrentl2 3evelo,ing& T(e most o:vious ne* 3estinations are 8astern 8uro,e an3 C(ina, :ut t(ere are a num:er of ot(er small ,la2ers, s,rea3 out a'ross t(e glo:e: +lgeria, C2,rus, Gree'e, )n3ia, )ran, )srael, Ae:anon, Aesot(o, Moro''o, =e* Cealan3, 7a1istan, .out( +fri'a, Tur1e2 an3 man2 more&

T(e in3ustr2 'urrentl2 offers a:out 5 million 'ommer'ial :e3s in t(e mountains& T(ese are ,rimaril2 'on'entrate3 in t(e in3ustriali;e3 s1i mar1ets, *(i'( (ave a (ig( volume of s1ier visits&

1 2

T(ere are a:out 5" in3oor sno* 'enters o,erating in 24 'ountries aroun3 t(e *orl3 8stimate is 4J""" to 5J""" 3esignate3 areas for s1iing

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #3#

Ski resorts an! infrastru%ture

@ase3 on t(e latest situation, t(e 1e2 figures for s1i resorts an3 t(eir eFui,ment are ,resente3 in follo*ing ta:les&

6istri$ution of the num$er of ski resorts worl!wi!e /27110 resorts1: More t(an one t(ir3 of all s1i resorts are lo'ate3 in t(e +l,s#&

*sia & 4a%ifi% 189

Various 09

*lps 3'9

*meri%a 219 :ast 129 :urope 139

6istri$ution of the num$er of lifts worl!wi!e /2(7518 lifts1, T(e num:er of lifts em,(asi;es t(e *eig(t of t(e +l,s in t(e in3ustr2&

*sia & 4a%ifi% 1&9 *meri%a 1(9

Various 09

*lps 389

:ast 1&9

:urope 139

Laurent Vanat

6istri$ution of the num$er of ma;or re# sorts worl!wi!e /&5 resorts1, T(ere are a limite3 num:er of maHor resorts *orl3*i3e4& More t(an 64K of t(em are lo'ate3 in t(e +l,s&

*meri%a 139 <estern :urope (9

*lps 339

# 4

)n t(e '(arts, 8astern 8uro,e an3 Central +sia (ave :een 3esignate3 as 8ast& + resort is 'onsi3ere3 as maHor if its atten3an'e rea'(es over 1 million s1ier visits ,er *inter season&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #5#

T(e maHor s1i resorts *orl3*i3e (ave :een ran1e3 :elo* on t(e :asis of t(eir average annual s1ier visits4 3uring t(e last fe* *inter seasons&

La 4la"ne Ski<elt <il!er >aiser Les *r%s +our%hevel#M?ri$el#Mottaret >it@$uehl Is%h"l0Samnaun Silvretta Saal$a%h .inter"lemm Leo"an" LA*lpe !A.ue@ <histler Bla%k%om$ Val Thorens Soel!en Val )ar!ena Sestriere Via Lattea Cillertal 3000 #Ma rhofen Les M?nuires )ran! Valira Ti"nes -la%hau#<a"rein#* lpen!orf 6avos#>losters Cermatt Bre%kenri!"e Serre#+hevallier Mammoth Vail +hamoniD St= Morit@ * !el$o!en#Lenk 4lanai#.o%hwur@en#.auser# Val !AIsEre Les 6euD#*lpes -laine#Morillon#Samoens#SiDt Serfaus#-iss#La!is Cillertalarena St= *nton0St= Fun"fraure"ion *lta Ba!ia >e stone Ver$ier *voria@ )staa!#Re"ion Gre +ortina !A*mpe@@o M?ri$el Steam$oat >illin"ton .o%h@illertal#.o%hfue"en# +opper Mountain Sierra 2eva!a

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3=0

-i"ure 1, Top worl! resorts in millions of skier visits

Most of t(e in3ustr2 is 'on'entrate3 aroun3 t(e resorts t(at generate more t(an 1""E""" s1ier visits ,er 2ear& 8ven if t(e2 onl2 a''ount for 2"K of t(e resorts, t(e2 a''ount for $"K of all s1ier visits& +lt(oug( often im,ortant at a regional level, t(e altitu3e of a s1i resort is not reall2 an im,ortant :en'(mar1 *orl3*i3e, sin'e at some
4

7u:li'i;e3 3ata or estimates *(en reFuire3&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# #8#

,la'es aroun3 t(e glo:e one 'an s1i at sea level, *(ereas in ot(er 'ountries, one nee3s to :e at t(e (ig(er elevations to a''ess 3e'ent sno* 'on3itions&

:volution of worl!wi!e skier visits

+lt(oug( 3ata 'olle'tion *it(in t(e in3ustr2 is not al*a2s *ell organi;e3 an3 2earl2 num:er of visits ma2 var2 3ue to *eat(er 'on3itions, for several 2ears t(e estimate (as :een an overall 3ra* of a,,roximatel2 4"" million s1ier visits *orl3*i3e5& T(e assum,tion is t(at figures (ave :een sta:le over t(e last 1" 2ears, as maHor mature mar1ets ex,erien'e3 re3u'e3 gro*t( (*(en not ex,erien'ing a 3ramati' 3e'line as *it( Ba,an!, *(ile ot(er mar1ets *ere emerging& T(e '(art :elo* a,,ears to 'onfirm t(is assume3 tren3, an3 refle'ts t(e evolution of s1ier visits in t(ose 'ountries 'onsi3ere3 to :e a large sam,le6 of t(e most signifi'ant in3ustr2 ,la2ers over t(e last 3e'a3e&

&00 3'0 300 2'0 200 1'0 100 '0 0

20 00 # 20 01 01 # 20 02 02 # 20 03 03 # 20 0& 0& # 20 0' 0' # 20 0( 0( # 20 03 03 # 20 05 05 # 20 08 08 # 20 10 10 # 20 11 11 #1 2

Laurent Vanat

Swe!en Spain Slovenia 2orwa 2ew Cealan! >oreaH South )erman -inlan! +hina *ustralia *n!orra Inite! States Swit@erlan! Fapan Ital -ran%e +ana!a *ustria

-i"ure 2, :volution of skier visits in millions

)n'lu3ing visitors to in3oor s1i 'enters& T(is sam,le refers to t(e 'ountries *(ere s1ier visits are measure3 an3 ,u:li'i;e3 on a 2earl2 :asis& )n s,ite of t(e ver2 re,resentative sam,le, it is of 'ourse not a 'om,re(ensive sam,le of all 'ountries *it( s1i areas&
6

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 10 #

Market share of worl!wi!e skier visits

T(e relative im,ortan'e of t(e maHor 3estinations is s(o*e3 in t(e ,ie '(art :elo*& Clearl2, t(e +l,s are t(e :iggest s1i 3estination in t(e *orl3, 'a,turing 44K of s1ier visits& T(e se'on3 :iggest 3estination is +meri'a (mostl2 =ort( +meri'a!, a''ounting for 22K of s1ier visits *orl3*i3e&

*sia & 4a%ifi% 1&9

Various 09 *lps &&9

*meri%a 229 :ast 89

:urope 119

-i"ure 3 , repartition of skier visits worl!wi!e

+sia / 7a'ifi' use3 to (ave t(e same mar1et s(are as +meri'a& Ho*ever, t(e 'ontinuous 3e'line of t(e in3ustr2 in Ba,an (as still not :een re,la'e3 :2 t(e gro*ing s1i mar1ets in .out( ?orea an3 C(ina& )n t(e long term, 'ountries su'( as )n3ia an3 7a1istan ma2 Hoin t(em an3 'ontri:ute to in'reasing t(e *eig(t of +sia in t(e international s,rea3 of s1ier visits& =ort(ern, .out(ern an3 <estern 8uro,ean non al,ine 'ountries (grou,e3 un3er t(e la:el of <estern 8uro,e! also attra't 11K of t(e mar1et, even if s1ier visits are s,rea3 ,rimaril2 over a large num:er of small resorts&

Skiers per re"ion of ori"in

T(e total num:er of s1iers *orl3*i3e *as estimate3 :ase3 on :ot( t(e num:er of s1ier visits in t(e various 'ountries as *ell as on t(e national rates of ,arti'i,ation$& T(e figure is 'urrentl2 estimate3 to
$ )t must (o*ever :e stresse3 t(at t(e num:er of 3a2s ,er ,otential s1ier ma2 var2 signifi'antl2 from one 'ountr2 to anot(er& .1iers (ave :een 'onsi3ere3 in3e,en3ent of t(eir rate of ,arti'i,ation&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 11 #

:e at 114 million9 an3 seems to :e gro*ing over t(e long term1"& +lt(oug( some 'ountries (ave no s1i areas (in some instan'es onl2 s1i 3omes!, t(e2 (ave s1iers *(o s1i a:roa3& 9or exam,le, t(is is t(e 'ase *it( t(e =et(erlan3s, *(i'( a''ounts for more t(an 1 million out:oun3 s1iers&

*sia & 4a%ifi% 209

Various 19

*lps 209

*meri%a 189

:ast 139

:urope 239

-i"ure &, !istri$ution of skiers $ re"ion of ori"in

T(is '(art, 'om,aring to s1ier visits, 'learl2 s(o*s t(e regions t(at are ex,orters of s1iers an3 t(ose t(at are re'i,ients& T(e +l,s is t(e most internationall2 visite3 s1i 3estination, attra'ting most of t(e in:oun3 s1ier travel& 8ven t(oug( it (osts 44K of s1ier visits, it onl2 ,ro3u'es 2"K of t(e s1iers& =o ot(er region (as su'( a (ig( ,ro,ortion of foreign visitors& T2,i'all2 for +meri'a, its s(are of *orl3*i3e s1ier visits roug(l2 mat'(es its s(are of s1iers& T(e international flo* of s1iers is ,rimaril2 'on'entrate3 *it(in 8uro,e& 9or instan'e, overseas s1iers re,resente3 onl2 #&1K of total s1ier visits to >&.& s1i resorts in 2""6/"$& T(e *eig(t of international 'ustomers is limite3 for most s1i 3estination 'ountries& Moreover, t(e international 'at'(ment areas are also limite3, 3ue to various fa'tors su'( as mar1et si;e, trans,ortation, travel time an3 'osts, an3 ,ossi:le saturation of air,orts at s1i 3estinations in 8uro,e& 0ut:oun3 8uro,ean mar1ets are not in'reasing :ut *ill :e s,rea3 over more 3estinations in t(e future& 9or instan'e, @ritis( 'ustomers familiar *it( t(e +l,s an3 +n3orra no* also (ave ot(er 3estinations to '(oose
.in'e t(e 2"1" e3ition of t(is re,ort, some im,ortant mar1ets ,ro3u'e3 more relia:le figures, or revise3 figures of ,revious estimates for national s1iers& T(us t(e '(ange 'om,are3 to ,revious 2ear is not signifi'ant of a s(ort term variation& 1" )nterestingl2, t(is is not 2et refle'te3 in t(e evolution of s1ier visits, as t(e ,arti'i,ation rate of ne* entrants is still lo*er t(an t(ose of 3e'lining s1iing ,o,ulations&
9

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 12 #

from su'( as @ulgaria, -omania, .lova1ia, et'& )t is also foreseea:le t(at t(e ne* mar1ets *ill su,,l2 t(emselves at a regional level& T(e re'ent gro*t( of s1iing in +sia *ill fee3 resorts in Ba,an an3 .out( ?orea, :efore eventuall2, if ever, :enefiting resorts in t(e 8uro,ean +l,s or =ort( +meri'a&

-uture tren!s in market share

)t also a,,ears from figures # an3 4 t(at t(e regions of 8astern 8uro,e an3 +sia / 7a'ifi' ,rovi3e for ##K of t(e s1iers *orl3*i3e, :ut onl2 ,ro3u'e, at t(is stage, 2#K of s1ier visits& T(ese regions 'learl2 re,resent t(e future gro*t( ,otential of t(e mar1et& @esi3es, a loo1 at ne* 3eliveries of lifts 'onfirms t(at 8astern 8uro,ean an3 +sian 'ountries are :uil3ing u, at a (ig(er rate t(an t(e more tra3itional s1i regions, if t(e figures are anal2;e3 in relative terms& )n a33ition, *it( t(e ex'e,tion of one resort in Cana3a11, no ne* resorts (ave :een 'reate3 in t(e tra3itional mar1ets& +lt(oug( 'onsum,tion ,atterns of s1iing in 'ountries li1e C(ina still nee3 to :e 'onfirme3 on a :roa3er s'ale, it is li1el2 t(at t(e 8astern 8uro,ean an3 +sian mar1ets *ill gro* t(eir s1ier visit figures over t(e ne* 3e'a3e& T(e2 ma2 en3 u, rea'(ing t(e *eig(t eFuivalent of t(e ot(er maHor regions in terms of s1iers :2 t(e 2ear 2"2"& )f t(is gro*t( o''urs *it(out affe'ting s1ier visits at *estern resorts, an3 ,rovi3e3 t(e2 fin3 a3eFuate *a2s to a33ress t(e generational issue, *orl3*i3e s1ier visits ma2 t(en in'rease to over 42" million :2 t(is 3ate&

+omparative ke fi"ures
Darious organi;ations an3 entities usuall2 'olle't s1i resort 3ata at a national level& T(is information (as :een 'om,ile3 to ,ro3u'e an international overvie* of t(e 1e2 figures of t(e in3ustr2& 9or some 'ountries, sin'e 3ata is la'1ing or in'om,lete, some resear'( (as :een 'on3u'te3 in or3er to eit(er 'olle't an3 'onsoli3ate 3etaile3 national 3ata or to extra,olate figures :ase3 on 1no*n :en'(mar1s&
11

-evelsto1e Moutain, Cana3a, o,ene3 in 2""6 *it( a gon3ola an3 a fe* '(airlifts& )ts goal is to offer t(e greatest lift-serve3 verti'al 3ro, in +meri'a& Total fore'aste3 investment is >.G 1 :illion over 14 2ears&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 13 #

=umerous sour'es *ere '(e'1e3 to ensure t(e most a''urate figures& .ome general information *as also ,rovi3e3 from glo:al 3ire'tories or statisti's& +lt(oug( some 3efinitions ma2 var2 from one 'ountr2 to anot(er, t(e ta:le ,resente3 on t(e follo*ing ,ages summari;es some of t(e 1e2 'om,arative figures for t(e in3ustr212& T(e2 are ,rovi3e3 for a large range of s1i 'ountries, re,resenting 99K of t(e total mar1et in terms of s1ier visits& Continuous efforts (ave :een ma3e to :roa3en t(e s'o,e of t(is re,ort& >n3er t(e 'ountr2 revie* se'tion, '(arts are ,resente3 for t(ose *(ere atten3an'e at s1i resorts is measure3 an3 'onsoli3ate3 on a 2earl2 :asis& 0n t(e '(arts, in a33ition to 2earl2 3ata, t(e evolution of t(e 4 2ear average (as also :een in'lu3e3 (:lue line!& )t (el,s to un3erstan3 t(e long term tren3 for ea'( of t(ese mar1ets&

2' Jears Of Mo!ern In!oor Snow +enters 2"1# mar1s 24 2ears sin'e t(e first of t(e 'urrent mo3ern in3oor sno* 'enters *ere 'reate3& T(ree in3oor sno* 'enters o,ene3 aroun3 19$$ in +ustralia (Mount T(e@arton!, Ba,an (.1i )n Tsu3anuma! an3 in @elgium (.1i:aan Casa:lan'a!& >nfortunatel2 all t(ree 'enters (ave sin'e 'lose3& 8arlier versions of in3oor sno* 'enters 3ate :a'1 to t(e 192"Es in @erlin an3 Dienna an3 in t(e earl2 194"Es a 'om,lex using 'rus(e3 i'e as a sno* surfa'e for ,art of t(e 2ear o,ene3 in .ei:u, Ba,an& =o* fitte3 *it( an artifi'ial slo,e surfa'e un3er t(e sno*, t(is 'om,lex 'ele:rate3 5" 2ears of o,erations in 2"12& T(e longest esta:lis(e3 an3 still o,erational real sno* in3oor sno* 'entre is generall2 agree3 to :e Tam*ort( .no*3ome in t(e >? *(i'( o,ene3 in 199#& )t is 2" 2ears ol3 t(is 2ear& + small earlier test fa'ilit2 at near:2 Telfor3, *(i'( *as o,ene3 in 19$9 :2 o,erator +'er .no*me' *(o (as gone on to ma1e sno* for man2 of t(e *orl3Es lea3ing in3oor sno* fa'ilities, also o,ene3 to t(e ,u:li' in 199# :ut (as sin'e 'lose3& 0ne of t(e *orl3Es largest ever in3oor sno* 'enters, t(e ..+<. in3oor sno* 'enter in To12o Har:or, also o,ene3 in 199# Hust after t(e Ba,anese :u::le e'onom2 :urst, an3 never re'ou,e3 its >.G #"" million 'onstru'tion 'ost :efore 'losing in 2""2&

Laurent Vanat

12

7lease refer to t(e Glossar2 at t(e front of t(e 3o'ument for furt(er 3efinitions of t(e terms em,lo2e3&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 1& #

+roun3 $" in3oor sno* 'enters (ave :een :uilt in a,,roximatel2 #" 'ountries over t(e ,ast 24 2ears, an3 aroun3 4" are still o,erational, *it( t(e most (5 ! in German2, Ba,an, t(e =et(erlan3s an3 t(e >?& T(e largest in terms of slo,e surfa'e area is .no**orl3 Aan3graaf, in t(e =et(erlan3s, an3 in terms of slo,e lengt( is t(e +mneville .no* Hall in 9ran'e&

.our'e : .no*(unter

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 1' #

LauLaurent renVanat t Vanat

2um$er of ski areas1# +ountr +n3orra # +rgentina 22 +rmenia # +ustralia 1" +ustria 244 @osnia an3 Her;egovina 11 @ulgaria #2 Cana3a 2$$ C(ile 21 C(ina #4" C2,rus 1 C;e'( -e,u:li' 165 8stonia 9 9inlan3 65 9ran'e #24 Georgia 4 German2 41" Gree'e 22 Hungar2 #4 )'elan3 1# )n3ia 14 )ran 19 )tal2 #49
1# 14 14 15 16

2um$er of are# as K & lifts # 1" 1 6 199 4 6 6# 9 66 " 6" 1 #" 2## 2 $2 5 4 2 1 4 215

2um$er of ma;or 2ational Skier resorts parti%ipation 2um$er Rankin" *rrivals of 4roportion 14 visits /K1 2um$er rate /in 9 of skiers in worl! international forei"n 14 mio SV1 /SV1 SV0lift tourists skiers of lifts 4opulation population1 /national1 tourism 1 14" 2J2""J$"5 14J62" $2J526 2"&"K 15J424 L=/+ 1J$#"J""" 94&"K " 144 1J4""J""" 1"J#44 4"J4$2J""" 2&4K 1J"12J"4" 44 4J#""J""" 24&"K " 6 4"J""" 6J14# 2J95$J4$5 2&"K 49J#62 L=/+ 464J""" 2&"K " 14$ 2J"49J4"" 1#J"#4 21J""6J#1" 2&"K 42"J145 4" 4J5""J""" 1&4K 12 #J"2$ 42J952J""" 16J491 $J2"4J4## #5&"K 2J94#J992 12 21J4""J""" 55&"K " #4 4""J""" 11J429 4J49"J#1" 4&"K 229J415 L=/+ #11J""" 4"&"K " 11" 1J2""J""" 1"J9"9 6J252J564 4&"K #5#J1#4 #9 4J6""J""" 24&"K 1 922 19J"55J2"" 2"J569 ##J212J595 14&"K 4J9$1J9"4 14 14J$""J""" 14&#K " 122 1J24"J""" 1"J245 15J444J14# #&"K 49#J524 L=/+ 2J64"J""" 14&"K " $59 4J54"J""" 5J49" 1J##"J"44J444 "&4K 4J"44J159 4 4"J9""J""" "&4K " 4 2"J""" 4J""" 692J5"4 1&"K 6J925 L=/+ 2J141J""" "&"K " $15 $J6""J""" 1"J552 1"J22"J911 2"&"K 2J"44J1$2 #5 5J1""J""" #4&"K " 16 124J""" 6J#4# 1J#"6J5"4 4&"K 54J#$" L=/+ 1J96"J""" 4&"K " #64 2J694J""" 6J461 4J244J649 24&"K 1J24$J64" 4" #J42#J""" 16&"K 14 #J494 44J545J""" 14J469 54J"46J692 19&"K 12J16"J9$" 1 64J2""J""" 2$&"K " 14 1""J""" 6J14# 4J5#"J$41 2&"K 92J516 L=/+ 1J"42J""" 1"&"K " 1J$26 14J#22J""" 6J$#9 $2J#59J442 1$&"K 14J$25J419 9 24J2""J""" 1"&"K " 111 $""J""" 6J2"6 1"J622J$15 2&"K 214J445 15 14J9""J""" 1"&"K " 6" 4""J""" 6J14# 9J9#"J914 4&"K 495J445 25 9J1""J""" 1"&"K " 49 24"J""" 4J1"2 #"4J#56 2"&"K 5"J$6# L=/+ 1J2#4J""" 4&"K " 22 2""J""" 9J"91 1J146J994J9"4 "&1K 1J146J995 41 4J1""J""" 1&"K " 41 4""J""" 9J$"4 54J$64J224 1&"K 54$J642 L=/+ 2J"#4J""" 1&"K 4 2J126 2$J25"J""" 1#J2$5 4$J144J#2" $&"K 4J541J525 4 4#J2""J""" 14&"K

SV per inha$itant15 1&## "&"# "&"2 "&1" 2&19 "&"4 "&12 "&49 "&"5 "&"" "&"# "&44 "&"9 "&44 "&5# "&"2 "&15 "&"6 "&"4 "&6$ "&"" "&"1 "&41

SV per forei"n visitor16 1&14 "&"9 "&"" "&"1 1&5# "&54 "&"4 "&16 "&"6 "&"" "&"" "&4" "&"" "&14 "&21 "&"1 "&"5 "&"1 "&"1 "&"1 "&"" "&"" "&1"

T(e num:er of s1i areas in'lu3es some ver2 small ones, for instan'e in 9ran'e, onl2 2## areas (ave more t(an 4 lifts an3 'on'entrate most of t(e a'tivit2 +verage last 4 seasons or estimate @ase3 on arrivals of international tourists (<T0! -atio of 3omesti' s1ier visits 3ivi3e3 :2 t(e ,o,ulation& -atio of s1ier visits of foreign visitors 3ivi3e3 :2 t(e total num:er of foreign visitors&

+ountr Ba,an ?a;a1(stan ?orea, .out( ?2rg2;stan Aatvia Aesot(o Ait(uania Ma'e3onia Montenegro =e* Cealan3 =or*a2 7olan3 -omania -ussia .er:ia .lova1ia .lovenia .out( +fri'a .,ain .*e3en .*it;erlan3 Tur1e2 >1raine >nite3 ?ing3om >nite3 .tates

2um$er of ski areas1# 446 1" 1$ 15 25 1 11 $ 4 24 21# 1$2 44 16" #1 91 44 1 #4 22$ 24" 24 41 1" 4$1

2um$er of are# as K & lifts 2$" 2 15 1 4 " " 2 2 1" 4" 1# 4 #1 2 46 24 " #" 59 1"2 5 $ 4 #44

2um$er of ma;or Skier resorts visits14 /K1 2um$er of lifts mio SV1 /SV1 SV0lift " 2J422 #4J554J64# 14J625 " 24 24"J""" 1"J""" " 14" 5J496J229 4#J9$2 " 24 1""J""" 4J156 " 66 $""J""" 1"J#9" " 1 12J""" 12J""" " 19 2""J""" 1"J425 " #4 #""J""" $J$24 " 2# 24"J""" 1"J$6" " 1"" 1J424J142 14J242 " 556 5J#1"J""" 9J45" " $#2 4J"""J""" 5J"1" " 141 1J2""J""" $J411 " 414 #J"""J""" 6J245 " 54 54"J""" 1"J145 " 446 4J"""J""" 9J141 " 216 1J#96J12$ 5J4#$ " 4 24J""" 5J24" 1 #5" 4J$5#J661 15J2$$ 1 $2" 6J99"J$"" 9J644 6 1J649 26J2""J1$5 14J442 " 1"2 1J"""J""" 9J$"4 " 9$ $""J""" $J15# " 124 224J1#" 1J$"$ 6 2J96" 46J644J#99 19J44#

4opulation 126J2$$J415 14J#4"J4## 4$J#69J#92 4J#45J$59 2J244J42# 2J12$J1$" #J454J2"4 2J"51J#14 56$J166 4J16#J45" 4J544J446 #$J4""J595 22J245J$52 14"J6"2J"95 1"J149J"45 4J444J4"6 2J""6J611 4$J6$2J645 4"J491J"42 9J"44J#$9 6J4$1J42" 61J$92J$"$ 44J994J2$$ 5"J94#J912 #"#J$24J54"

2ational parti%ipation 2um$er Rankin" *rrivals of 4roportion rate /in 9 of skiers in worl! international forei"n 14 tourists skiers population1 /national1 tourism 9&"K 11J444J946 2$ 5J$""J""" #&"K 1&4K 2#"J1"$ L=/+ #J446J""" 2&"K 5&"K 2J9"2J654 #4 6J$""J""" 1"&"K 1&"K 4#J459 L=/+ 2J146J""" 2"&"K 1"&"K 224J442 L=/+ 1J5$4J""" 14&"K "&1K 2J12$ L=/+ #2"J""" 9"&"K 4&"K 16$J25" L=/+ 1J511J""" 1"&"K 6&4K 144J499 L=/+ 249J""" 1"&"K 1"&"K 56J$1$ L=/+ 1J"44J""" 24&"K 6&"K 292J142 L=/+ 2J44$J""" #5&"K 24&"K 1J151J114 45 4J#""J""" $&"K 5&"K 2J#1"J"42 19 11J9""J""" 1"&"K #&"K 556J4"5 L=/+ 1J262J""" 4&"K 2&4K #J416J442 1# 19J4""J""" 2&"K #&"K #"4J661 L=/+ 5$#J""" 2"&"K 1$&"K 9$1J96# L=/+ 1J29$J""" 24&"K 14&"K #"1J146 L=/+ 1J55$J""" 16&"K "&2K 96J455 24 6J"""J""" "&"K 4&"K 2J"24J44# # 42J2""J""" 1"&"K 2"&"K 1J$"9J"6$ #$ 4J9""J""" $&"K #6&"K 2J$"4J152 26 $J#""J""" 4"&"K 1&"K 61$J92$ $ 24J4""J""" 14&"K 2&"K 919J$$5 6 2"J6""J""" 4&"K 1"&"K 5J"94J#91 5 2$J"""J""" 1&"K 4&#K 1#J"54J45" 2 44J9""J""" 4&5K

SV per inha$itant15 "&26 "&"2 "&12 "&"1 "&#" "&"" "&"4 "&1# "&2$ "&22 1&24 "&12 "&"4 "&"2 "&"4 "&59 "&4$ "&"" "&1# "&$1 1&69 "&"1 "&"2 "&"" "&1$

SV per forei"n visitor16 "&15 "&"" "&"$ "&"1 "&"6 "&"# "&"1 "&12 "&"5 "&21 "&12 "&"4 "&"4 "&"" "&19 "&95 "&14 "&"" "&"1 "&1# 1&54 "&"1 "&"" "&"" "&"5

2"1" )nternational re,ort on mountain tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for al,ine resorts 9e:ruar2 2"1" # 13 #

)eneral $en%hmarkin"
T(e >nite3 .tates, Ba,an an3 9ran'e (ave t(e most ski resorts, *it( more t(an 2"" ea'(& )f German2 also s(o*s a signifi'ant num:er of s1i areas, most of t(em are ver2 small ones t(at are not 'onsi3ere3 s1i resorts un3er t(e 3efinition use3 in t(is re,ort& 0nl2 +ustria an3 9ran'e (ave more t(an 1" resorts t(at generate over 1 million s1ier visits ,er season& 9ran'e, +ustria an3 t(e >nite3 .tates to, t(e list of 'ountries *it( t(e most lifts, *it( a:out #E""" ea'(& T(e2 are also t(e 'ountries ,osting t(e (ig(est total skier visit figures, *it( more t(an 4" million ea'(, an3 t(e >nite3 .tates ran1s first on a 4 2ear average& Ho*ever, 9ran'e is 'lose :e(in3 an3 ma2 soon :e near or at t(e same level& T(e intro3u'tion of .out( ?orean 3ata in t(e :en'(mar1ing ta:le ,rovi3es a ne* re'or3 :rea1ing figure as far as skier visits pro# !u%e! per lift is 'on'erne3, *it( 4#E9$2 s1ier visits generate3 ,er lift ,er season& T(e num:er of s1ier visits ,er lift is also (ig(er in Cana3a an3 t(e >nite3 .tates t(an in t(e ot(er 'ountries, s(o*ing t(e 3ifferen'e in t(e :usiness mo3el from t(at in 8uro,e, *(ere an em,(asis is ,la'e3 on lift me'(ani's an3 so,(isti'ate3 infrastru'ture& <it( more t(an 1E#"" million in(a:itants, t(e :iggest national market of t(e sam,le is C(ina, far greater t(an an2 ot(er& Ho*ever, at t(is stage, t(e si;e of t(e s1i in3ustr2 is not ,ro,ortional& )n3ia, *(i'( also (as over one :illion in(a:itants, still (as a ver2 lo* num:er of s1iers& T(e >nite3 .tates is t(e :iggest mature mar1et, *it( a ,o,ulation of over #"" million in(a:itants& T(e +ustrians, .*iss an3 =or*egians are t(e ,o,ulations *it( t(e (ig(est parti%ipation rates, *it( 24K or more of t(e ,o,ulation ,arti'i,ating in s1iing& Ho*ever, sin'e t(e2 :enefit from mu'( large ,o,ulations, t(e >nite3 .tates, German2 an3 9ran'e a''ount for t(e (ig(est num$er of national skiers, *it( aroun3 12 million ea'(&

Laurent Vanat

9ran'e, t(e >nite3 .tates an3 .,ain are t(e %ountries with the most forei"n tourists, :ut it is onl2 in 9ran'e t(at t(e2 ,rovi3e a noti'ea:le :enefit to s1i resorts& Most foreign visitors, (o*ever, 3o not 'ome for t(e ,ur,ose of s1iing& 9or t(e 2 ot(er 'ountries, foreign tourists onl2 marginall2 'ontri:ute to t(e num:er of visits to s1i resorts& )n nearl2 ever2 'ountr2, t(e main ,ortion of s1ier visits 'onsists of 3omesti' s1iers& T(ere are onl2 # 'ountries *orl3*i3e *(ere inter# national %ustomers re,resents at least (alf, if not more, of s1ier
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 15 #

visits& )n +n3orra, +ustria an3 .*it;erlan3, foreign 'ustomers re,resent :et*een 4"K an3 94K of all s1ier visits& @esi3es ,osting a re'or3 ,ro,ortion of foreign s1ier visits, t(ese 'ountries also (ave t(e (ig(est ratio of skier visits per inha$itant an! per forei"n visi# tor of t(e sam,le, *it( more t(an 1&# an3 1&1 visits res,e'tivel2, 'learl2 s(o*ing t(e im,ortan'e of *inter tourism&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 18 #

The *lps

*ustria
<it( 8>- 5 :illion s,ent sin'e 2ear 2""", t(e +ustrian o,erators (ave :een massivel2 investing over t(e last fe* 2ears, s(o*ing t(e most u,3ate3 lift infrastru'ture of t(e in3ustr2& To some extent, or *(en measure3 to ot(er 'ountriesE stan3ar3s, t(e infrastru'ture in some ,la'es even ten3s to :e luxurious, *it( eFui,ment su'( as $seaters 3eta'(a:le '(airlifts *it( (eate3 seats, :u::les an3 un3ergroun3 ,ar1ing& T(e in3ustr2 no* also 'overs 6"K of t(e slo,es *it( sno*ma1ing1$& )t is *ort( noting t(at t(e e'onomi' sustaina:ilit2 of su'( a (ig( level of investment is still 3iffi'ult to 3emonstrate, *(en more t(an 4"K of revenues (ave :een reinveste3 for several 'onse'utive 2ears& 9or t(e o:server, t(ere is a (ig( level of in3ivi3ualit2 :et*een t(e s1i resorts, an3 t(e :usiness mo3els of t(e al,ine villages s(o* some ,arti'ularities& +ustria is t(e 8uro,ean 'ountr2 *it( t(e largest (otel a''ommo3ation offering& .in'e most of t(ese (otels are famil2o*ne319, t(e2 still (ave a ver2 'onservative a,,roa'( to mar1eting, :ut :enefit from lo2al returning 'ustomers& T(is seems to :e su''essful *it( :ot( t(e 3omesti' an3 t(e large German an3 Gut'( 'ustomer :ase (res,e'tivel2 2#K, 4"K an3 9K of overnig(t sta2s2"!& )n fa't, t(e 'ountr2 is a :ig im,orter of s1iersI most of its s1ier visits are generate3 :2 foreign tourists& +not(er tra3itional 'ustomer :ase is via @ritis( tour o,erators& + 'ou,le of +ustrian resorts (ave a ver2 strong mar1et ,ositioning& .ome, alt(oug( not 'onne'te3, (ave Hoint mar1eting efforts, s(o*ing an exam,le of a ne* 32nami'& Ges,ite t(e fa't t(at it is not ,ossi:le to s1i :et*een ea'( of t(e resorts, t(e :enefits of using t(is 'ommon :ran3 (ave a,,eare3, for instan'e :2 allo*ing (ig(er ,ri'ing an3 Hoint a3vertising a'tions& +ustria is also t(e onl2 'ountr2 *(ere s'(ools still go on s1i *ee1s on a regular :asis& T(is ma2 :e t(e se'ret to t(e gro*t( in s1ier visits&
1$ 19 2"

Laurent Vanat

+:out 8>- $"" million (ave :een investe3 in sno*ma1ing over t(e last 4 2ears T(e same families also often o*n s(ares in t(e lift 'om,anies 9igures from 2""$/"9 *inter season, .tatisti1 +ustria

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 20 #

+ustria ex,erien'e3 'ontinuous gro*t( in s1ier visits u, to t(e 2""$/"9 season& <it( an average 2earl2 in'rease of 2&24K, sin'e :eginning of t(e 'entur2, t(e 'ountr2 *as 'lose to rea'(ing t(e level of s1ier visits in 9ran'e& )n t(e last # seasons (o*ever, t(e +ustrian resorts (ave ex,erien'e3 a 3e'rease in visits, as *it( ot(er al,ine 3estinations (*it( t(e ex'e,tion of 9ran'e last season!&

5"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2
# 21 #

-i"ure ' , *ustriaH evolution of skier visits

Giffi'ult *eat(er an3 sno* 'on3itions, toget(er *it( a s(orter season, :roug(t on 3e'reasing atten3an'e figures& <it( 4" million s1ier visits, t(e 2"11/12 season *as a:out 2K 3o*n from t(e 2ear :efore& <it( some extreme *eat(er at t(e :eginning of t(e season, Ge'em:er an3 Banuar2 s(o*e3 ,oor atten3an'e& T(e extremel2 lo* tem,eratures, sno* an3 storms even ,revente3 visitors from :eing a:le to rea'( some s1i areas, *(en lifts *ere not 'lose3 3ue to unsafe o,erating 'on3itions& <it( t(e return of :etter *eat(er in 9e:ruar2 an3 Mar'(, t(ese mont(s ,erforme3 *ell, ,rovi3ing an a3eFuate finis( to t(e season&

2ew *ustrian Ski Re"ion Openin" 2012#13 + rare ne* s1i region in t(e +ustrian Tirol *ill o,en t(is *inter t(an1s to a gon3ola 'onne'tion :et*een +l,:a'( an3 t(e <il3s'(onau s1i areas& T(e ne* .1i Bu*el (*(i'( means .1i Be*el or .1i Gem! area *ill finall2 lin1 t(e neig(:ouring areas, *(i'( (ave :ot( esta:lis(e3 se,arate international re,utations over more t(an 4" 2ears of s1i (istor2& @ot( are *ell-1no*n not onl2 for t(eir s1iing :ut also for t(eir s'eni' :eaut2, *it( +l,:a'( ,reviousl2 name3 t(e most :eautiful village in +ustria&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

Conne'ting t(e t*o areas is an eig(t-seat gon3ola :et*een )nneral,:a'( an3 t(e .'(at;:erg s1i area at +uffa'( in <il3s'(onau, t(an1s to a 8>- 1#&4 million investment& T(e 'om:ine3 area *ill (ave 144 1ilometers (91 miles! of runs serve3 :2 46 lifts& T(e terrain *ill :e ma3e u, of ## 1ilometers of eas2 :lue runs (22K!, 66 1ilometers of interme3iate re3 runs (4#K!, 1# 1ilometers of 3iffi'ult :la'1 runs ($K! an3 12 1ilometerof off ,iste itineraries (6K!& + six-3a2 lift ,ass *ill 'ost 8>- 196&"" for a3ults an3 8>- 9$&4" for '(il3ren&

.our'e : .no*(unter

-ran%e
+lt(oug( 9ran'e is t(e num:er one 3estination in terms of arrivals in *orl3 tourism, t(e s1i in3ustr2 still *or1s ,rimaril2 *it( t(e 3omesti' mar1et& .ome of t(e maHor 9ren'( resorts *ere 'reate3 from s'rat'( in t(e 195"Es an3 196"Es, initiall2 as integrate3 o,erations& T(e2 *ere 3ismantle3 in t(e 19$"Es an3 lift o,erations *ere 3istri:ute3 among numerous a'tors, giving :irt( to t(e Com,agnie 3es +l,es, t(e *orl3Es largest s1i resort o,erator& 9ran'e is t(e onl2 8uro,ean 'ountr2 *it( su'( a 3ominant o,erator *(o runs nearl2 all t(e maHor resorts& T(ere are also a fe* ot(er smaller o,erators t(at manage lifts for several s1i areas& )n 9ran'e, s1i lifts are still 'onsi3ere3 to :e a ,u:li' servi'e, an3 t(e o,erating 'om,anies are eit(er ,artiall2 o*ne3 or even 3ire'tl2 manage3 :2 muni'i,alities& +not(er ,arti'ularit2 of 9ren'( resorts, es,e'iall2 in t(e ,ur,ose-:uilt :ig resorts, is t(e extremel2 (ig( ,ro,ortion of a,artment (ousing& Hotels are Fuite rare an3 most 'ustomers s,en3 t(eir s1i *ee1 in *(at is 'alle3 a -Msi3en'e 3e tourisme, *(i'( are to some extent t(e 9ren'( eFuivalent of t(e =ort( +meri'an 'on3os, *it( mu'( less surfa'e area ,er guest, an3 *it( a level of 'omfort in man2 'ases still :ase3 on t(e stan3ar3s of t(e 196"Es&

Laurent Vanat

0ver t(e last fe* 2ears, it is estimate3 t(at t(e 9ren'( s1i in3ustr2 (as lost :et*een #""E""" an3 4""E""" national s1iers& T(is 3e'rease (as :een ,artiall2 'om,ensate3 :2 a 1K to 2K annual gro*t( rate of foreign 'ustomers, 3eriving ,rimaril2 from ne* out:oun3 mar1ets *it( (ig( ,otential& T(ere are a:out 2 million foreign s1iers *(o visit 9ran'e ea'( *inter season& T(e @ritis( re,resent one Fuarter, follo*e3 :2 t(e )talians, @elgians, Germans an3 -ussians& T(e latter (ave :e'ome in'reasingl2 numerous at s1i resorts, no* a''ounting for 6K to 9K overnig(t sta2s in (otels&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 22 #

6"J"""J""" 5"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2
# 23 #

-i"ure ( , -ran%eH evolution of skier visits

+fter t(e 2""9/1" an3 2"1"/11 *inters :ro1e *it( t(e long range ,er'eiva:le tren3 to*ar3s gro*t( (9ran'e *as one of t(e rare 'ountries still s(o*ing su'( a ten3en'2 among t(e maHor ,la2ers!, t(e 2"11/12 season s(o*e3 a return to a goo3 level of s1ier visits& )t s(oul3 :e (ig(lig(te3 t(at 9ran'e *as t(e onl2 al,ine 'ountr2 to ex,erien'e gro*t( 3uring t(is season (4K over t(e ,revious 2ear!& 8ven if t(e season 3i3 not :egin so *ell 3ue to an unfavora:le 'alen3ar an3 gloom2 *eat(er, (eav2 sno*fall t(roug( mi3-Banuar2 ensure3 goo3 s1iing 'on3itions& Disits in'rease3 3uring t(e 9e:ruar2 (oli3a2s an3 'ontinue3 t(roug( 8aster *ee1en3& 8ven t(oug( t(e =ort(ern +l,s an3 Bura Mountains ,erforme3 *ell, some lo*-altitu3e s1i areas suffere3 in t(e ot(er regions&

Ital
+lt(oug( most of t(e s1i resorts are 'on'entrate3 in t(e nort(ern regions of 7iemonte, Dalle 3E+osta, Aom:ar3ia, Tretino, +lto +3ige (.N3tirol! an3 Deneto, t(ere are minor s1i resorts t(roug(out most of t(e 'ountr2, in'lu3ing t(e islan3s of .i'il2 an3 .ar3inia& T(e )talian s1i in3ustr2 is similar to t(e +ustrian mo3el in t(e .out( T2rol an3 eastern regions, an3 s(ares some similarities to t(e 9ren'( resorts in
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

t(e *est& .ome ,la2ers are ver2 32nami', li1e t(e Golomiti .u,ers1i area, an3 offer a (ig( level of infrastru'ture an3 state-of-t(e-art lifts an3 sno*ma1ing fa'ilities un3er a 'ommon :ran3 name& T(is ,a'1aging is, (o*ever, forme3 :2 a multitu3e of small o,erators& T(e evolution of some ot(er areas (as :een slo*er, 'ontri:uting to a tem,orar2 3e'line in s1ier visits& T(e )talian in3ustr2 is Fuite fragmente3, *it( no maHor o,erator& )t relies ,rimaril2 on 3omesti' 'ustomers an3 ,resents t(e lo*est rate of foreign ,arti'i,ants of t(e al,ine 'ountries& 9rom 2""2 u, to 2""9, 2"K of t(e lifts *ere remove3 an3 a furt(er 2"K (ave :een rene*e3, for a total of 444 ne* lifts& +lt(oug( )talian o,erators (ave :een investing Fuite (eavil2 over t(e last 3e'a3e, t(e atten3an'e (as starte3 to 3e'line& 8ven if t(is tren3 reverse3 over a 'ou,le of t(e last fe* seasons, )tal2 still seems to (ave a rat(er mature mar1et ,rofile an3 it is not 'lear if it *ill ex,erien'e an2 real gro*t( in t(e future& +tten3an'e 3uring t(e 2"11/12 *inter *as rat(er ,oor, as *ere also t(e *eat(er 'on3itions at t(e :eginning of t(e season&

#4J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 24J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 14J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" 4J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" #

Laurent Vanat

-i"ure 3 , Ital H evolution of skier visits

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 2& #

2" 11 -1 2

Swit@erlan!
.*it;erlan3 *as, for Fuite some time 3uring t(e last 'entur2, t(e most *ell-1no*n s1i 3estination in t(e *orl3, *it( some ,la'es still garnering lasting re'ognition& T(e 'ountr2 *as also on'e t(e lea3er in terms of lift infrastru'ture& Ho*ever, t(e in3ustr2 lost ,art of its luster in t(e 19$"Es& Too man2 fragmente3 o,erators fig(ting over t(e same mountains le3 several 'om,anies into a ,oor finan'ial situation& )nvestment (as t(us slo*e3 3o*n for Fuite some time an3 .*it;erlan3 lost ,art of its a,,eal to foreign tourists& T(is (as not :een (el,e3 :2 its legen3ar2, :ut not al*a2s true, re,utation as :eing an ex,ensive 3estination& )t s(oul3 nevert(eless :e ,ointe3 out t(at for t(e last # 2ears t(e ex'(ange rate :et*een t(e .*iss 9ran', t(e 8uro an3 t(e @ritis( 7oun3 *as unfavora:le an3 le3 to a revival of t(is re,utation for :eing ex,ensive& .*iss s1i areas (ost an im,ortant foreign 'ustomer :ase, ma3e u, of Germans, t(e @ritis(, t(e 9ren'(, )talians an3 +meri'ans21& 0ver t(e last fe* 2ears, .,anis( an3 -ussian 'ustomers also in'rease3 t(eir ,resen'e& T(e .*iss s1i in3ustr2 is fa'ing t(e 3emogra,(i's issue *it( t(e 3omesti' 'ustomer :ase& T(e s1ier visit figures ,resent a small 3e'line at t(e :eginning of t(e 3e'a3e, an3 t(en are flat over re'ent 2ears, ,un'tuate3 :2 3o*nturns 3ue to a3verse meteorologi'al 'on3itions& T(e result is a long range 3e'lining tren3& <it( 24&$ million s1ier visits, atten3an'e 3uring t(e 2"11/12 season *as t(e lo*est in t(e last 4 2ears& )t is 3o*n 4&$K 'om,are3 to t(e ,revious season (25&" million s1ier visits! an3 $&6K un3er t(e five-2ear average& Ho*ever, atten3an'e *as still :etter t(an 3uring t(e 2""5/"6 *inter, *(i'( totale3 onl2 24&2 million s1ier visits& T(e 2"11/12 season *as ,e'uliar& T(e season *as s(orter t(an average for most resorts& 8ven if t(ere *ere no la'1-of-sno* issues, t(e *eat(er 'on3itions *ere ,oor 3uring t(e C(ristmas an3 =e* OearEs (oli3a2s& T(en 9e:ruar2 ex,erien'e3 a long ,erio3 of ver2 'ol3 *eat(er& 8ven in t(e valle2s, it remaine3 :elo* free;ing for 2
21

to, 4 in (otels overnig(t sta2s

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 2' #

*ee1s, *it( tem,eratures (overing aroun3 minus 14 3egrees Celsius& )t rea'(e3 a ,oint *(ere t(e me3ia re'ommen3e3 not going s1iing& 0:viousl2, t(e2 forgot t(at su'( lo* tem,eratures are :usinessas-usual for man2 s1i areas aroun3 t(e *orl3 an3 t(at existing s1i 'lot(ing 3esign easil2 'o,es *it( su'( extreme 'on3itionsP =evert(eless, t(e 'ollateral 3amage o''urre3 in t(e form of 'an'elle3 s1i va'ations&

#4J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 24J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 14J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" 4J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 5 , Swit@erlan!H evolution of skier visits

T(e evolution for t(e future is still un'lear an3 is a 'on'ern for o,erators& 9or t(e time :eing, .*iss o,erators (ave not ta1en an2 strong a'tion to anti'i,ate t(e im,a't of t(e 3emogra,(i' '(anges in t(eir 'lient :ase& .ome 'am,aigns *ere laun'(e3 3uring t(e last fe* *inters to get 'iti;ens of maHor 'ities a'Fuainte3 *it( t(e ,leasures of s1iing& Darious i3eas are :eing stu3ie3 :ut 'ustomer 1no*le3ge still nee3s to :e im,rove3 to 3evelo, su''essful C-M ,rograms& 9urt(er im,rovements to t(e 'lient ex,erien'e *ill also ,ass t(roug( t(e mo3erni;ation of ,art of t(e aging (otel infrastru'ture, *(i'( offers ver2 uneFual Fualit2 3e,en3ing on t(e 3estination& T(e in'rease in t(e non-s1iing offer *ill also (el, t(e .*iss al,ine resorts to :e more a,,ealing to a larger 'ustomer :ase :ot( in *inter an3 in summer&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 2( #

<estern :urope22

*n!orra
<it( 52 ,ea1s over 2E""" meters *it(in t(e 'ountr2Es 45$ sFuare 1ilometer surfa'e area, t(e 7rin'i,alit2 is lo'ate3 in t(e (ig(est ,art of t(e 72renees an3 (as t(e largest s1i area in t(e 72renees& T(e resorts are lo'ate3 at altitu3es :et*een 1E44" an3 2E54" meters a:ove sea level& Gue to t(e sout(ern lo'ation, t(e 'limate is mil3er an3 sunnier t(an in t(e ot(er 8uro,ean s1i regions& 8ven if sus'e,ti:le to an unrelia:le sno*,a'1, sno* 'on3itions are generall2 goo3, an3 en(an'e3 :2 a soli3 sno*ma1ing s2stem& +s t(e +n3orran ,o,ulation is ver2 small, t(e national 'ustomer :ase is insignifi'ant& Most s1iers are foreign visitors& +lt(oug( t(ere is no 3ire't a''ess :2 rail or air to +n3orra, t(e s1i areas are 'lose to :ig 'ities from neig(:oring .,ain an3 9ran'e, an3 also attra't ot(er international visitors, su'( as @ritis( an3 -ussian s1iers& T(e resorts offer man2 (otels for all tastes an3 :u3gets& T(e2 are also value3 for t(eir nig(tlife an3 s(o,,ing&

#J"""J""" 2J4""J""" 2J"""J""" 1J4""J""" 1J"""J""" 4""J""" "

2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# 23 #

-i"ure 8, *n!orraH evolution of skier visits

22

+lt(oug( geogra,(i'all2 ,art of <estern 8uro,e, t(e +l,ine 'ountries (ave :een treate3 as a se,arate grou,, 3ue to t(eir maHor im,ortan'e in terms of mar1et s(are&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

Gue to t(e (uge ,ortion of international 'ustomers in t(e num:er of s1ier visits, +n3orra is t(e onl2 3estination in 8uro,e t(at ex,erien'e3 a 3e'rease in s1ier visits imme3iatel2 after t(e 2""$ 'risis& 8ven if some re'over2 o''urre3 in 2""9/1", for t(e time :eing, t(e long range outloo1 is 'ontinue3 3e'line, as t(e 'ountr2 (as to fig(t against in'reasing international 'om,etition an3 la'1s a 3omesti' mar1et& Ges,ite mo3ern infrastru'ture, goo3 sno*ma1ing, an3 large enoug( resorts to 'om,ete *it( t(e +l,s, ,art of t(e s1ier mar1et 3oes not 'onsi3er +n3orran resorts as attra'tive as t(ose in t(e +l,s, sin'e t(eir la2out 3iffers slig(tl2& Dillages are extensivel2 'onne'te3 over *i3e areas, :ut verti'al 3ro, is lo*er t(an in t(e maHor al,ine resorts& Ae 7as 3e la Casa-Grau -oig an3 .ol3eu-8l Tarter form t(e Gran3valira s1i area& Gran3valira is t(e largest s1i area in t(e 72renees& <it( its 56 lifts, 11" runs for a total of 19# 1ilometers of s1iing, it (as entere3 t(e ex'lusive 'lu: of t(e to, 4" largest resorts in t(e *orl3 (over one million s1ier visits ,er 2ear!& T(e ot(er resort is Dallnor3, *(i'( is ma3e u, of t(e # 3istin't s1i areas of 7al, +r'alis an3 +rinsal& .in'e 2""4, t(e t(ree areas (ave :een 'overe3 :2 t(e same lift ,ass, offering guests t(e o,,ortunit2 for a *i3e variet2 of s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing& +rinsal an3 7al are lin1e3 via a 4"-,erson 'a:le 'ar, :ut a 4" minute :us ri3e is reFuire3 to rea'( +r'alis& Dallnor3 features 4# lifts an3 6" runs for a total of 9# 1ilometers of s1iing&

-inlan!

Laurent Vanat

Ges,ite t(e 'oastal ,lains an3 t(e flat terrain of .out(east 9inlan3, t(e 'ountr2 (as mountains on t(e 9innis(-=or*egian :or3er, *(ose (ig( ,oint is Mount Halti, 1E#2$ meters a:ove sea level& 8ven *it( fe* mountains, 9inlan3 (as a:out $" s1i areas in t(e =ort( an3 Aa,lan3 (22!, t(e .out( (25! an3 in t(e mi33le of t(e 'ountr2 (#1!& T(e longest s1i trail is in Aa,lan3 (over #E""" meters long! :ut t(e average lengt( of a s1i run in 9inlan3 is :et*een 5"" an3 $"" meters& T(e 9innis( lift ,asses are among t(e '(ea,est in <estern 8uro,e&
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.1iing (as :een in .'an3inavia for several t(ousan3 2ears an3 it is sai3 t(at t(e Di1ings alrea32 use3 s1is as a means of trans,ortation& )f t(e existen'e of s1iing is ver2 ol3, its ,ra'ti'e as a s,ort is more re'ent& )t *as 3evelo,e3 after 1$4", *(en t(e first ra'es *ere (el3 (mainl2 in =or*a2!, an3 t(e 9innis( .1i 9e3eration *as foun3e3 in 19"$& <it( a ver2 lo* ,ro,ortion of foreign s1iers, t(e ,rogression of s1ier visits in 9inlan3 is Fuite slo*& <it( u,s an3 3o*ns, t(e long range tren3 is flat, even if 2"1"/11 *as an ex'ellent season as far as t(e num:er of visits is 'on'erne3&

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2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# 28 #

-i"ure 10 , -inlan!H evolution of skier visits

T(e main s1i resorts of 9inlan3 are Aevi, OllQs an3 -u1as& T(e2 mainl2 target families, re'reational s1iers an3 ,eo,le attra'te3 to t(e man2 a3venture a'tivities t(e2 offer (ex'ursions, et'&!& Aevi is t(e fastest gro*ing s1i resort in 9inlan3& )t is lo'ate3 in t(e nort(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2& )t (as 2 'a:le 'ars, 1 '(airlift an3 24 surfa'e lifts *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 26E9"" ,eo,le ,er (our& Aevi offers 2#" 1ilometers of runs an3 1"K of t(em are lit for nig(t s1iing& 9rom time to time t(e resort (osts +l,ine .1i <orl3 Cu, ra'es& T(e OllQs s1i area 'onsists of seven ,ea1s an3 t*o original Aa,, villages& +t 61$ meters a:ove sea level, Mount OllQs itself is one of t(e (ig(est ,ea1s in 9innis( Aa,lan3& T(e OllQs s1i resort features 29 s1i lifts, 51 trails, a .u,er-G-slo,e an3 t(e longest run in 9inlan3 (#&4 1ilometers!& T(e *inter season lasts from 0'to:er to Ma2&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

)erman
T(ere are over 4"" s1i areas in German2 to satisf2 t(e largest ,o,ulation of s1iers in 8uro,e: more t(an 12 million& @ut nearl2 (alf of t(ese areas (ave onl2 one lift& T(e 'ountr2Js main resorts are lo'ate3 along t(e sout(ern :or3er of t(e @la'1 9orest an3 in t(e @avarian +l,s, :or3ering .*it;erlan3 an3 +ustria& T(e German +l,s, t(e Har; Mountains, @la'1 9orest, @avarian 9orest, an3 t(e T(uringian 9orest are mi33le altitu3e mountains, rising as (ig( as 1E4"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e2 often sit at altitu3es lo*er t(an +ustrian or .*iss resorts, an3 s1ier visit figures (ave s(o*n (ig( sensitivit2 to sno* 'on3itions in t(e ,ast& T(e2 t(erefore (ave investe3 (eavil2 in sno*ma1ing s2stems& )t ma2 :e too earl2 to 'on'lu3e *(et(er t(is infrastru'ture *ill :e a:le to 3efinitivel2 mitigate t(e meteorologi'al ris1s, :ut visitor figures (ave remaine3 stea32 over t(e last 4 *inters, even if t(e2 no longer s(o* a long range tren3 to*ar3s gro*t(&

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2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 11, )erman H evolution of skier visits

Laurent Vanat

T(e maHor 'at'(ment areas for German s1iers are Muni'(, .tuttgart an3 regions furt(er nort(& Ho*ever, t(e Germans are :ig 'onsumers of s1iing a:roa3, an3 re,resent, for exam,le, t(e largest foreign 'ustomer :ase for +ustrian resorts& Garmis'(-7arten1ir'(en is t(e un3is,ute3 German *inter s,orts 'a,ital& -eno*ne3 for its tra3itional =e* OearEs s1i Hum,ing 'om,etition an3 for :eing an 0l2m,i' 'it2, Garmis'( to3a2 is a 'osmo,olitan ,la'e& )ts s1i area exten3s to t(e +ustrian :or3er, an3 in'lu3es over

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5" 1ilometers of trails& T(e Cugs,it;e is t(e (ig(est s1i lift in German2, to,,ing out at 2E$#" meters& .1iing in German2 is not limite3 to Garmis'(& )n <estern lQn3er, t(ere are s1i areas su'( as 0:erst3orf, @al3ers'(*ang an3 0:erammergau in t(e @avarian +l,s or -eit im <in1l, 0:erau3orf an3 @er'(tesga3en in t(e 8ast&

I%elan!
>nli1e t(e name of t(e 'ountr2, it ma2 :e *armer at t(e s1i resorts in )'elan3 t(an at man2 s1i areas in 8uro,e or =ort( +meri'a& Ho*ever, t(e sno* 'on3itions are is in general 'ol3 an3 firm instea3 of ,o*3er& Most of t(e )'elan3i' mountains are no (ig(er t(an 1E4"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e slo,es ma2 t(erefore la'1 enoug( verti'al for ex,erien'e3 s1iers& .everal s1i areas are lo'ate3 near ur:an 'enters, in'lu3ing t(e 'a,ital, -e21Havi1& T(e main areas are eFui,,e3 for nig(t s1iing, *(i'( is a:solutel2 ne'essar2 given t(e ver2 s(ort *inter 3a2s& T(e2 usuall2 offer a reasona:le variet2 of runs& Man2 also offer 'ross-'ountr2 s1i trails, s1ating rin1s an3 t(e ,ossi:ilit2 of renting sno*mo:iles& T(e t*o :est 1no*n resorts are @lRfHSll, #" minutes a*a2 from t(e 'a,ital, an3 +1ure2ri, on Mount HlT3arfHall& @lRfHSll is t(e largest in t(e 'ountr2 *it( 11 lifts (2 '(airlifts an3 9 surfa'e lifts! an3 a total (ourl2 'a,a'it2 of over $E""" ,eo,le& 0,ene3 in 19$2, it (as 15 runs for all levels, :ut onl2 a small ,ortion are for a3van'e3 s1iers& T(e area ranges :et*een 4$" an3 6"" meters altitu3e, offering limite3 verti'al 3ro,& Gla'ier s1iing is ,ossi:le 3uring t(e summer& +''ommo3ations are limite3, *it( onl2 1"" :e3s availa:le for visitors in (omes :elonging to t(ree s1i 'lu:s& 0ne 3ail2 lift ,ass 'osts less t(an 8>- 2"& Ho*ever, life in )'elan3 is ,rett2 ex,ensive for t(e extras& +1ure2ri is t(e most ,o,ular an3 most 'om,re(ensive s1i 3estination in t(e 'ountr2& )t is eFui,,e3 *it( seven lifts in'lu3ing a '(airlift an3 a moving 'ar,et an3 features a *i3e variet2 of 3o*n(ill s1i runs from t(e summit& )n3ee3, t(ere are 24 runs t(at 'ater ,rimaril2 to :eginner an3 interme3iate s1iers& <it( an altitu3e ranging :et*een 4"" an3 94" meters a:ove sea level, t(e area is eFui,,e3 *it( a sno*ma1ing s2stem& )n a33ition to s1iing an3 a s1ating rin1, visitors 'an also enHo2 t(e sno*,ar1, a s*imming ,ool (eate3 :2 geot(ermal a'tivit2 an3 a fitness 'enter& +''ommo3ations at t(e s1i area onl2 amount to 1"" :e3s, :ut ot(er o,tions are availa:le in t(e to*n of +1ure2ri, seven 1ilometers from t(e resort& T(e 3ail2 lift ,ass 'osts aroun3 8>- 2"&

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2orwa
Most of t(e 'ountr2 is 3ominate3 :2 mountainous regions or (ig( terrain, *it( 25 ,ea1s (ig(er t(an 2E#"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e (ig(est summit to,s out at 2E459 meters& .1iing (as :een an a'tivit2 in =or*a2 for over 4E""" 2ears an3 mo3ern s1iing *as invente3 (ere& )nitiall2, s1is *ere solel2 a means of trans,ortation, :ut s1iing soon :e'ame a re'reational a'tivit2& Morge3al, t(e :irt(,la'e of .on3re =or(eim, t(e s1iing ,ioneer an3 3evelo,er of t(e telemar1 te'(niFue, is 'alle3 t(e 'ra3le of s1iing an3 *as '(osen t(ree times to lig(t t(e 0l2m,i' tor'( for t(e <inter Games& =or*a2 (as more t(an 2"" s1i resorts an3 over 54" s1i lifts& .1ier visits seeme3 to :e gro*ing t(roug( t(e 2""$/"9 *inter& )t (as sin'e 3e'rease3, as *it( man2 8uro,ean 'ountries&

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2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 12 , 2orwa H evolution of skier visits

Laurent Vanat

=or*a2 is an i3eal (oli3a2 3estination for families, t(an1s to its ex'ellent '(il3'are fa'ilities& C(il3ren un3er t(e age of seven 'an s1i for free, ,rovi3e3 t(e2 are *earing a (elmet& T(e s1i season :egins ver2 earl2 an3 lasts from =ovem:er until 8aster& =or*egian s1i resorts :enefit from goo3 sno* 'on3itions an3 are not as overrun as else*(ere, so t(at s1i lift lines are rare& T(e t*o largest s1i resorts U Tr2sil an3 Hemse3al U even offer t(eir guests a sno* guarantee: )f t(e guarantee3 s1i trails are not o,en for an exten3e3 ,erio3 of time, t(e resort refun3s t(eir guests t(e mone2 for t(eir (otel, s1i s'(ool, s1i rentals an3 t(e lift ,ass&

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)n t(e far =ort(, t(ere are no :ig resorts, :ut t(ere is a *i3e variet2 of s1i areas *it( 'o;2 (oli3a2 'ottages t(at are often rente3 out :2 ,rivate o*ners& Man2 (oli3a2 (omes an3 (otels are ver2 'lose to t(e s1i lifts& =or*a2 also offers man2 sno*:oar3 ,ar1s an3 over #"E""" 1ilometers of 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing trails& 2E4"" of t(em are lit, as nig(t falls ver2 earl2 in =or*a2& Geilo is t(e ol3est s1i resort of =or*a2 an3 (as sin'e :e'ome a mo3ern resort *it( goo3 infrastru'ture, ex'ellent s1i runs, sno*:oar3 ,ar1s, mountain restaurants, (otels an3 s,as& )t (as 5 '(airlifts, 14 T-:ar-lifts an3 4 '(il3renEs lifts *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 22E""" ,eo,le ,er (our, all lo'ate3 :et*een $"" an3 1E16$ meters a:ove sea level& HafHell is t(e t(ir3 largest al,ine s1i area in =or*a2, *ell-1no*n t(an1s to t(e 1994 Aille(ammer 0l2m,i' <inter Games& )t (as 5 surfa'e lifts, # '(airlifts, over 24 1ilometers of *ell maintaine3 s1i runs an3 #2" 1ilometers of 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing trails& HafHell is a ver2 mo3ern an3 sunn2 s1i resort& Hemse3al, in t(e .'an3inavian +l,s, is onl2 a # (our 3rive from 0slo& T(e summit of t(e resort 'ulminates at 1E44" meters a:ove sea level& Hemse3al offers #" 3o*n(ill runs for a total of 4# 1ilometers of s1iing, 11 surfa'e lifts, 4 '(airlifts& T(ere are t*o mogul runs an3 t*o runs are lit for nig(t s1iing&

Spain
Ges,ite t(e images of :ea'(es 'ommonl2 asso'iate3 *it( .,ain, t(e 'ountr2 ran1s *ell among t(e mountainous regions of 8uro,e (*it( a mean altitu3e of 54" meters a:ove sea level, t(e 'ountr2 is even t(e fift( most mountainous in 8uro,e!& )t (as a 'enturies-ol3 tra3ition of s1iing, *it( #4 s1i resorts lo'ate3 t(roug(out various ,arts of t(e 'ountr2& .,aniar3s, li1e man2 8uro,eans, love *inter s,orts& 9amilies go s1iing or sno*:oar3ing on *ee1en3s an3 man2 ,eo,le o*n se'on3 (omes in t(e 72renees& 8ven ?ing Buan Carlos s,en3s several 3a2s a 2ear un3er t(e s,otlig(t at s1i resorts& )n most resorts, 9"K or more of s1ier visits 'onsists of 3omesti' s1iers& <it( t(e ex'e,tion of t(ose seasons t(at ex,erien'e3 :a3 sno* an3 *eat(er 'on3itions, s1ier visits to .,anis( s1i resorts *as gro*ing slig(tl2 3uring t(e first fe*
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seasons of t(e ne* millenium, :efore flattening out an3 even 3e'lining in re'ent 2ears, follo*ing a re'or3 2""$/"9 *inter& T(e 'ountr2Es 3iffi'ult e'onomi' situation ma2 3ela2 re'over2& -esorts ma2 (ave to *ait a :it longer to :enefit from (aving ex,an3e3 t(eir infrastru'ture& 9or instan'e, t(e num:er of lifts gre* from 22$ in 2""# to #5" to3a2&

$J"""J""" 6J"""J""" 5J"""J""" 4J"""J""" 4J"""J""" #J"""J""" 2J"""J""" 1J"""J""" "

2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 13, SpainH evolution of skier visits

T(e s1i areas are *ell eFui,,e3 an3 are suita:le for s1iers of all levels& T(e fa'ilities on t(e mountain are 'ontinuousl2 :eing im,rove3 u,on: trails, infrastru'ture, ma'(iner2, a''ess, a''ommo3ations an3 servi'es& +nnual investments, totaling millions of euros in t(e first 2ears of t(e 2"""Es, (ave 'ontri:ute3 to raising t(e resorts to international stan3ar3s, in an ongoing effort to res,e't t(e environment an3 natural sites& .ome areas (ave :een 'ertifie3 :2 t(e V tra3emar1 of .,anis( Tourism Vualit2& T(is la:el is grante3 to esta:lis(ments *(i'( meet t(e Fualit2 stan3ar3s reFuire3&

Laurent Vanat

.no* 'on3itions are usuall2 goo3I 3a2lig(t (ours are longer in t(e *inter t(an in t(e +l,s& )n a33ition, resorts offer a *i3e range of 'om,lementar2 a'tivities to visitors& )n t(e =ort(, t(e 72renees form a natural :arrier :et*een 9ran'e an3 .,ain an3 (ave offere3 favora:le 'on3itions for :uil3ing multi,le s1i resorts& +mong t(e famous ones of t(e region, @aFueria @eret is lo'ate3 in t(e +ran Dalle2& )t *as foun3e3 in 1954 an3 is to3a2 one of t(e largest in .,ain& 9ormigal resort is anot(er internationall2 reno*ne3 resort in t(e 72renees&

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+,art from t(e 72renees, *(i'( re,resent t(e most extensive s1i region of .,ain, t(e 'enter of t(e 'ountr2, t(e Cor3illera Central, (as 4 s1i resorts essentiall2 on t(e outs1irts of Ma3ri3, .alaman'a an3 .egovia& AetEs not forget +n3alusia& )t (as t(e largest resort in .,ain, .ierra =eva3a (*(i'( re'entl2 entere3 into t(e ran1s of t(e to, 4" :iggest resorts in t(e *orl3!& Ao'ate3 in t(e se'on3 (ig(est mountain '(ain in 8uro,e, it is t(e sout(ernmost resort in 'ontinental 8uro,e, *it( 14 ,ea1s over #E""" meters (ig(& .1iing at an altitu3e of #E4"" meters, an (ourJs 3rive from t(e Me3iterranean, ,resents an exoti' ex,erien'e, as t(ere are ver2 fe* ,la'es *(ere 2ou 'an s*im or surf in t(e sea in t(e morning an3 s1i or sno*:oar3 in t(e afternoon& <it( over 54 1ilometers of s1i runs an3 sno* a:out 4 mont(s ,er 2ear, .ierra =eva3a offers all *inter s,orts, for :eginners an3 ex,erts ali1e& )t is also ,ossi:le to s1i at nig(t 3uring some *ee1en3s or (oli3a2 ,erio3s& T(e resort (as man2 :ars, restaurants, an3 3is'ot(eFues for evening entertainment&

Swe!en
.*e3en (as over 2"" resorts *it( a total of more t(an $"" s1i lifts, most of t(em in t(e =ort(, :ut s1iing is also ,ossi:le an3 ,o,ular in t(e sout(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2& T(e (ig(est mountain is ?e:ne1aise, to,,ing out at 2E1"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e .*e3is( *inter is rat(er long, *it( a lot of sno*& )n t(e =ort( t(e season lasts until Ma2& .*e3en is a soug(t-after *inter s,orts 3estination as
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sno* is ,ra'ti'all2 guarantee3& )n a33ition, 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing is ver2 ,o,ular an3 t(e :eautiful lan3s'a,es, la1es an3 forests offer a :reat(ta1ing ,anorama for s1iing an3 relaxing&

9J"""J""" $J"""J""" 6J"""J""" 5J"""J""" 4J"""J""" 4J"""J""" #J"""J""" 2J"""J""" 1J"""J""" "
2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 1& , Swe!enH evolution of skier visits

0verall, s1i tourism (as :een ver2 sta:le, 3es,ite some *ea1er seasons& =e* investments (ave :een ma3e an3 in t(e next 'ou,le of 2ears, (otel an3 a''ommo3ation 'a,a'ities *ill ex,an3& Ges,ite t(e finan'ial 'risis, visitor num:ers in'rease3 at .*e3is( s1i 3estinations from 2""5/"6 to 2""9/1"& +t t(e same time, lo* :uil3ing 'osts en'ourage3 man2 :usinesses to renovate& )n a33ition, t(e lo* ex'(ange rate of t(e .*e3is( 1rona also (a3 a ,ositive effe't on t(e tourism in3ustr2& T(e last 2 seasons, (o*ever, sa* 3e'reasing atten3an'e figures& Climate '(ange, an3 its 'onseFuen'es for t(e 'ountries in t(e 8uro,ean +l,s, is 'onsi3ere3 to :e an a3vantage for .*e3en, as s1i tourism ma2 s(ift to t(e 'ol3er nort(ern .'an3inavian 'ountries& T(e :iggest an3 most mo3ern s1i resort in .*e3en is +re, *(ere t(e 2""6 <orl3 +l,ine .1iing C(am,ions(i,s *ere (el3& )t (as 41 s1i lifts an3 64 1ilometers of s1i runs& T(e se'on3 largest resort is Ain3vallen, featuring 44 s1i lifts an3 44 1ilometers of s1i runs& -i1sgfQnsen is 'onsi3ere3 to :e t(e nort(ernmost s1i resort in t(e *orl3& <it( its 5 s1i lifts an3 14 s1i runs, it is famous for s1iing un3er t(e mi3nig(t sun an3 for (ig(-s,ee3 sno*:oar3ing&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 3( #

Inite! >in"!om
+lt(oug( man2 8nglis( ,eo,le are fans of s1iing, t(ere are onl2 4 s1i resorts *it( natural sno* in t(e >nite3 ?ing3om, lo'ate3 in .'otlan3, ,lus a fe* s1i areas manage3 :2 s1i 'lu:s in =ort(ern 8nglan3 an3 <ales& T(e 'ountr2 (o*ever (as roug(l2 4" to 5" 3r2 slo,es, *(ere s1iers 'an sli3e 3o*n slo,es 'overe3 *it( s2nt(eti' material2#& 9urt(ermore, t(ere are 5 in3oor sno* 'enters, *(ere s1iers 'an ex,erien'e manma3e sno* at an2 time of t(e 2ear& .1iing (as a long (istor2 in .'otlan3, *it( resorts su'( as Glen'oe an3 Glens(ee starting in t(e earl2 19#"Es& +lt(oug( at t(at time t(e2 *ere alrea32 eFui,,e3 *it( a small engine-,o*ere3 to*, t(e first ,ermanent lifts *ere installe3 in t(e 194"Es& .1iing too1 off in t(e 195"Es *it( several 3evelo,ments t(at ,rove3 unsustaina:le, es,e'iall2 3ue to t(e unrelia:le sno* 'on3itions& +fter Ae'(t o,ene3 in t(e 196"Es an3 =evis -ange in t(e 19$"Es, *it( t(e first mo3ern gon3ola in t(e >nite3 ?ing3om, .'otlan3 'urrentl2 (as 4 s1i areas in o,eration& T(e .'ottis( resorts rea'( a total 2earl2 average of 2""E""" s1ier visits, :ut atten3an'e is (ig(l2 sensitive to *eat(er an3 sno* 'on3itions an3 'an 3ou:le from one season to anot(er& T(e .'ottis( s1i season usuall2 starts at C(ristmas, :ut s1i lifts sometimes o,en in 0'to:er& T(e en3 of t(e season ma2 also :e exten3e3& 0ne of t(e re'or3 seasons, t(e 2""9/1" *inter, laste3 t(roug( Ma2 an3 even Bune at some resorts&
4""J""" #4"J""" #""J""" 24"J""" 2""J""" 14"J""" 1""J""" 4"J""" "
2" "6 -" $ 2" "$ -" 9 2" "5 -" 6 2" "9 -1 " 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" 1" -1 1 2" 11 -1 2
# 33 #

-i"ure 1' , Inite! >in"!omH evolution of skier visits

2#

T(ere *ere over 2"" 3r2 slo,es in t(e 196"/$"Es, :ut most (ave 'lose3&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

2" "4 -" 4

<it( its 19 surfa'e lifts an3 # '(airlifts, t(e resort of Glens(ee offers t(e most extensive s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing fa'ilities& Culminating at 1E1"$ meters a:ove sea level, *it( a :ase elevation of #"4 meters, Glen'oe Mountain resort (as t(e (ig(est verti'al 3ro, an3 also offers t(e longest an3 stee,est runs in .'otlan3& <(ile Cairngorm offers t(e onl2 .'ottis( funi'ular rail*a2, =evis -ange features t(e onl2 gon3ola lift& @ot( also o,erate in summer time& T(e in3oor slo,es are *or1ing (ar3 to attra't ne* ,eo,le to sno*s,orts, *(i'( is a :enefit for t(e in3ustr2& 0ne in3oor s1i 'enter offers a Aearn to .1i in a Ga2 ,rogram, *(i'( is ver2 attra'tive for first time s1iers an3 sno*:oar3ers& T(e artifi'ial s1i slo,es are also ver2 goo3 o,,ortunities to ena:le novi'es to learn an3 :e'ome familiar *it( s1iing& T(e national sno*s,orts governing :o32 is *or1ing to intro3u'e sno*s,orts to ,eo,le *(o (ave never s1ie3 or sno*:oar3e3 :efore& .ome ,rivate 'lu:s even (ave t(eir o*n artifi'ial slo,e& )n t(e 19$"Es an3 199"Es, s1ier visit figures in t(e >nite3 ?ing3om *ere (ig(er t(an t(e2 are to3a2& @ut *it( im,roving roa3s an3 air 'onne'tion to 8uro,e, toget(er *it( t(e intro3u'tion of lo* 'ost airlines, most of t(e >? s1i :usiness is 'urrentl2 3one a:roa3& 8ver2 2ear t(ere are more t(an one million s1iers *(o travel to t(e +l,s or ot(er 3estinations for *inter s,orts24& 8ven if it lost some of its mar1et s(are, 9ran'e is still t(e most ,o,ular 'ountr2 *it( @ritis( s1iers, a''ounting for more t(an one t(ir3 of travelers& +ustria is ran1e3 se'on3, 'a,turing a:out 24K of t(e @ritis( s1ier mar1et& =ext is )tal2 (a:out 14K!, t(en +n3orra (a:out 5K!, *(i'( is on a ,ar *it( .*it;erlan3 (also a:out 5K!, =ort( +meri'a (less t(an 4K! an3 @ulgaria (a:out 4K!& More t(an (alf of @ritis( s1iers go t(roug( tour o,erators& .everal maHor firms s,e'iali;e in *inter s1i travel&

Laurent Vanat

24 T(e amount of visitors ,ea1e3 at 1&4 million for t(e 2""6/"$ *interI it 3e'line3 to 1&1 million for t(e 2"1"/11 an3 2"11/12 *inters&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 35 #

:astern :urope an! +entral *sia2'

*rmenia
Half of +rmenia is 'overe3 :2 mountains& T(e largest ,art of t(e 'ountr2 is at an altitu3e of more t(an 1J""" meters a:ove sea level& <inters are 'ol3, offering t(e ,erfe't sno* 'on3itions for *inter s,orts& Oet, t(e 'ountr2 (as onl2 one single s1i resort, Tsa1(1a3;or, lo'ate3 44 1ilometers from t(e 'a,ital, Oerevan& )t *as at one time t(e training ,la'e for t(e .oviet 0l2m,i' team& T(e first lift s2stem *as installe3 in 1962, turning t(e 'it2 into a s1i resort& + s1i tea'(ing 'enter *as foun3e3 t(ere in 19$5, training at(letes, in'lu3ing some *(o ,arti'i,ate3 in t(e 0l2m,i' Games& T(e s1i area is lo'ate3 :et*een 1J955 an3 2J$19 meters elevation, 8ast of Mount Teg(enis& )n 2""4, t(e Government starte3 a s,e'ial ,rogram to 3evelo, Tsa1(1a3;or into an international tourism 3estination& .in'e t(en, t(e site (as ex,an3e3 Fui'1l2 an3 ever2 2ear features ne* (otels an3 re'reational fa'ilities& =e* lifts of international stan3ar3 *ere :uilt :et*een 2""4 an3 2""$& +mong t(em a t(ree-stage '(airlift, offering ne* runs an3 gro*ing t(e ,o,ularit2 of Tsa1(1a3;or as a genuine s1i resort& T(e total (ourl2 'a,a'it2 of t(e lifts is 4J4"" s1iers& T(e s1i area exten3s for over #" sFuare 1ilometers an3 in'lu3es ten runs, for a verti'al 3ro, of $4# meters& Most runs *ill suit :eginners, an3 t(e s1i area offers ex'ellent off-,iste 'on3itions& 9ive mo3ern groomers are ,lanne3 in or3er to maintain runs& T(e season runs from late Ge'em:er to late Mar'(& +n all-3a2 lift ,ass 'osts a:out 8>- 2"& )n 2""2, im,rovements to t(e (ig(*a2 lea3ing to t(e resort *ere ma3e to meet *it( international stan3ar3s an3 to im,rove safet2& )n a33ition to :eing a s1i area, t(e 'it2 of Tsa1(1a3;or is also a s,a 'enter&

8astern 8uro,e an3 Central +sia (ave :een grou,e3 as a single region in t(is re,ort, as most of t(e 'ountries 'on'erne3 are 'urrentl2 3evelo,ing t(eir s1i in3ustr2& 8ven if in most of t(ese 'ountries s1iing is not(ing ne*, s1i areas (ave in man2 ,la'es onl2 re'entl2 :een 3evelo,e3 into resorts an3 mar1ete3 internationall2& 7art of t(e gro*t( ,otential for t(e in3ustr2 *ill 'ome from t(is region an3 it is t(erefore interesting to :e a:le to follo* its evolution also from an aggregate3 ,ers,e'tive&

24

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 38 #

Bosnia & .er@e"ovina

)n 19$4, .araHevo *as t(e (ost 'it2 for t(e <inter 0l2m,i' Games& T(is ,roves t(at s1iing alrea32 (a3 a (istor2 in @osnia an3 Her;egovina at t(e time& Ho*ever, t(e *ar in 1992 left tra'es t(at are still visi:le at s1i areas to3a2& )t is onl2 re'entl2 t(at maHor s1i areas (ave starte3 to mo3erni;e, eit(er :2 :uil3ing ne* s1i lifts or renovating ol3 ones, as *ell as :uil3ing ne* a''ommo3ations& T(an1s to t(ese infrastru'ture im,rovements, s1ier visits (ave in'rease3 in re'ent 2ears, an3 *it( it t(e (o,e t(at @osnia an3 Her;egovina *ill fin3 its ,la'e among international s1i areas& Ho*ever, most resorts 3o not at t(is stage (ave t(e means to install sno*ma1ing s2stems& +:out 4K of t(e @osnian ,o,ulation s1is an3 t(e 'ountr2 (as a total of 11 s1i areas, :ut some are too small to reall2 :e 'onsi3ere3& Most foreign visitors 'ome from .er:ia, .lovenia, Croatia or Montenegro& Ba(orina, @Helasni'a an3 )gman, t(e maHor s1i areas of @osnia an3 Her;egovina, are lo'ate3 in t(e .araHevo region& )n a33ition to t(ese ,o,ular ,la'es, Mount Dlasi', in t(e 'enter of t(e 'ountr2, also (osts a s1i resort& To*ar3s t(e <est, ?u,res an3 @li3inHe =atural 7ar1 are also t*o 3estinations for 'onnoisseurs& +ll resorts of t(e 'ountr2 ,rovi3e alternative a'tivities to s1iing, su'( as 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing an3 sno*mo:ile tours& )t is also ,ossi:le to nig(t s1i& + small 3etail, :ut *(i'( 'oul3 :e im,ortant for visitors: in @osnia an3 Her;egovina t(e roa3s are not routinel2 salte3 in t(e *inter& T(us, a''ess to s1i areas 'an sometimes :e 3iffi'ult& Ba(orina, *(i'( (oste3 some of t(e events 3uring t(e 19$4 0l2m,i' Games, ,resents itself as one of t(e greatest s1iing an3 tourism 'enters of t(e @al1ans& Gamage3 3uring t(e *ar in t(e 199"Es, t(e area (as sin'e :een refur:is(e3 an3 ne* (otels (ave :een :uilt& <it( its 2" 1ilometers of runs for s1iers of all levels, 4 '(airlifts (# 3ou:les an3 2 six-,a'1s!, 4 surfa'e lifts an3 a :a:2 lift, t(e resort features a total (ourl2 'a,a'it2 of 11J9"" s1iers& )t is lo'ate3 :et*een 1J#"" an3 1J$$" meters a:ove sea level& Disitors (ave a *i3e '(oi'e of restaurants an3 a sele'tion of (ostels to four-star (otels& +n all-3a2 lift ,ass amounts to less t(an 8>- 14& )t s(oul3 :e ,ointe3 out (o*ever, t(at t(e fa'ilities are ageing an3 t(ere is no sno*ma1ing& Grooming ma2 :e of ,oor Fualit2 an3 t(e runs are not al*a2s *ell mar1e3& + large ,art of t(e mountain *as turne3 into a national ,ar1 to ,reserve t(e natural :eaut2 of t(e region& T(e neig(:oring resort, @Helasni'a-)gman, *as also a former 0l2m,i' 'om,etition site& )t roun3s out its 5 runs of various levels, a total of 11 1ilometers of s1iing, *it( 2 s1i Hum,ing fa'ilities& Com,are3 to Ba(orina, t(is s1i area (as fe*er runs, :ut t(e2 are :etter main2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &0 #

Laurent Vanat

taine3& T(e u,(ill infrastru'ture in'lu3es 5 lifts, mostl2 surfa'e lifts, ,lus 1 '(airlift, for a total 'a,a'it2 of more t(an 5J""" s1iers ,er (our& + num:er of investments (ave :een ma3e at t(e resort in re'ent 2ears& )t is no* eFui,,e3 *it( a sno*ma1ing s2stem& Moreover, (otels (ave re'entl2 :een :uilt in t(e area& T(e restaurant sele'tion is still limite3, alt(oug( suffi'ient for t(e :asi' nee3s of t(e resort& T(e ,ri'e of an all-3a2 lift ,ass is roug(l2 eFuivalent to t(ose at Ba(orina& Dlasi' offers 14 1ilometers of runs, from :eginner to interme3iate, *ell suite3 for novi'e s1iers& )t (as 5 s1i lifts *it( a total u,(ill 'a,a'it2 of 4J5"" s1iers ,er (our& T(e runs are ,oorl2 groome3& .ome fa'ilities t(at (oste3 19$4 0l2m,i's 'om,etitions *ere 3amage3 3uring t(e *ar an3 not re:uilt& Ho*ever, t(e resort :elongs to a ,rivate o*ner *(o is investing to im,rove servi'es for t(e entire area& T(is mo3erni;ation aims at gaining t(e title of se'on3 :est s1i area in t(e 'ountr2 *it( regar3 to ,o,ularit2 an3 visits& Disitors *ill fin3 rooms in one of several ne* or renovate3 (otels, or at a fe* ,rivate a''ommo3ations ('ottages or ,ensions!& T(e small 'it2 of ?u,res (as a s1i area t(at features 4 runs for a total of 1# 1ilometers of s1iing, 2 '(airlifts an3 # surfa'e lifts& T(e area, *(i'( also (as 2J""" :e3s, is es,e'iall2 *ell-suite3 for :eginners& -isova', lo'ate3 in @li3inHe national ,ar1, (as 1 '(airlift an3 2 surfa'e lifts *it( a total (ourl2 'a,a'it2 of 2J95" s1iers& )t (as 4&4 1ilometers of s1i runs an3 a 'ertifie3 9). slalom run& T(e resort offers 6"" :e3s& + stu32 'on3u'te3 :2 t(e 9oreign )nvestment 7romotion +gen'2 of @osnia an3 Her;egovina ()9+7! 3ating from t(e 2ear 2""9 s(o*s t(at onl2 a fra'tion of t(e ,otential for *inter tourism is 'urrentl2 use3 in t(e 'ountr2& T(e 3o'ument ,ro,oses 3ifferent investments to im,rove infrastru'ture in t(e @osnian Mountains, *(i'( still la'1 a suffi'ient num:er of lifts, (ousing an3 ,ro,er s1i run maintenan'e&

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Bul"aria
@ulgaria is t(e (ig(est 'ountr2 of t(e @al1an region, *it( an average altitu3e of over 44" meters a:ove sea level& $ mountain '(ains rising (ig(er t(an 2E""" meters 'over one-t(ir3 of t(e 'ountr2& @ulgaria (as more t(an one (un3re3 s1i lifts s,rea3 a'ross #2 s1i areas& .even of t(ese (ave more t(an four s1i lifts ea'(& T(e ro:ust 3evelo,ment of s1iing in @ulgaria in t(e ,ast fe* 2ears is mainl2 3ue to signifi'ant investment in mountain resorts an3 t(e 'ountr2Es :i3 to (ost t(e <inter 0l2m,i's (3es,ite several attem,ts, t(e 'an3i3a'2 (as never :een retaine3!& )n a33ition, t(e Fualit2 of t(e servi'es an3 a'tivities offere3 (as also im,rove3& + fe* resorts ,ossess *orl3-'lass infrastru'ture& 0ne of t(e main assets of @ulgarian s1i resorts is t(eir ex'ellent ,ri'e/Fualit2 ratio, mu'( less ex,ensive *(en 'om,are3 to t(e +l,sI t(is attra'ts a num:er of international visitors& More t(an 4""E""" foreign tourists from -omania, Ma'e3onia, .er:ia, t(e >nite3 ?ing3om, 9ran'e an3 )srael visite3 @ulgariaEs s1i resorts last season& & Ges,ite t(e la'1 of offi'ial figures, s1i resorts are estimate3 to attra't roug(l2 1&2 million s1ier visits ,er 2ear& T(e 'ountr2Es most internationall2 reno*ne3 s1i resorts are @ans1o, @orovets an3 7am,orovo& @ans1o, often referre3 to as t(e <inter Ca,ital of t(e @al1ans an3 sai3 to :e t(e most mo3ern resort of 8astern 8uro,e, 'ontains a *i3e variet2 of (otels t(at range u, to 4 stars& T(e slo,es are eFui,,e3 *it( a mo3ern gon3ola an3 state-oft(e-art 3eta'(a:le '(airlifts& )nvestments of 8>- 1"" million *ere ma3e to u,gra3e t(e lift s2stem an3 t(e s1i slo,es, *(i'( ena:le3 @ans1o to gain international re'ognition :2 organi;ing 9). <orl3 Cu, .1i ra'es& @ans1o (as over 54 1ilometers of s1i runs an3 14 s1i lifts *it( a 'a,a'it2 of 2#E1"" ,eo,le ,er (our& T(e resort features man2 restaurants an3 a ver2 32nami' a,rs-s1i offering, *(i'( is (ig(l2 a,,re'iate3 :2 :ot( national an3 international tourists& @orovets s1i resort 'laims to :e t(e lea3er of t(e @ulgarian s1i mar1et an3 t(e :iggest s1i area of 8astern 8uro,e& )ts target mar1ets are families, 'ou,les an3 grou,s& @orovets (as 1$ s1i lifts *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 15E64" ,eo,le ,er (our& 7am,orovo, t(e sunniest of t(e
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &2 #

Laurent Vanat

@ulgarian mountain resorts, is nestle3 in t(e (eart of t(e -(o3o,es Mountains at 1E54" meters a:ove sea level& )t is t(e ,erfe't resort for :eginners an3 it 'laims to (ave one of t(e :est s1i s'(ools in 8astern 8uro,e& 7am,orovo (as 14 s1i lifts *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 14E""" ,eo,le ,er (our&

+ prus
<it( its forests, t(e Troo3os mountain range stret'(es a'ross most of t(e *estern si3e of C2,rus, offering a 'ool san'tuar2 in summer, an3 t(e o,,ortunit2 for *inter s,orts at t(e onl2 s1i area in t(e 'ountr2& )t offers s1iing un3er t(e :lue Me3iterranean s12P T(e s1i area is Hust a one (our 3rive from t(e seasi3e to*n of Aimassol or from t(e 'a,ital 'it2 =i'osia& )t is lo'ate3 on t(e slo,es of Mount 0l2m,us, *(i'( 'ulminates at 1E941 meters a:ove sea level, 2 1ilometers a*a2& T(e s1i area itself ranges from 1E$"" to 1E92" meters& )t features 4 lifts (1 '(airlift an3 # T-:ar lifts!, sno*ma1ing fa'ilities an3 a total of 2 1ilometers of s1iing s,rea3 over $ runs for all levels& T(e s1i area also offers 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing& T(e C2,rus .1i 9e3eration organi;es an international 9). s1i 'om,etition ever2 2ear at Troo3os Mountain, on t(e offi'iall2 san'tione3, #$"-meter long Ceus slalom run& T(e first ra'e *as (el3 in 1959, *it( ,arti'i,ants from 9 'ountries& T(e s1i season is rat(er s(ort, running usuall2 from t(e :eginning of Banuar2 to t(e en3 of Mar'(& .1iing (as a (istor2 (ere, (aving offi'iall2 starte3 in C2,rus in 1946, *it( t(e 'reation of t(e C2,rus .1i Clu:& +t t(at time, t(e roa3s *ere not ,lo*e3 an3 t(e ,ioneers use3 to *al1 to Troo3os in or3er to ,ra'ti'e t(eir s,ort& T(e first lift *as soon :uilt *it( lo'al means an3 ingenious i3eas from t(e ,ioneers& )n t(e late 194"Es, 2 ,orta:le lifts *ere installe3 in t(e *inter& T(e first mo3ern s1i lift starte3 o,erating in 1956 an3 is still in use to3a2&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &3 #

:stonia
<it( 'ol3 an3 sno*2 *inters, 8stonia offers 3e'ent 'on3itions for *inter s,orts& T(e *inter 'limate is one of t(e most sta:le in 8uro,e, *it( fe* su33en '(anges t(at 'oul3 (arm t(e s1i season& Ho*ever, 3ue to t(e la'1 of mountains (t(e (ig(est elevation is at .uur Munamagi, onl2 #1$ meters a:ove sea level! an3 lo* altitu3e, t(e sno* season is s(ort an3 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing an3 sno*s(oeing is mu'( more ,o,ular t(an al,ine s1iing& Cross-'ountr2 s1iing (as a long (istor2 (ere as t(e first 'om,etition *as (el3 as earl2 as 1921 in Tartu& )t later on :e'ame a 2earl2 tra3ition an3 T(e Tartu .1i Marat(on is *ell 1no*n an3 (ig(l2 atten3e3 :2 national an3 foreign 'ross-'ountr2 ent(usiasts& 0te,QQ is 'alle3 t(e <inter Ca,ital of 8stonia an3 (as (oste3 <orl3 Cu, 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing events& Ho*ever, 3o*n(ill s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing are :e'oming more an3 more ,o,ular *it( 2oungsters& 0ne (un3re3 meter long lo*-angle slo,es *or1 *ell for :eginners& Ho*ever, even if t(e2 are not ver2 long, t(ere are stee,er slo,es for more ex,erien'e3 s1iers& .everal s1i areas 3o not offer an2 lifts, *it( some :eing sim,l2 eFui,,e3 *it( a magi' 'ar,et t(at ma2 also :e use3 for sno* tu:ingI a fe* o:sta'les ma2 :e :uilt as a terrain ,ar1 for sno*:oar3ers& .everal rental s(o,s next to 'ross-'ountr2 trails also offer 3o*n(ill s1i eFui,ment, even if t(ere is Hust an a3Ha'ent uneFui,,e3 sno* (ill& More so,(isti'ate3 (ills offer a :eginner lift an3 groome3 slo,es& =ig(t s1iing is ,o,ular, as several s1i areas are eFui,,e3 *it( lig(te3 slo,es& T(is is also a ne'essit2 sin'e t(e 3a2s are ver2 s(ort in *inter at t(ese latitu3es& + fe* more ela:orate3 s1i 'enters are o,erate3 in various areas of t(e 'ountr2, on natural or artifi'ial (ills (mainl2 from mining *aste!& T(ere is an a3venture ,ar1 near ?ivioli t(at features some s1i runs, an3 a s1i 'enter in t(e so-'alle3 <(ite Mountains next to t(e 'it2 of Ta,a& T(e region of 0te,QQ, sout( of t(e 'it2 of Tartu, also offers some s1i runs s,rea3 over several s1i areas& T(is region (as t(e largest s1i areas in t(e 'ountr2I ?uutsmQe, featuring 4 lifts, an3 Muna1as, eFui,,e3 *it( # lifts&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # && #

+@e%h Repu$li%
T(e (ig(est summit in t(e C;e'( -e,u:li' is t(e 1E5"2 meter (ig( .nWX1a ,ea1& Ges,ite lo*er mountains t(an in t(e +l,s, t(ere is a large num:er of s1i resorts in t(e C;e'( -e,u:li' (a:out 16" s1i resorts *it( a total of almost $2" s1i lifts!, all of t(em lo'ate3 :et*een 9"" an3 1E#"" meters a:ove sea level& Most of t(ese resorts are easil2 a''essi:le from German2 or from t(e 'ountr2Es 'a,ital, 7rague& .no*ma1ing ena:les s1iing t(rou(gout t(e entire season, mitigating 'limate ris1s& 0ver t(e last 1" 2ears, resort infrastru'ture (as :een rene*e3 an3 ex,an3e3& 4" ne* lifts *ere 3elivere3 :2 t(e maHor manufa'turers& <it( 24 lifts, -o12tni'e =a3 Bi;erou is t(e largest resort& )ts target ,u:li' is s1iers of all levels, even t(oug( it (as ,re3ominantl2 :lue (eas2! slo,es& T(e resort is s,lit into t*o su: resorts (Horni Gom12 an3 .tu3enov!, an3 (as a total of 22&4 1ilometers of s1i runs& -o12tni'e =a3 Bi;erou is lo'ate3 in t(e nort(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2, in t(e Giant Mountains (?r1onoYe! an3 :elongs to s1iregion&';, t(e largest s1i area in t(e 'ountr2& .,in3leruv Ml2n is anot(er :ig resort& Ai1e -o12tni'e, it is s,lit into several su: resorts (.vat2 7etr, Hromov1a, Me3vW3Tn, Horni MTseZ12!& Hromov1a (as t(e se'on3 longest nig(t s1iing run (1E4"" meters! in t(e 'ountr2& )n 'ase of la'1 of natural sno*fall, sno*ma1ing 'overs $4K of t(e s1i area& .vat2 7etr (osts <orl3 Cu, +l,ine .1i ra'es, a'ro:ati' s1i events an3 sno*:oar3 ra'es& T(e resort (as 15 s1i lifts, 24 1ilometers of s1i runs, 5 of *(i'( are :la'1 (3iffi'ult! trails& +not(er resort t(at (osts man2 events is Horni Mise'12& + *ell-1no*n C;e'( s1i resort is 7e' ,o3 .nWX1ou, lo'ate3 *it(in t(e =ational 7ar1 of t(e Giant Mountains& )t (as 1" s1i lifts an3 a 3o;en s1i runs (1"&4 1ilometers!& T(e resort is lo'ate3 at t(e :ase of t(e 'ountr2Es (ig(est mountain, Mount .nWX1a& T(e first lift *as :uilt t(ere in t(e 194"Es& )n 2""9, a ,roHe't to renovate t(e ol3 '(airlift (still in servi'e! :et*een t(e resort an3 t(e s1i area *as initiate3& >nfortunatel2, t(e ,roHe't is no* on stan3-:2 as t(e '(airlift goes t(roug( t(e =ational 7ar1& 7e' ,o3 .nWX1ou offers a,,roximatel2 $E4"" :e3s& T(e season lasts from mi3 Ge'em:er to mi3 +,ril&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &' #

+not(er ,o,ular resort is MalR Morav1a-?arlov, in Moravia near Mount 7ra3W3, in t(e =ort(east& Gue to its lo* altitu3e (maximum 94" meters a:ove sea level!, it often la'1s of sno* an3 is not ver2 a,,ealing to ex,erien'e3 s1iers& T(e s1i runs are aligne3 one next to t(e ot(er an3 t(e verti'al 3ro, is limite3 to 14" meters& T(e resort (as 19 s1i lifts an3 14 s1i runs (6 1ilometers of s1iing!, 4 of *(i'( are :lue (eas2!& T(e most ,o,ular s1i resorts 3o not (ave t(e infrastru'ture to manage t(e flo* of s1iers an3 on :us2 3a2s *aiting in line 'an last u, to 2" minutes at ea'( lift&

)eor"ia
Georgia is lo'ate3 on t(e (istori' an3 geogra,(i' t(res(ol3 :et*een 8uro,e an3 +sia, :et*een t(e @la'1 .ea an3 t(e Cas,ian .ea& Mountains 'over a large ,art of t(e 'ountr2, *it( t(e Greater Cau'asus Mountains in t(e =ort( an3 t(e Aesser Cau'asus Mountains in t(e .out(& .ome rea'( im,ressive altitu3es, *it( t(e Mount .(1(ara, lo'ate3 on t(e :or3er *it( -ussia, 'ulminating at 4E2"1 meters a:ove sea level& Georgia use3 to :e one of t(e ,o,ular *inter s,orts 3estinations of t(e former .oviet >nion& <inter tourism alrea32 3evelo,e3 t(ere in t(e 196"Es& <it( its (uge mountains, t(ere are ,lent2 of o,,ortunities for mountaineering an3 numerous s,ots for (eli-s1iing& Georgia unsu''essfull2 :i3 for t(e 2"14 *inter 0l2m,i's& )t (o*ever attra'ts tourists from neig(:oring 'ountries, as *ell as from t(e >.+, German2, )srael an3 Tur1e2& )n a33ition to a fe* s1i areas *it( limite3 infrastru'ture, Georgia (as 2 resorts eFui,,e3 *it( lifts t(at also offer (eli-s1iing: Gu3auri is lo'ate3 in t(e Greater Cau'asus Mountains, 12" 1ilometers from T:ilisi, t(e 'a,ital of Georgia& Gu3auri (as guarantee3 sno* from =ovem:er to Ma2& T(e average sno*,a'1 is a:out 1&4 meters 3ee,& T(e resort rises to an altitu3e of #E""6 meters at t(e summit of Mount ?u3e:i& T(e area :enefits from goo3 *eat(er, in s,ite of it :eing at su'( a (ig( elevation& 9or t(e time :eing, a''ommo3ations are limite3 to a fe* rat(er sim,le (otels& T(e slo,es are eFui,,e3 *it( 4 '(airlifts, *(i'( (ave re'entl2 :een re,la'e3 or retrofitte3& Gu3auriEs slo,es are unmat'(e3 in t(e entire Cau'asus& T(e2 ,rovi3e am,le o,,ortunities for off-,iste s1iing& .1i mountaineering an3 (eli-s1iing are also ver2 ,o,ular in Gu3auri& @a1uriani, t(e se'on3 resort, is lo'ate3 on t(e Gi3veli slo,es of t(e Aesser Cau'asus Mountains, in t(e sout(eastern ,art of Georgia, at an altitu3e of 1E$"" meters& T(e (ig(est s1ia:le mountain of t(e re2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &( #

Laurent Vanat

sort is Mount ?o(ta, 'ulminating at aroun3 2E2"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e resort lies #" 1ilometers from @orHomi an3 is lo'ate3 *it(in t(e @a1uriani Ge,ression& )t is 'onne'te3 *it( @orHomi :2 an ele'trifie3 narro* gauge rail*a2 line& @a1uriani ,rovi3es 3o*n(ill an3 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing for s1iers of all a:ilities& T(e resort offers a''ommo3ations from #-star (otels to small ,rivate (otels an3 guest(ouses& )t (as 12 s1i runs of var2ing 3iffi'ult2& + ne* gon3ola an3 '(airlifts *ere re'entl2 a33e3& T(e resort is famil2 oriente3, *it( a 2ear roun3 offering& T(e forest-'overe3 mountains, t(e mineral *ater s,rings, t(e roa3s lea3ing to t(e s,e'ta'ular natural or 'ultural monuments of t(e @orHomi Dalle2 are a,,ealing for va'ations& T(e 0l2m,i' Committee of Georgia nominate3 t(e to*n of @orHomi (along *it( its main *inter resort @a1uriani! as a 'an3i3ate to (ost t(e 2"1$ 0l2m,i' Games& T(e :i3 *as unsu''essful& =e* resorts (ave also :een ,lanne3& 0ne is at Go3er3;i 7ass& T(e Georgian Ge,artment of Tourism (as :een 'ontra'ting *it( a foreign 'om,an2 in or3er to 3evelo, a ne* s1i resort in t(e (ig( mountains of +3Hara& T(e resort *ill a''ommo3ate a:out 12E""" tourists& T(e resort is uniFue 3ue to its lo'ation 2E4"" meters a:ove sea level an3 9" 1ilometers from @atumi& )t *as ex,e'te3 to o,en :2 2"12& +not(er ,roHe't is lo'ate3 in t(e remote (ig(-mountain to*n of Mestia, *(ere offi'ials (o,e to esta:lis( a 2ear roun3 tourist 3estination, *it( an initial :u3get of >.G 144 million& Constru'tion on anot(er resort a,,ears to :e un3er*a2 a:out 14 minutes outsi3e of T:ilisi&

)ree%e
.1iing in Gree'e is a uniFue ex,erien'e& .ur,rising as it ma2 soun3, alt(oug( Gree'e is *ell 1no*n for its *arm sunn2 *eat(er an3 :eautiful :ea'(es, s1iing is *ell 3evelo,e3& T(is is no se'ret for Gree1s an3 a (an3ful of ot(er 8uro,eans& @ut t(e maHorit2 of s1iers in 8uro,e, t(e >nite3 .tates an3 ot(er 'ountries aroun3 t(e *orl3 fail to imagine t(e numerous ,ossi:ilities t(at Gree'e 'an offer for s1iing& Mountains 'over $"K of Gree'e *it( a maHorit2 of ,ea1s to,,ing out at over 1E4"" meters a:ove sea level, t(us ,rovi3ing some areas *it( i3eal 'on3itions for t(e 3evelo,ment of *inter s,orts resorts& T(ese resorts are lo'ate3 all over Gree'e& )n 'entral Gree'e t(ere are t(e resorts of 7arnassos, ?ar,enissi (Delou'(i!, Dassilitsa an3 7ilion& )n =ort(ern Gree'e, in t(e (istori'al region of Ma'e3onia (not to :e 'onfuse3 *it( t(e 'ountr2 near:2!, t(ere are t(e resorts of .eli, Tria7ente 7iga3ia an3 ?aima1tsalan& )n t(e 7elo,onnesus, in .out(ern Gree'e, t(ere are t(e resorts of ?alavr2ta an3 Mainalo& Gree'e (as a

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &3 #

total of 21 s1i resorts an3 t(ose mentione3 a:ove are t(e most *ell1no*n, an3 also eFui,,e3 *it( mo3ern infrastru'ture& Guring t(e *inter season man2 Gree1s enHo2 *inter s,orts an3 alt(oug( all s1iers are not as *ell traine3 as t(e in(a:itants of +l,ine 'ountries, t(e level of s1iers, es,e'iall2 '(il3ren, is ,rogressing 'onsi3era:l2 ever2 2ear& .1iing is still tren32 in Gree'e, an3 most s1i resorts are full *it( s1iers an3 visitors on t(e *ee1en3& T(e largest s1i resort is 7arnassos .1i -esort, in Central Gree'e, onl2 2"" 1ilometers from +t(ens, an3 ver2 'lose to t(e antiFuities of t(e *ell 1no*n an'ient 'it2 of Gel,(i& -uns range from 1E5"" to 2E24" meters& T(e 9terola1a s1i area *as :uilt in 1964 an3 in 19$1 t(e ?ellaria s1i area *as rea32 to fun'tion& To3a2 it (as 19 runs for a total of #5 1ilometers of s1iing& 9terola1a an3 ?ellaria (ave 14 lifts: 1 gon3ola, 5 '(airlifts an3 6 surfa'e lifts& T(e Gerontovra'(os s1i area near:2 offers anot(er 2 lifts& T(is is t(e onl2 resort in Gree'e t(at (as a funitel t2,e gon3ola lift& )t is 1E61# meters long *it( a verti'al 3ro, of 462 meters an3 a 'a,a'it2 of 2E""" ,eo,le ,er (our& T(e 8rmis lift t(at 'one'ts 9terola11a an3 ?ellaria *as :uilt in 19$$ an3 offers s1iers an3 visitors un:elieva:le vie*s& Aoo1ing to t(e =ort( one 'an a3mire t(e Mountain of t(e Go3s, 0l2m,usI loo1ing to t(e .out(, t(e 'lear :lue *aters of t(e :eautiful Corint(ian Gulf& )n 7arnassos, one 'an s1i in t(e morning an3 :at(e in t(e sea at lun'( time& )t is usuall2 o,erate3 t(roug(out t(e 2ear, in'lu3ing t(e summer season *(en it ,rovi3es (i1ing o,,ortunities for resi3ents an3 tourists& T(e *inter season starts in Ge'em:er an3 usuall2 en3s in +,ril& 7arnassos (as (oste3 multi,le 9). al,ine s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing ra'es at t(e en3 of Mar'(-+,ril, an3 foreign ra'ers (ave al*a2s :een sur,rise3 :2 t(e Fuantit2 an3 Fualit2 of sno*& )n Central Gree'e, asi3e from t(e s1i resort of 7arnassos, t(ere is t(e s1i resort of ?ar,enissi (Delou'(i!, 'lose to t(e 'it2 of ?ar,enissi& T(e resort is lo'ate3 at an altitu3e of 1E64" meters an3 to,s out at 2E""" meters& )t (as t(ree '(airlifts, # surfa'e lifts an3 12 runs& +not(er s1i resort in Central Gree'e is Dassilitsa, 'lose to t(e 'it2 of ?ar3itsa& T(e sno* 'on3itions are ver2 goo3 an3 it (as 2 '(airlifts an3 4 surfa'e lifts of var2ing lengt(s, ranging from 9"" to 2E""" meters long& T(e +griolef1es s1i resort (Central Gree'e! on mount 7ilion, near to t(e 'it2 of Dolos, is lo'ate3 :et*een 1E16$ meters an3 1E461 meters elevation& )t is one of t(e ol3est s1i resorts in Gree'e an3 (as # '(airlifts, # surfa'e lifts an3 4 1ilometers of runs& +not(er *ell-1no*n s1i resort is ?alavr2ta on t(e 7elo,onnesus (sout(ern Gree'e!& )t is lo'ate3 2"" 1ilometers from +t(ens in t(e region of +'(aia& )t is nestle3 at an altitu3e of 1E54" meters, *it(
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &5 #

Laurent Vanat

runs as (ig( as 2E#4" meters& )t (as 6 lifts an3 more t(an 1" runs& T(e s1i resort of Mainalon is also lo'ate3 on t(e 7elo,onnesus, near t(e 'it2 of Tri,olis, at an altitu3e of 1E4"" meters, *it( a to, elevation of 1E$5" meters& )t features 4 lifts an3 $ runs& T(e largest s1i resort in =ort(ern Gree'e, in t(e region of (istori'al Ma'e3onia, is Mount ?aima1tsalan& )ts s1i area is lo'ate3 :et*een 2E"4" an3 2E4$" meters a:ove sea level& )t features 1" runs for a total of 4 1ilometers of s1iing& )t (as 6 lifts, in'lu3ing a '(airlift an3 5 surfa'e lifts& .1iers 'an ta1e a3vantage of 4#" meters of verti'al 3ro,& )t also (as a (alf ,i,e an3 sno*,ar1 for ex,erien'e3 sno*:oar3ers an3 s1iers& .no*ma1ing eFui,ment in'lu3es 4 mo:ile 'annons an3 5 sno* lan'es& +not(er s1i resort in =ort(ern Gree'e in t(e (istori'al region of Ma'e3onia is t(e #-4 7iga3ia, lo'ate3 :et*een 1E4#" to 2E""4 meters elevation, near t(e to*n of =aousa on Mount Dermion& T(ere is 1 '(airlift an3 4 surfa'e lifts, as *ell as 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing& T(is resort is use3 :2 man2 national teams (foot:all U tra'1 an3 fiel3, et'&! as a training 'am,, an3 (as to,-not'( eFui,ment& Most of t(e .u,er G ra'es in Gree'e ta1e ,la'e in #-4 7iga3ia, as t(e slo,e lengt( meets 9). stan3ar3s& T(e s1i resort is eFui,,e3 *it( sno*ma1ing eFui,ment to ensure ex'ellent sno* 'on3itions t(roug(out t(e entire s1i season& T(e .eli s1i resort, *(ere t(e first ever s1i lift in Gree'e *as installe3 in 1944, near t(e to*n of Deroia, is among t(e most :eautiful s1i resorts in Gree'e& .eli is lo'ate3 at an altitu3e of 1E414 meters, an3 to,s out at 1E$64 meters& )t (as 1 '(airlift an3 $ surfa'e lifts t(at serve 14 runs& Cross-'ountr2 s1iing is also Fuite ,o,ular in .eli& )n all t(e a:ove s1i resorts, t(ere are offi'iall2 san'tione3 s1i slo,es t(at (ost 9). al,ine an3 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing ra'es ever2 2ear& +ll s1i resorts (ave restaurants, 'afeterias, s1i s'(ools, s1i s(o,s, s1i rentals an3 me3i'al fa'ilities&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # &8 #

.un"ar
8vent t(oug( onl2 2K of Hungar2 is lo'ate3 (ig(er t(an 4"" meters a:ove sea level, a num:er of small s1i areas exist& + mountainous region stret'(ing for over 4"" 1ilometers is lo'ate3 in t(e nort(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2 next 3o t(e .lova1 :or3er& )t 'onsists of Mount @a1on2, Mount Dertes an3 Mount ?e1es (1E"14 meters!, t(e (ig(est ,ea1 of t(e 'ountr2 lo'ate3 in t(e Matra Mountains& .1iing (as :e'ome ,o,ular in Hungar2: a:out 4""E""" of t(e 1" million Hungarians s1i& Ho*ever, more t(an 9"K of t(em travel a:roa3 for *inter s,orts, as t(e Hungarian mountains are not (ig( enoug(, t(e s1i lifts are some*(at aniFuate3 an3 sno* 'overage is insuffi'ient& T(us, s1ier visits in t(e 'ountr2 are onl2 estimate3 to :e (alf a million& T(ere are #4 s1i areas *it( a total of 6" s1i lifts in Hungar2& 0nl2 4 resorts (ave more t(an 4 s1i lifts ea'(& T(e most im,ortant ones are @Rn1[t U @N11, MRtras;entistvRn, DisegrR3 =ag2villRm an3 8,lMn2& @Rn1[t U @N11 is one of t(e most ,o,ular s1i resorts in Hungar2& )ts summit elevation is 9#" meters a:ove sea level& T(e $ s1i lifts (ave a 'a,a'it2 of 2E""" ,ersons ,er (our& Go:og\1], t(e smallest Hungarian s1i area (as onl2 2 s1i trails, ea'( a:out 1$" meters long, an3 is ver2 ,o,ular *it( :eginners&

Iran
Mo3ern s1iing *as intro3u'e3 in )ran aroun3 19#"& Germans, *(o *ere in t(e 'ountr2 to :uil3 t(e national rail*a2, an3 )ranian stu3ents, *(o stu3ie3 in .*it;erlan3 an3 9ran'e an3 learne3 to s1i t(ere, (el,e3 to intro3u'e t(e s,ort& )n 1946, t(e 0l2m,i' 9e3eration of )ran an3 t(e )ranian .1i 9e3eration *ere foun3e3& T(e first lift *as installe3 in 1941& )ran *as re,resente3 for t(e first time in (istor2 :2 a s1ier in t(e *omenEs 'om,etition at t(e Dan'ouver <inter 0l2m,i' Games in 2"1"& Most s1i resorts *ere :uilt 3uring t(e reign of t(e .(a(& <(en (e *as overt(ro*n in t(e 1969 revolution, t(e )ranian 'lerg2 'lose3 all s1i areas as t(e2 *ere 'onsi3ere3 to :e em:lemati' of t(e 3e'a3ent

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # '0 #

*estern lifest2le& )n t(e mi3-19$"Es, gro*ing 3eman3 ,ut ,ressure on t(e Government to re'onsi3er its ,osition an3 reo,en t(e s1i resorts& To3a2, t(ere are a 3o;en in o,eration, among *(i'( t(e most im,ortant are aroun3 Te(ran in t(e +l:or; mountain range, in t(e nort(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2& T(e (ig(est ,ea1 in )ran is lo'ate3 (ere, Mount Gamavan3, a giant 3ormant vol'ano rising to over 4J5"" meters a:ove sea level& 8ven if several ne* gon3olas *ere 3elivere3 in t(e 2"""Es, t(e infrastru'ture is rat(er ol3 an3 fa'ilities often limite3& Ho*ever, t(e resorts are lo'ate3 at (ig( altitu3e an3 (ave ex'ellent sno* 'on3itions& T(e :iggest resort in )ran an3 even in t(e Mi33le 8ast is Gi;in, nort( of t(e 'a,ital& 9oun3e3 in 1959, its s1i area lies :et*een 2J54" an3 #J5"" meters a:ove sea level& )t 'overs 46" (e'tares an3 re'eives a:out 6 meters of sno* ,er 2ear& <it( 2# runs for all levels, # gon3olas, # '(airlifts an3 9 surfa'e lifts, it is t(e first s1i area in )ran to (ave :een offi'iall2 re'ogni;e3 :2 t(e 9). as suita:le to (ost offi'iall2 san'tione3 international 'om,etitions& Gi;in (as 2 (otels, 19 'ottages, villas an3 ,rivate a,artments& +n all-3a2 lift ,ass is '(ea, 'om,are3 to *estern stan3ar3s, *it( a ,ri'e no (ig(er t(an 8>- 14& .everal resorts also offer s,ring an3 summertime a'tivities, su'( as tennis, volle2:all, 'lim:ing, mountain :i1ing or grass s1iing& +lt(oug( runs are no longer segregate3 :et*een men an3 *omen, t(e lifts still are& T(ere are t*o se,arate lines an3 it is illegal for a man an3 a *oman to s(are a gon3ola& .(ems(a1 is t(e se'on3 largest s1i area of t(e 'ountr2& Ao'ate3 nort(east of t(e 'a,ital, it o,ene3 its 3oors in 194$ an3 lies :et*een 2J44" an3 #J"#" meters a:ove sea level& <it( 2 '(airlifts, 4 surfa'e lifts an3 $ runs, it is *ell-suite3 for ex,erien'e3 s1iers an3 sno*:oar3ers& T(e resort offers t(e o,,ortunit2 to s1i at nig(t as *ell as 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing& T(ere is onl2 one offi'ial (otel, .(ems(a1 Hotel, :uilt in t(e st2le of an ol3 +ustrian '(alet, as t(e resort (as a3o,te3 a some*(at <estern st2le& T(e To'(al re'reation 'om,lex, *(i'( is 'onne'te3 to Te(ran :2 a 6se'tion gon3ola lift, features a s1i area at t(e to,& )n a33ition to t(e gon3ola, t(ere are # '(airlifts an3 1 surfa'e lift t(at serve t(e 4 runs& +:-+li is t(e ol3est resort in )ran, *(ere t(e first lift *as :uilt in 1941& )t (el,e3 to instigate t(e 3evelo,ment of s1iing in t(e 'ountr2& -e'entl2 renovate3, it (as a fe* ne* lifts: 1 gon3ola an3 $ surfa'e lifts for a total (ourl2 'a,a'it2 of 4J4"" ,eo,le& T(e 4&4 1ilometers of runs at t(is s1i area, lo'ate3 :et*een 2J4"" an3 2J54" meters elevation, are *ell-suite3 for :eginners an3 interme3iate level s1iers& T(e ne*est s1i area in t(e 'ountr2 is Gar:an3-.ar, o,ene3 in 19$2& Ge2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # '1 #

signe3 for :eginners an3 interme3iate s1iers, it (as 4 lifts: 2 '(airlifts an3 2 surfa'e lifts& )ranian s1i resorts reFuire ne* investments, as most of t(em still o,erate eFui,ment from t(e late 196"Es& Ho*ever, t(is *oul3 reFuire ,romoting s1iing at a national level to attra't more s1iers an3 to in'rease resort revenues in or3er to ,rovi3e t(e finan'ial means to ma1e an2 ne* investments& <it( regar3 to foreign visitors, 'urrentl2, a,art from t(e o''asional 3i,lomat, tourists are rare at s1i areas aroun3 Te(ran&

>a@akhstan
?a;a1(stan is a :ig 'ountr2, ran1ing 9t( in t(e *orl3 in area& )t offers a variet2 of terrain, from 3esert ;ones, *(i'( 'over nearl2 (alf of t(e 'ountr2, to (ig( mountains in t(e .out(east& T(e (ig(est ,ea1 of t(e Tien .(an Mountains rises to 6E4#9 meters a:ove sea level, an3 t(e mountainous '(ain t(at 'ontinues *ell into C(ina, starts from t(e su:ur:s of +lmat2& )n most areas t(ere is a *i3e tem,erature 3ifferen'e :et*een summer an3 *inter, *(i'( 'an :e ver2 'ol3& T(e s1i season :egins in mi3-=ovem:er an3 lasts until mi3-+,ril& More an3 more ?a;a1(s are 3is'overing t(e ,leasures of s1iing& T(ere (as :een a s1i resort next to +lmat2 for a long time, 'alle3 C(im:ula1& )t starte3 to attra't s1iers :2 t(e en3 of t(e 194"Es, an3 in 1944 it *as esta:lis(e3 as a s1i resort an3 eFui,,e3 *it( its first s1i lift& .1i 'om,etitions *ere (el3 t(ere, an3 until 1952 it (a3 a mono,ol2 on s1iing in t(e .oviet >nion& .in'e 19$#, it (as o,erate3 as an 0l2m,i' 'enter for 3o*n(ill s1i training an3 furt(er lifts *ere a33e3& T(e resort (as re'entl2 :een refur:is(e3, *it( # ne* lifts out of a total of 6& )t even (as one of t(e longest gon3olas in t(e *orl3, *it( a 4E462 meter se'tion t(at ,rovi3es eas2 a''ess to t(e s1i area& T(e resort is lo'ate3 in t(e Cailii +latau Mountains& T(ere are a total of 64 1ilometers of runs :et*een 2E2"" to #E15# meters elevation& .ome of t(e runs are 9). 'ertifie3& T(e resort (oste3 t(e 2"11 +sian <inter Games& T(e famous Me3eo i'e rin1 is lo'ate3 at t(e :ase of t(e mountain, *(ere numerous 'om,etitions (ave :een (el3, an3 12" *orl3 re'or3s esta:lis(e3& +not(er maHor resort in ?a;a1(stan is Ta:agan / Talgar, re'entl2 refur:is(e3 *it( 4 ne* lifts, an3 also not far from +lmat2&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # '2 #

)n a33ition to t(ese *ell 1no*n resorts t(ere are several ot(er s1i areas, lo'ate3 eit(er in t(e +lmat2 -egion (8n:e1s(i1a;a1s12 resort! or in t(e eastern ,art of ?a;a1(stan& )n t(e latter, s1i areas are lo'ate3 in t(e su:ur:s of 'ities su'( as >st-?amenogors1, C2r2anovs1& T(e =urtau resort, +lta^s +l,s, 83el*eiss, .tar3ust Cam, an3 8agle s1i areas offer a *i3e variet2 of runs for all levels of s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing&

> r" @stan

?2rg2;stan is a small 'ountr2 *it( Hust over five million ,eo,le an3 is often 'om,are3 to .*it;erlan3 :e'ause of its ,otential for t(e 3evelo,ment of al,ine s1iing& )n3ee3, t(e 'limate an3 t(e signifi'ant verti'al 3ro, are fa'tors t(at ,rovi3e favora:le 'on3itions for s1iing& 0ver 9"K of t(e 'ountr2 is mountainous an3 a maHorit2 of t(e ,ea1s rise to over #E""" meters (ig(& T(e (ig(est summit, 7o:e3o 7ea1, is at an elevation of 6J1#4 meters a:ove sea level& .1iing is (o*ever at t(is stage not *i3el2 3evelo,e3, even t(oug( t(e 'ountr2 (as 15 s1i areas, man2 of t(em near t(e 'a,ital 'it2 of @is(1e1& T(e2 are small, often *it( onl2 one (otel, :ut t(e2 all feature t(e usual range of stan3ar3 servi'es su'( as eFui,ment rentals or s1i s'(ools& Ao'ate3 6 1ilometers from t(e to*n of ?ara1ol, on t(e slo,es of t(e mountain '(ain of t(e same name, t(e :ase area of Tian-.(an is lo'ate3 2E#"" meters a:ove sea level& )t (as a tem,erate 'limate an3 offers vie*s of t(e se'on3 largest mountain la1e in t(e *orl3, Aa1e )ss21 ?ul& Most of t(e 2" 1ilometers of runs 3es'en3 t(roug( t(e forest, are of var2ing 3iffi'ult2 an3 :et*een 4"" an3 #E4"" meters in lengt(& T(e (ig(est ,oint of t(e resort is #J"4" meters a:ove sea level, ,rovi3ing a verti'al 3ro, of $"" meters& ?ara1ol features 4 lifts: 2 3ou:le an3 2 tri,le '(airlifts& T(e sno*fall averages 2 meters ,er 2ear an3 offers a suffi'ient :ase for t(e entire s1i season 3ue to lo* tem,eratures 3uring t(e nig(t& )n a33ition to 3o*n(ill s1iing, t(ere are also ,lent2 of ,ossi:ilities for :a'1'ountr2 s1iing, mountaineering or sno*mo:ile tours& 0,ene3 in 1956, 0rlov1a (as gro*n in re'ent 2ears& + ne* lift *as :uilt, as *ell as ne* :uil3ings ('ottages, restaurant!& Aig(ting for nig(t s1iing *as installe3 an3 t(e resort (as a'Fuire3 its first sno*-

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ma1ing eFui,ment, :e'oming one of t(e fe* in t(e 'ountr2 a:le to guarantee sno* t(roug(out t(e entire season& T(e resort (as a total of 4 lifts: 4 '(airlifts an3 1 surfa'e lift, *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 4E2"" s1iers ,er (our& .1iers (ave a''ess to 9 runs of var2ing 3iffi'ult2 an3 :et*een 14" an3 2E9"" meters long& .no*mo:ile rentals are also availa:le& =orus, a:out 4" 1ilometers from t(e 'a,ital, is lo'ate3 at 1J9$" meters a:ove sea level& )t (as # lifts an3 14 1ilometers of trails for all levels& T(e area is (o*ever ,arti'ularl2 *ell-suite3 for '(il3ren& T(ere are also 3ro, off ;ones for (eli-s1iing& #4 1ilometers from @is(1e1, t(e ?as(1a-.uu s1i area is lo'ate3 at 2E""" meters a:ove sea level& T*o lifts (1 '(airlift an3 1 surfa'e lift! serve 5 runs of var2ing levels for a total of 1" 1ilometers of s1iing& + sauna, an i'e rin1 an3 'onferen'e rooms are also availa:le to visitors&

Latvia
<it( t(e (ig(est (ill Hust #11 meters a:ove sea level, Aatvia is not a mountainous 'ountr2& Ho*ever, sno* is an integral ,art of t(e *inter season, an3 over re'ent 2ears, s1iing (as gaine3 mu'( interest& T(e s(ort :ut stee, slo,es offer a suita:le lo'ation for Fui'1 runs on s1is or on a sno*:oar3& <(ile it ma2 seem unusual, al,ine s1iing is one of t(e favorite *inter-time a'tivities in Aatvia, s1i runs are lo'ate3 in almost ever2 to*n, as *ell as *ell-mar1e3 an3 *ell-lit runs *(ere one 'an 'ross-'ountr2 s1i& .in'e verti'al 3ro, is al*a2s limite3 (often less t(an 1"" meters!, most s1i areas are eFui,,e3 *it( onl2 one or a fe* surfa'e lifts, an3 sometimes a small '(airlift& .1i areas are also often limite3 to one onl2 run&

Laurent Vanat

T(e s1i season usuall2 starts in t(e first Fuarter of Ge'em:er an3 finis(es in t(e last *ee1 of Mar'(& Most s1i runs are eFui,,e3 for nig(t s1iing& T(e s1i area of -ie1stu1alns is ver2 'lose to -iga& )t features $ runs an3 11 lifts an3 some sno*ma1ing eFui,ment& T(e longest run is #4" meters long&

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)n t(e =ort(, t(e resort of @aili (as 6 lifts an3 1""K sno*ma1ing& T(e longest run is 1$" meters long& )n t(e <est, t(ere are t(e s1i areas of Mil;1alns, *it( $ lifts, an3 Cvie3ru Ce,ure (4 lifts, also eFui,,e3 *it( a summer to:oggan run!& T(e re'reational ,ar1 of Aem:erga HNte offers a re'entl2 fur:is(e3 slo,e on a manma3e (ill next to Dents,ils& .in'e 2""4, t(is (ill (as :een ma3e (ig(er ever2 2ear, using 'onstru'tion 3e:ris an3 t(e ol3 as,(alt from re,ave3 streets& )t is no* 42 meters (ig( an3 eFui,,e3 *it( # lifts as *ell as sno*ma1ing& +s *it( some ot(er s1i (ills in Aatvia, it turns into an a3venture ,ar1 in t(e summer an3 is a ,o,ular leisure an3 s,orting fa'ilit2 for t(e in(a:itants of Dents,ils& T(e area aroun3 .igul3a (as at least 5 s1i runs& T(ere is, for exam,le, t(e re'reational 'enter in ?a1itis, ?or3e slo,e an3 t(e leisure 'om,lex in -eina Trase, *(i'( is lo'ate3 a little :it fart(er& T(e onl2 'a:le 'ar in t(e 'ountr2 (*(i'( :2 t(e *a2 is also t(e onl2 one in t(e @alti's! is also lo'ate3 in .igul3a an3 'onne'ts :ot( si3es of t(e GauHa -iver& Ho*ever, it is not use3 for s1iing& =ext to t(e 'it2 of Cesis, t(e s1i areas of Cagar1alns an3 0;onl1alns offer various infrastru'ture, in'lu3ing a '(airlift, sno*ma1ing, a sno*,ar1, a :eginner an3 '(il3renEs ;one, s1i s'(ools an3 'afMs& T(e longest run is 4"" meters long&

Lithuania
Ait(uania is a rat(er flat 'ountr2 *it( some gentl2 rolling (ills :ut no real mountains, as its (ig(est ,oint is 294 meters a:ove sea level& Ait(uanians starte3 to s(o* interest in s1iing onl2 a fe* 2ears ago an3 ,rimaril2 'on'entrate3 on 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing, :ut t(ere are also a fe* 3o*n(ill s1i areas& Most of t(em are limite3 to sno* fiel3s on (ills, offering a fe* (un3re3 meters of slo,es, eFui,,e3 *it( one or more lifts, *(ere s1iers 'an ,a2 for a 2 (our ,ass t(at in'lu3es eFui,ment rental& =o s1i area (as more t(an 4 lifts& T(e maHorit2 are lo'ate3 a:out $" 1ilometers from t(e 'a,ital 'it2 of Dilnius& T(e2 also 3o not offer (otel a''ommo3ations, :ut some 'ountr2 (ouses are availa:le for rental near some s1i areas& .ome also offer nig(t s1iing an3 (ave sno*ma1ing s2stems& +n in3oor s1i 'enter o,ene3 in 2"11& +t a 'ost of 8>- #2 million, it offers Ait(uanians t(e o,,ortunit2 to s1i 2ear-roun3& T(e fa'ilit2 is

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one of t(e ver2 fe* in t(e *orl3 to feature an out3oor slo,e 3uring t(e *inter season& +s t(e ot(er out3oor s1i areas are rat(er small in si;e, t(is 54" meter-long out3oor slo,e is one of t(e longest in t(e 'ountr2& T(e s1i season in Ait(uania is a :it ,e'uliar *(en 'om,are3 to resorts in t(e +l,s& )t :egins in .e,tem:er *it( t(e first sno*fall, an3 en3s in 9e:ruar2& Ho*ever, *inters are ,rett2 sta:le&

Ma%e!onia
Ma'e3onia is a small lan3lo'1e3 'ountr2, in t(e sout(ernmost ,art of *(at *as on'e Ougoslavia& -ea'(ing altitu3es u, to 2E654 meters (Mount ?ora:!, t(e 'ountr2Es mountainous region :oasts sno* 'overage t(roug( t(e en3 of Ma2, in s,ite of its sout(ern lo'ation& Civil *ar an3 regional 'onfli'ts 'onsi3era:l2 slo*e3 t(e ,a'e of s1i in3ustr2 3evelo,ment& 8ven if t(e 'ountr2 is emerging as a :u3get *inter 3estination, *it( *ee1-long lift ,asses at 8>- 59&"", s1i areas are still ,rimaril2 visite3 :2 lo'al Ma'e3onian s1iers& Gue to t(e 'onfli't, t(e 'ountr2 (as (a3 a (ar3 time :uil3ing u, a s1ier ,o,ulation :ase large enoug( to su,,ort s1i resorts an3 offer state-of-t(e-art fa'ilities& Aifts, trail mar1ing, grooming an3 even 'leanliness are not 2et u, to *estern stan3ar3s& T(e s1i areas ten3 to :e 'ro*3e3 :2 lo'als on t(e *ee1en3s, *it( long lifts lines, an3 em,t2 on *ee13a2s, *(en lifts ma2 even 'lose& T(e foreign 'ustomer-:ase is 'urrentl2 limite3 to +l:anians, Gree1s an3 @ulgarians& T(e Care Aa;arevs1i s1i area, in Mavrovo national ,ar1, a one (our 3rive from t(e 'a,ital 'it2, is t(e largest in Ma'e3onia& )t (as 14 lifts, an3 to,s out at 1J$5" meters a:ove sea level& T(e resort features several (otel a''ommo3ations, in'lu3ing 4-star (otels& )t (as 9). a,,rove3 3o*n(ill, su,er giant slalom an3 giant slalom runs& Ho*ever, t(e lift infrastru'ture is ageing, *it( no (ig(-s,ee3 3eta'(a:le lifts&

Laurent Vanat

7o,ova .a,1a, anot(er one of t(e most ,o,ular resorts, is lo'ate3 in t(e nort(*estern ,art of Ma'e3onia, Hust #4 1ilometers from t(e 'a,ital of .1o,He& <it( :ars, restaurants an3 (otel a''ommo3ations, it is a:le to attra't foreign 'ustomers& T(e s1i area is eFui,,e3 *it( 9 lifts& )t (as (oste3 :ot( 8uro,ean an3 @al1an s1i '(am,ions(i,s& 0ne of t(em, t(e .(ara Mountain Cu,, 3ates :a'1 to 1946& 7o,ova .a,1a *as lin1e3 to t(e neig(:oring 'it2 of Tetovo via a 6-1ilometer long 'a:le 'ar t(at *as 3estro2e3 in t(e 2""1 (ostilities& .lo,es are lo'at-

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e3 :et*een 1E6"$ meters an3 2E41" meters a:ove sea level, an3 t(e sno*,a'1 lasts 1#4 3a2s ,er *inter on average& Ao'ate3 next to t(e :or3er *it( Gree'e, .1i Centar ?oXuf is t(e onl2 s1i area in t(e 'ountr2 re'entl2 eFui,,e3 *it( ne* lifts from one of t(e maHor manufa'turers& 8ven t(oug( it onl2 (as # lifts, t(ere is a 8>- 6# million 3evelo,ment ,lan to exten3 t(e resort an3 a33 furt(er lifts an3 a''ommo3ations& 9inall2, a s,e'ial mention for t(e .(ar,lania s1i area, *(i'( :rings s1iers to t(e to, of ,ristine slo,es :2 using 2 sno*'ats sin'e t(e area is not eFui,,e3 *it( lifts& 14 freeri3ers 'an sit in ea'( sno*'at&

Montene"ro
?no*n ,rimaril2 for its sun-1isse3 'oastline, Montenegro also offers ,lent2 of mountain s'ener2, la1es an3 t(e longest 'an2on in 8uro,e, t(roug( *(i'( t(e Tara -iver flo*s& T(e 'ountr2 (as a lot of mountains an3 valle2s& T(e (ig(est ,ea1s in Montenegro rise to over 2E4"" meters a:ove sea level (MaHa ?olata, 7ro1letiHe Mountain, 2E4#4 metresI @o:otov 1u1, Gurmitor Mountain, 2E42# metres!& .ome *inters re'eive extremel2 (eav2 sno*fallI 3uring t(ese *inters, some ,la'es 'an get ina''essi:le :2 'ar& T(ere are several *inter resorts for :ot( 3o*n(ill an3 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing& T(e most ,o,ular ones are ?olasin an3 Gurmitor, *(i'( are at t(e foot of :eautiful massive mountains& T(e resort of ?olasin 144" is t(e most mo3ern resort in t(e 'ountr2& Ao'ate3 in Be;erine, near to t(e 'it2 of ?olasin, it *as 1no*n in t(e ,ast un3er t(e name of @Helasi'a .1i Centre& +fter :eing a'Fuire3 in a :an1ru,t'2 ,ro'ee3ing, it *as rename3, 3evelo,e3 an3 some lifts *ere re,la'e3& + (ig(-s,ee3 5 ,erson 3eta'(a:le '(airlift *as re'entl2 installe3 (2"1"!, in a33ition to 1 ot(er fixe3-gri, '(airlift an3 # surfa'e lifts& T(e s1i area features t(e onl2 sno*ma1ing s2stem in Montenegro& ?olasin 144" offers :ot( *inter an3 summer a'tivities& -usti' *oo3en restaurants an3 mountain (uts ma1e t(e ,la'e a ,i'turesFue lo'ation, toget(er *it( t*o 4star mountain resort (otels&

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Ao'ate3 'lose to t(e Gurmitor =ational 7ar1 an3 in t(e s(a3o* of one of t(e 'ountr2Es (ig(est ,ea1s, Ca:lHa1 is t(e (ig(est to*n in nort(ern Montenegro an3 an e,i'enter for *inter s,orts& )t enHo2s sno* for 12" 3a2s ,er 2ear, from Ge'em:er to +,ril& T(e Gurmitor resort is ma3e u, of several small s1i areas for a total of 12 lifts t(at rise u, to 2E#1# meters elevation& .ome (ig(-Fualit2 mountain s1i '(alets an3 ne* (otel s1i lo3ge a''ommo3ations (ave o,ene3 in re'ent 2ears& @ot( resorts are tr2ing to in'rease mar1et a*areness an3 attra't more lo'al an3 foreign 'ustomers& Gurmitor (as (oste3 international 3o*n(ill s1i 'om,etitions& Darious entertainment an3 s,orting events are organi;e3 :2 t(e =ational Tourism 0rgani;ation t(roug(out t(e season, *it( t(e slogan, + (ot *inter in t(e mountains& .1i ,asses, eFui,ment rental an3 s1i lessons are a :argain (ere& +n all-3a2 lift ,ass 'osts a:out 8>- 14&"", a set of s1i an3 :oots 'an :e rente3 ,er 3a2 for 8>- 1"&"" an3 one (our of ,rivate s1i lessons 'osts 8>2"&""& +s Montenegro onl2 gaine3 in3e,en3en'e in 2""5, t(e tourism in3ustr2 is still t(in1ing a:out t(e maHor 3evelo,ments to invest in& >ntil no*, t(e 'ountr2Es s1i areas (ave ,rimaril2 :een t(e 3omain of lo'als an3 a fe* visitors from t(e @al1ans& )n t(e future, a num:er of tourism ,roHe'ts *ill en(an'e t(e 'ountr2Es tourism a,,eal& Mountain 'enters are a 1e2 ,art of t(is strateg2 an3 $ resorts (ave :een ,lanne3 for 3evelo,ment& .ome are starting from s'rat'(, su'( as t(e Cars1i, Torine, Belovi'a an3 ?omovi s1i resorts, ot(ers inten3 to furt(er 3evelo, t(e existing s1i area of ?olasin&

4olan!
T(e Car,at(ian Mountains 'ross t(e sout(ern ,art of 7olan3 an3 form a natural :or3er *it( neig(:oring C;e'( -e,u:li' an3 .lova1ia& )n t(e Hig( Tatras region, t(e (ig(est ,art of t(e Car,at(ian Mountains, 7olan3 (as 6" ,ea1s t(at are over 2E""" meters a:ove sea level& T(e2 'ulminate *it( t(e 2E499 meter (ig( Mount -2s2& T(e @es1i3es an3 t(e Giant Mountains are Car,at(ian su:-ranges, *it( slig(tl2 lo*er altitu3es& T(e2 all offer *inter s,orts areas& .1iing also exists in t(e 'entral an3 nort(ern ,arts of t(e 'ountr2& )n t(ese regions, t(e slo,es are gentler an3 so i3eal for :eginners or t(ose *(o *ant to get in s(a,e :efore going to t(e mountains& 8ven t(oug( s1iing (as :een aroun3 for a *(ile in t(is 'ountr2, u, until re'entl2 7olan3 *as not a ver2 ,o,ular *inter s1i 3estination for international tourists& T(e o,ening of 7olis( air s,a'e to lo*-'ost air2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # '5 #

Laurent Vanat

lines an3 t(e 3evelo,ment of t(e (ig(*a2 s2stem (ave given a :ig :oost to tourism in 7olan3& T(e relativel2 lo* ,ri'es an3 ,ristine *il3erness are ot(er fa'tors t(at (ave (el,e3 to ma1e 7olan3 ,o,ular *it( tourists& T(e 'limate in 7olan3 ,rovi3es goo3 'on3itions for *inter s,orts& T(e season :egins in Ge'em:er an3 lasts until +,ril at some resorts& Ho*ever, t(e :est 'on3itions for s1iing are from Banuar2 to Mar'(& T(e 'ountr2 offers more t(an a (un3re3 s1i areas an3 a total of over $"" lifts& + lot of s1i areas are ,rett2 small, *it( onl2 a fe* trails an3 one or a 'ou,le of lifts& Most of t(e time, s1iing is 'onsume3 on an (ourl2 or ,a2-as-2ou-go :asis& .no*ma1ing an3 nig(t s1iing are 'ommon& T(e most famous s1i 3estination in 7olan3 is t(e to*n of Ca1o,ane, *(i'( attra'ts 2 million visitors 2earl2& =estle3 in t(e (eart of t(e Tatra Mountains, it starte3 out as an intelle'tual 'enter in 7olan3& .in'e t(e 19#"Es, t(e ,la'e evolve3 into one of t(e most ,o,ular (oli3a2 3estinations in t(e 'ountr2, *it( a flouris(ing *inter s,orts 'enter, as *ell as 2ear roun3 a'tivities an3 a :us2 nig(tlife& Ca1o,ane alrea32 (oste3 t(e 9). <orl3 .1i C(am,ions(i,s in 1929, 19#9 an3 1952& Ho*ever, even if it (as a total of almost 4" lifts, it is not a s1i resort li1e t(ose of international reno*n& T(e fa't is t(at t(e to*n is surroun3e3 :2 several small s1i areas t(at (ave a fe* lifts ea'(, *(i'( are not inter'onne'te3 an3 *(i'( 3o not offer a 'ommon lift ,ass& Most of t(em (ave s(ort surfa'e lifts, eit(er running ,arallel or not 'onne'te3 to one anot(er& .ome *ere installe3 in t(e 2"""Es, :ut t(ere are still some rat(er ar'(ai' reli's& T(e s1i areas are ,rivatel2 o*ne3 an3 reFuire se,arate lift ti'1ets (usuall2 ,ri'e3 for a s,e'ifi' num:er of ri3es!& 9rom Ca1o,ane, it is also ,ossi:le to rea'( larger resorts& <it( 15 lifts, @ial1a Tatr;ans1a is t(e largest s1i resort in 7olan3& )t is 4" minutes a*a2 from t(e 'it2 of Ca1o,ane, (as re'entl2 ex,an3e3, an3 infrastru'ture *as im,rove3 *it( t(e a33ition of several ne* '(airlifts& )t offers runs for all s1iing a:ilities, an3 (as a num:er of :ars, restaurants an3 s(o,s& +not(er im,ortant s1i area is .;1lars1a 7or_:a in t(e Giant Mountains& )t offers 1$ 1ilometers of s1i runs of var2ing 3iffi'ult2 as *ell as 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing& T(e (otels are 'urrentl2 :eing u,gra3e3 to mo3ern stan3ar3s, *it( a ,arti'ular fo'us on 4-star *ellness (otels& To 1ee, u, *it( t(e 'om,etition, t(e infrastru'ture an3 s1i runs are 'onstantl2 :eing mo3erni;e3&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # '8 #

Aatel2, t(ere (as :een a revival of s1i tourism in 7olan3& Cross'ountr2 s1iing an3 :a'1'ountr2 s1iing (ave :e'ome more ,o,ular, an3 t(ere are *ell-mar1e3 itineraries not onl2 in t(e .out( of 7olan3, for exam,le in t(e ?ar1onos;e - Ba1us;2'e in t(e famous -a'e 7iast an3 at t(e foot of t(e Tatras, :ut also in ot(er ,arts of 7olan3, in'lu3ing t(e Masurian .u*a`1i, t(e la1e region in ?as(u:ian, t(e Cra'o*-C;_sto'(o*a ,lateau an3 t(e mountainous -o;to';e&

Romania
T(e -omanian Car,at(ian Mountains are t(e se'on3 largest mountain range in 8uro,e& T(ere is sno* :et*een =ovem:er an3 +,ril an3 t(e sno* 'on3itions are ver2 goo3 until t(e en3 of Mar'( or even +,ril, *it(out t(e tem,eratures :eing too 'ol3& T(e s1i resorts (ave 3e'ent infrastru'ture, t(e (otels are 'omforta:le an3 offer interesting s,e'ials ,a'1ages& =evert(eless, t(e ,oor 'on3ition of a''ess roa3s is sometimes an issue& -omania is still a rat(er un1no*n an3 un3is'overe3 *inter (oli3a2 3estination& )t features 44 s1i resorts *it( a:out 14" s1i lifts& )t is an attra'tive 3estination for foreign visitors, as ,ri'es are relativel2 lo* *(en 'om,are3 to most of 8uro,e an3 some s1i runs are lit for nig(t s1iing& Ho*ever, t(e lift ,asses are not unanimousl2 'onsi3ere3 to :e '(ea, 3ue limite3 infrastru'ture an3 ,oor grooming& -omanian s1i resorts are estimate3 to attra't aroun3 1&2 million s1ier visits ,er 2ear& T(e main s1i areas in -omania are 7oiana @rasov, .inaia, @usteni, 7re3eal, +;uga in t(e .out(eastern Car,at(ians, 7altinis in t(e .out(ern Car,at(ians an3 @orsa, Datra Gornei, in t(e 8astern Car,at(ians& T(e ,o,ular 3estination of 7oiana @rasov is onl2 1# 1ilometers from t(e me3ieval 'it2 of @rasov& More restaurants, villas an3 ,ensions (ave :een :uilt t(ere t(an an2*(ere else in t(e 'ountr2& T(e region (osts several s,orting events ever2 2ear& )t (as 11 s1i lifts, several sno*ma1ing ma'(ines, 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing, i'e rin1s, s*imming ,ools an3 also man2 :ars, restaurants an3 3is'os& .inaia, *it( a maximum altitu3e of 2E""" meters a:ove sea level, is lo'ate3 124 1ilometers from @u'(arest& )t is 'alle3 t(e 7earl of t(e Car,at(ians :e'ause of its :eautiful lan3s'a,e& T(e mountain resort (as 1" re'entl2 u,gra3e3 lifts, 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing an3 lots of restaurants, :ars an3 3is'os& T(e (ig(est 'it2 in -omania is 7re3eal at

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (0 #

1E""" meters a:ove sea level, 144 1ilometers from @u'(arest& )t is one of t(e main s1i resorts in t(e 'ountr2 an3 (as 6 lifts&

Russia
-ussia (as a:out 16" s1i resorts, man2 *it( little infrastru'ture or lifts, an3 t(at reFuire some refur:is(ment& T(e main s1i areas in t(e 'ountr2 are lo'ate3 in t(e >ral an3 t(e Cau'asus Mountains& <it( .o'(i (osting t(e 2"14 <inter 0l2m,i's, s1i resort 3evelo,ment (as :e'ome a (ot to,i' an3 seems to :e a gro*ing mar1et *it( future ,otential& 0f -ussiaEs 14" million in(a:itants, onl2 2&4K s1i& T(e mar1et s(oul3 t(us ex,an3 t(roug( an in'reasing num:er of 3omesti' s1iers& T(e Cau'asus is a mountainous region t(at in'lu3es Mount 8l:rus (4J5"" meters a:ove sea level! an3 one of t(e sno*iest areas in t(e *orl3& <it( *inters longer t(an t(e rest of 8uro,e an3 t(e o,,ortunit2 to s1i on gla'iers an3 at (ig( altitu3es, it (as t(e natural ,otential to 'om,ete *it( t(e +l,s& Ho*ever, t(e Cau'asus is su:He't to '2'les of violen'e (:om:ings, ex,losions, terrorist atta'1s, et'&&&!& )n or3er to :ring t(e region to more ,ea'eful status, t(e governmentEs goal is to 3evelo, t(e tourism in3ustr2 an3 attra't investors& 9or instan'e, un3er t(e name of =ort(ern Cau'asus -esorts, a ,roHe't is :eing 3esigne3 to :uil3 five resorts t(roug( a ,u:li'-,rivate ,artners(i,, 3istri:ute3 among t(e various semi-autonomous -ussian re,u:li's of t(e region& T(ese resorts *ill (ave a total of 169 lifts an3 $69 1ilometers of s1i runs, an3 *ill see1 to a''ommo3ate 14"E""" guests 3ail2& +fter t(e multi-:illion euro ,roHe't is 'om,lete, over 1" million tourists are ex,e'te3 to visit t(e mountains annuall2& T(e largest of t(ese ,lanne3 resorts, +r1(2;, *ill feature 26" 1ilometers of runs, s,rea3 out among t(ree villages& T(e first lifts (ave alrea32 :een 3elivere3 t(ere& + ,roHe't for a ne* 2ear-roun3 resort of international stan3ing is also ,lanne3 in t(e =i;(n2 =ovgoro3 region& T(e infrastru'ture *ill :e a:le to a''ommo3ate 1E9"" ,eo,le& T(e :uil3ing of t(e 0l2m,i' 'om,lex is also a maHor ste, to*ar3s 3evelo,ing t(e s1i in3ustr2 in -ussia& T(e site is :eing :uilt on t(e s(ores of t(e @la'1 .ea, in t(e Cau'asus Mountains, near .o'(i& T(is is a (uge ,roHe't :et*een t(e sea an3 mountains& Here, as *it( some ot(er ne* resorts, ever2t(ing is :eing :uilt or re:uilt from s'rat'(, sin'e t(e (otels an3 fa'ilities
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (1 #

often 3ate from t(e .oviet ,erio3& 8ven t(oug( t(e 3evelo,ment ,otential is (uge, t(e Fuestion remains *(et(er t(e lo'al ,oliti'al 'ontext an3 unrest 'oul3 :e an o:sta'le to tourism 3evelo,ment& 6" 1ilometers from .o'(i, t(e resort of ?rasn2a 7ol2ana *ill :e t(e main site for t(e 0l2m,i's& )t is s,rea3 over four 3ifferent s1i areas: +l,i1a .ervi'e, o,en sin'e 199#, is t(e main area for off-,iste s1iing& )t lies :et*een 44" an3 2J2#$ meters a:ove sea level, *(i'( offers a verti'al 3ro, of over 1J5"" meters& )ts 4 '(airlifts are o,en all 2ear roun3, as t(e2 are not onl2 3esigne3 for s1iing& )n3ee3, various s1i an3 mountain :i1ing 'om,etitions an3 several festivals are (el3 (ere& T(ere are a total of a:out 6 1ilometers of s1i runs& )n vie* of t(e 0l2m,i' Games, renovation is un3er*a2& Aaura, *(ose real name is Ga;,rom (:ut ever2one 'alls it Aaura :e'ause of t(e name of t(e river running t(roug( it!, o,ene3 for t(e 2""$/"9 season& )t offers $ runs for all levels, in'lu3ing # runs eFui,,e3 for nig(t s1iing, for a total of 14 1ilometers of s1iing& 11 lifts (# gon3olas, 4 '(airlifts an3 # surfa'e lifts! (ave alrea32 :een :uilt& T(e resort (as a total 'a,a'it2 of $J""" ,eo,le& Gornia ?arusel is a site t(at *as :uilt s,e'ifi'all2 for t(e 2"14 0l2m,i's& )n t(e near future, it *ill :e ex,e'te3 to ,rovi3e 1",""" :e3s, #5 runs for a total of 6" 1ilometers of s1iing, an3 2$ lifts& +n effi'ient sno*ma1ing s2stem *as also :uilt to guarantee t(at t(e ,ro:lems re'entl2 en'ountere3 at t(e Dan'ouver 0l2m,i's *ill not rea,,ear& @2 t(e *a2, it *ill also allo* t(em to exten3 t(e season furt(er into t(e s,ring& -osa ?(utor, 'urrentl2 un3er 'onstru'tion, *ill :e t(e ?rasn2a 7ol2ana areaEs largest resort an3 t(e one t(at *ill (ost t(e al,ine s1iing events 3uring t(e 2"14 0l2m,i's& T(ere are 1$ runs for all levels, from :eginners to future 0l2m,i' '(am,ions& )n t(e future, -osa ?(utor *ill (ave 1$ lifts (5 'a:le 'ars, 1" '(airlifts an3 2 surfa'e lifts! an3 $" 1ilometers of runs a'ross 4"" (e'tares, *it( t(e (ig(est ,oint 'ulminating at 2J#2" meters a:ove sea level& )t is also 'onne'te3 to +l,i1a .ervi'e an3 *ill (ave a 'a,a'it2 of 1"E""" s1iers ,er 3a2& 9or no*, t(e resort (as # $-,erson gon3olas, a 5-seater '(airlift an3 #$ 1ilometers of runs, 9 t(at *ill :e use3 for t(e Games&

Laurent Vanat

2 ot(er maHor resorts are lo'ate3 in t(e 8l:rus area, in 8l:rus =ational 7ar1, near t(e Georgian :or3er: C(eget an3 8l:rus& T(e2 ,rovi3e t(e o,,ortunit2 to s1i t(roug( +ugust on Mount 8l:rus& Toget(er, t(e2 (ave 11 lifts an3 21 runs for #4 1ilometers of s1iing& T(e t*o negative ,oints (o*ever are t(at lift lines are long an3 grooming is su:stan3ar3& T(e most ,o,ular resort in t(e >ral Mountains is +:;a1ovo& )t is also one of t(e largest in t(e region& <it( a s,a, t(e area is :ot( a s1i resort an3 a s,orts an3 (ealt( 'om,lex& 9or 2ears it *as essentiall2
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (2 #

t(e resort of '(oi'e for resi3ents in t(e 'it2 of Magnitogors1, 5" 1ilometers a*a2& @ut *it( t(e 'onstru'tion of a ne* 'om,lex an3 mo3ern s1iing fa'ilities, its ,o,ularit2 (as s,rea3 t(roug(out -ussia& +:;a1ovo features a 3o;en runs *it( a total lengt( of 1$ 1ilometers of s1iing, in'lu3ing 9). a,,rove3 slalom an3 giant slalom runs& T(e 4 s1i lifts an3 t(e :a:2 lift 'an 'arr2 4E""" s1iers ,er (our& )n a33ition, t(e resort (as a sno*ma1ing s2stem an3 offers t(e ,ossi:ilit2 of renting sno*mo:iles& Disitors 'an also enHo2 i'e s1ating& )n 2""$, 3ra*ing on foreign ex,erien'e for su'( ,roHe'ts, an in-3oor s1i 'enter o,ene3 in ?rasnogors1, in t(e Mos'o* ,rovin'e& sne;(&1om 'om,rises, in a33ition to a s1i slo,e, an i'e s1ating rin1, a fitness 'enter, an aFuati' 'enter, 'onferen'e rooms, restaurants, s(o,s an3 ot(er entertainment fa'ilities& .no* is ,ro3u'e3 t(roug( t(e i'e 'ras( te'(nolog2, 'onsisting of grin3ing t(in i'e ,lates to ,ro3u'e sno*& # ma'(ines ma1e 9" tons of *(ite ,o*3er ever2 3a2& T(e a3vantage of t(is te'(niFue is t(at it 3oes not in'rease t(e (umi3it2 insi3e t(e 'om,lex& 45 '(illers, air 'on3itioners an3 3e(umi3ifiers run 'onstantl2 to maintain a tem,erature :et*een -4 a C an3 -6 a C& T(e slo,e, 4"" meters long for 54 meters of verti'al 3ro,, (ol3s u, to a meter of sno* an3 reFuires 'onstant maintenan'e& 2 groomers are ,rovi3e3 for t(is ,ur,ose& + 4-seater '(airlift an3 a :a:2 lift allo* s1iers to rea'( t(e to, of t(e tra'1& <it( an im,ortant reserve of ,otential s1iers, t(e 0l2m,i's in sig(t an3 t(e (uge :uil3ings an3 renovations 'oming toget(er, -ussia 'oul3 :e'ome a maHor for'e in t(e s1i in3ustr2& 8x,erts estimate t(at -ussian s1i resorts 'oul3 attra't 4 to 1" million visitors a 2ear, 'om,are3 to 1 million to3a2&

Ser$ia
)f nort(ern .er:ia 'onsists mostl2 of ,lains, 64K of t(e 'ountr2 is 'overe3 *it( (ills an3 mountains& T(e (ig(est ,ea1 'ulminates at 2E159 meters a:ove sea level& T(ere are several mountain ranges, offering goo3 'on3itions for *inter s,orts, *it( u, to 4 mont(s of sno* on t(e groun3 ,ear 2ear& T(us, t(e mountains in .er:ia offer o,tions for *inter s,orts ent(usiasts& +mong t(e more t(an 2" s1i areas, t(e 'ountr2Js most 3evelo,e3 an3 ,o,ular s1i resorts are ?o,aoni1, Torni1 .1i Center on Clati:or an3 .tara 7lanina, *(i'( (as 9). 'ertifie3 s1i runs an3 (osts international 'om,etitions& T(e2 *ere mo3erni;e3 :2 t(e government 'om,an2, .1i -esorts of .er:ia, *(i'( is *or1ing to :uil3 u, s1iing infrastru'ture an3 :ring .er:ian s1i resorts to t(e level of an
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (3 #

international s1i 3estination& T(e goal is to ma1e t(e resorts more attra'tive to 3omesti' an3 foreign tourists *it( a 2ear-roun3 offer& .er:ian s1i resorts *ere ,o,ular *it( )ris( an3 @ritis( s1iers, *(en tour o,erators offere3 t(em as 3estinations& Ho*ever, some maHor o,erators sto,,e3 offering t(ese 3estinations a fe* 2ears ago& To3a2, an in'reasing num:er of s1iers are lo'als an3 -ussians& T(e resort of ?o,aoni1 (as ta1en t(e lea3 in .er:iaEs s1i in3ustr2& )t is lo'ate3 at an altitu3e of 1E5"" meters a:ove sea level, *it( runs t(at start from as (ig( as 2E""" meters& )t :enefits from a:out 15" sno* 3a2s ,er 2ear an3 offers more t(an 4" 1ilometers of s1i runs servi'e3 :2 2# lifts, in'lu3ing 5-, 4- an3 2-seater '(airlifts, toget(er *it( some surfa'e lifts& T(e2 'an a''ommo3ate #2E""" s1iers ,er (our, *(i'( ran1s ?o,aoni1 among t(e largest s1i areas in t(is ,art of 8uro,e& T(e resort is eFui,,e3 *it( sno*ma1ing t(at 'overs 96K of its runs an3 offers one trail eFui,,e3 *it( lig(ting for nig(t s1iing an3 a sno*,ar1& T(e village :ase offers various a''ommo3ations, from 'ottages u, to 4-star (otels, :ars, restaurants an3 a vi:rant nig(t life& =ear t(e @ulgarian :or3er, lo'ate3 in a (ig( mountain range, t(e resort of .tara 7lanina offers a vast ,otential for tourism 3evelo,ment& + fe* 2ears ago, it (a3 onl2 2 lifts, :ut no* (as 4, featuring t(e first gon3ola in .er:ia& )t *ill furt(er ex,an3 *it( ne* '(airlifts an3 runs (to rea'( a total of 1"" 1ilometers of 3o*n(ill s1iing!, a''ommo3ations an3 ot(er infrastru'ture, an3 *ill soon :e'ome one of t(e 'ountr2Es most im,ortant s1i resorts& T(e ,lanne3 @a:in Cu: :ase village *ill offer $E""" :e3s& )n t(e region of Clati:or, t(e .er:ian 'a,ital of mountain tourism, t(e Torni1 .1i area (as a mo3ern 5-seater '(airlift an3 2 surfa'e lifts& )n a33ition to s1iing, if also offers tu:ing runs& .ome ot(er smaller resorts offer limite3 infrastru'ture& T(e )ver .1i -esort, on Mount Tara, (as 4 runs 9"" to 1J1"" meters long, eFui,,e3 *it( sno*ma1ing an3 one lift& Giv'i:are .1i area, on Mount MalHien, is a ,la'e s,e'ifi'all2 3esigne3 for :eginners, *it( several s(ort runs, an3 one more 3iffi'ult slo,e, eFui,,e3 for nig(t s1iing& .everal ot(er s1i areas are onl2 eFui,,e3 *it( one lift& + fe* even (ave no lifts :ut are 3esignate3 ,la'es *(ere ,eo,le s1i&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (& #

Slovakia
.lova1ia alrea32 (as a long s1i (istor2& .in'e 194", lifts (ave :een in t(e Tatra Mountains& <it( more t(an 4" ne* lifts 3elivere3 :2 t(e maHor manufa'turers over t(e last 1" 2ears, t(ere are no* 'lose to 1"" s1i areas in t(e .lova1 -e,u:li', most of t(em lo'ate3 in t(e nort(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2& +,,roximatel2 $"K of t(e 'ountr2 is lo'ate3 at an altitu3e of 64" meters a:ove sea level or more& T(e (ig(est ,oint is Gerla'(ovs1b 7ea1, 2E544 meters a:ove sea level& T(e maHorit2 of t(e s1i areas are lo'ate3 in natural reserves& <it( regar3s to environmental ,reservation, t(eir 3evelo,ment is limite3 to some extent& .lova1ia (as a little less t(an 4"" lifts& Gue to t(e lo* altitu3e of man2 s1i areas, sno* 'overage is not al*a2s guarantee3& @ut .lova1ia seems on its *a2 to :e'oming a ,o,ular s1i 3estination in 8astern 8uro,e& .lova1 s1i resorts *ere estimate3 to (ave attra'te3 a:out 4 million s1ier visits ,er 2ear at t(e :eginning of t(e 2"""Es& T(is figure is no* at a:out 4 million& Currentl2, visitors from 7olan3, Hungar2, -ussia, t(e C;e'( -e,u:li' an3 t(e >1raine 'ome to .lova1ia to s1i& T(an1s to ver2 'om,etitive ,ri'es, t(e .lova1 s1i resorts are no* tr2ing to ex,an3 t(eir 'at'(ment areas to t(e <estern 8uro,ean mar1et& + grou, of four s1i areas (.no* ,ara3ise Del1a -a'a/0s'a3ni'a, 7ar1 .no* .tr:s1e 7leso, Basna =i;1e Tatri an3 7ar1 .no* Gonoval2! (ave laun'(e3 an a3vertising 'am,aign aime3 at t(e 9ren'(, @ritis( an3 @enelux mi33le 'lasses& T(ese 4 s1i resorts (ave re'entl2 ma3e 3ifferent investments an3 are no* a:le to offer infrastru'ture an3 servi'es similar to t(ose in <estern 8uro,e (54 1ilometers of s1i runs for all levels, (otels, '(alets an3 guest (ouses, 5-seater '(airlifts, :u::le eFui,,e3 '(airlifts c!& Gonoval2 is one of t(e most im,ortant s1i resorts in .lova1ia& )t is lo'ate3 in t(e 'enter of t(e 'ountr2 :et*een t(e Ao* Tatras an3 t(e Hig( Tatras& )t is ,o,ular *it( .lova1s as *ell as *it( foreign visitors& Gonoval2 (as 14 s1i lifts an3 offers 1$ 1ilometers of s1i runs& Basna =i;1e Tatri U C(o,o1 =ort( is t(e largest s1i resort in t(e 'ountr2& )t is lo'ate3 in t(e Car,at(ian Mountains, in t(e Ao* Tatras& )t features 1$ surfa'e lifts, 6 '(airlifts an3 4 gon3olas, in'lu3ing a re'entl2 installe3 funitel, *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of #"E644 ,eo,le ,er (our& 26 of t(e 44 1ilometers of s1i runs are eFui,,e3 *it( sno*ma1ing& T(e @2strians1a Golina s1i resort is lo'ate3 :et*een 1E215 metres an3 2E""4 meters a:ove sea level in t(e Ao* Tatras& )t (as 14 s1i lifts an3

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (' #

6 s1i runs, 2 t(at are 'onsi3ere3 3iffi'ult& T(e verti'al 3ro, is 6$9 meters&

TatranskL Lomni%a *!!s Blue +hairlift to Re! Tatrans1R Aomni'a in t(e .lova1 -e,u:li' (as a33e3 t(e 'ountr2Js first eig(tseater 3eta'(a:le '(airlift to its im,ressive 'olle'tion of lifts& <(at ma1es t(e lift ,arti'ularl2 unusual is t(at it (as a :lue tinte3 ,ull 3o*n *eat(er ,rote'tion :u::le, :elieve3 to :e t(e first in t(e *orl3 in t(at 'olor& )t Hoins t(e resortJs existing 5-seater 3eta'(a:le '(air t(at (as a re3 tinte3 ,ull 3o*n *eat(er :u::le& T(e ne* 5$" meter long lift ,rovi3es a''ess to t(e famil2-frien3l2 slo,e of @u1ova Hora, an3 'lim:s 1#2 verti'al meters *it( an u,(ill 'a,a'it2 of u, to 2E4"" ,eo,le ,er (our& T(e reason for t(e 'olore3 *eat(er :u::le is re,orte3 to ,rovi3e lift users *it( more of an ex,erien'e to in'rease t(e mar1eting value of t(e lift, rat(er t(an Hust a sim,le ri3e to t(e to,&

.our'e : .no*(unter

Slovenia
.lovenia (as 2$ ,ea1s over 2E$"" meters (ig(& T(e (ig(est ,ea1, Triglav, 'ulminates at 2E$54 meters a:ove sea level& T(e +l,s, in'lu3ing t(e Bulian +l,s, t(e ?amni1-.avinHa +l,s an3 t(e ?aravan1e mountain range, 3ominate =ort(ern .lovenia along its long :or3er *it( +ustria an3 )tal2& )n t(e 16t( 'entur2, s1is *ere alrea32 use3 t(ere as a means of trans,ortation& To3a2, (i1ing an3 tre11ing are among t(e most ,referre3 s,orts in .lovenia& T(an1s to attra'tive *inter resorts su'( as ?ranHs1a Gora, -ogla an3 ?rvave', s1iing (as 3evelo,e3 into a maHor s,ort in t(e ,ast 3e'a3es, even t(oug( ot(er 8uro,ean *inter s,ort 3estinations are strong 'om,etitors 3ue to

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (( #

t(eir (ig(er altitu3es an3 t(e guarantee3 sno*& Tourism is t(e (ig(est gro*ing e'onom2 in .lovenia an3 is in'reasingl2 'om,etitive& T(e Ministr2 of 8'onom2 en'ourages mo3erni;ing infrastru'ture, an3 #5 ,roHe'ts (ave re'eive3 ,u:li' fun3ing for a total amount of 8>- 4" million& 9or t(e ,erio3 from 2""1 to 2"1#, some 8>- 144 million (as :een guarantee3 to 3evelo, tourism& )n3ee3, t(e gro*t( in s1ier visits s(o*s 'onsi3era:le 3e,en3en'2 on sno* 'on3itions& +fter a su:stantial gro*t( in t(e :eginning of t(e 2"""Es, t(e last fe* seasons (ave s(o*n less t(an favora:le s1ier visit figures&

2J"""J""" 1J$""J""" 1J5""J""" 1J4""J""" 1J2""J""" 1J"""J""" $""J""" 5""J""" 4""J""" 2""J""" "
2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# (3 #

-i"ure 1( , SloveniaH evolution of skier visits

.lovenia (as 44 resorts *it( a total of over 2"" s1i lifts& )t offers a ver2 goo3 ,ri'e/,erforman'e ratio, mo3ern s1i runs, 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing, goo3 infrastru'ture, sno*ma1ing, an3 *ell-eFui,,e3 (oli3a2 a,artments an3 (otels& Mari:ors1o 7o(orHe is one of t(e most *ell-1no*n resorts& )t (osts an +l,ine <orl3 Cu, la3iesEs 3o*n(ill 'om,etition ever2 2ear& 4# 1ilometers of s1i runs, mo3ern s,as, :eautiful lan3s'a,es an3 :eing near t(e 'it2 of Mari:or ma1e t(is a ver2 attra'tive 3estination& T(e resort guarantees 1"" sno* 3a2s ,er season& +not(er ,o,ular s1i resort is ?ranHs1a Gora& )t (osts an +l,ine s1iing <orl3 Cu, event ever2 2ear an3 (as trails for ever2 level, from :eginners to ex,ert s1iers an3 sno*:oar3ers& T(e (ig(est *inter resort in .lovenia is ?anin, *(i'( is 'onne'te3 *it( t(e )talian resort of .ella =evea& )t offers #" 1ilometers of s1i runs, 1# mo3ern lifts an3 sno* t(roug( earl2 s,ring& Cer1no is t(e most mo3ern famil2 s1i resort in .lovenia, lo'ate3 on t(e slo,es of t(e 1E291 meter (ig( drnivr( ,ea1& T(is i3e-

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

all2 situate3 s1i area is 1""K 'overe3 :2 an extensive sno*ma1ing s2stem, *(i'( guarantees a minimum of 6" s1i 3a2s ,er *inter&

Turke
Tur1e2, in a33ition to its :ea'(es, is also a ver2 mountainous 'ountr2 *it( some of t(e (ig(est ,ea1s in t(e region& T(e Tur1is( .1i 9e3eration *as foun3e3 in 19#5, t(e 2ear *(en t(e Tur1is( 0l2m,i' team first ,arti'i,ate3 in t(e <inter 0l2m,i' Games& T(is *as t(e im,etus to 3evelo, s1iing in Tur1e2 an3 :uil3 s1i resorts, es,e'iall2 >lu3ag (t(e (ig(est mountain in <estern Tur1e2, to,,ing out at 2J44# meters a:ove sea level, a:out #" miles from @ursa!, 8r'i2es (t(e (ig(est ,oint of Central +natolia at #J915 meters! an3 8lma3ag (in t(e ,rovin'e of +n1ara!& )nternationall2 san'tione3 'om,etitions *ere first organi;e3 in Tur1e2 as earl2 as 1944& To in'rease ,arti'i,ation in t(e s1iing, s1i training 'ourses an3 (oli3a2 'am,s are organi;e3 ever2 2ear& Tur1e2 no* (as 15 s1i resorts, :ut onl2 5 of t(em (ave more t(an 4 lifts& Hotels ,rovi3e a,,roximatel2 14E""" rooms t(roug(out t(e s1i resorts of t(e 'ountr2& T(e most famous resort in Tur1e2 is 7alan3o1en, *(i'( (osts 9). 'om,etitions& )t lies in t(e eastern ,art of Tur1e2, near 8r;urum an3 (as one of t(e 'ol3er 'limates in t(e 'ountr2& )t t(erefore offers t(e :est sno* 'on3itions& )n a33ition to 1 gon3ola, t(e resort features also 6 '(airlifts, 1 surfa'e lift an3 2 :a:2 lifts& T(e s1i area is lo'ate3 :et*een 2J2"" an3 #J165 meters a:ove sea level& T(e 21 groome3 runs for all 3ifferent levels offer 2$ 1ilometers of s1iing& T(e resort (as no sno*ma1ing s2stem& 7alan3o1en *as on t(e verge of 3oing :usiness *it( <estern 8uro,ean tour o,erators *(en t(e *ar in )raF, onl2 2"" 1ilometers a*a2, eru,te3 in 2""#& T(is ,revente3 ne* 3evelo,ment at t(at time& Ho*ever, t(an1s to t(e 9e:ruar2 2"11 <inter >niversia3e, t(e resort is going to :e t(e 3riving for'e to :ring t(e Tur1is( s1i in3ustr2 to ne* (eig(ts& )n ,re,aration for t(e events, 7alan3o1en investe3 nearl2 >.G 1"" million&

Laurent Vanat

?artal1a2a, lo'ate3 *est of t(e @al1an .ea, in t(e ?oroglu Mountains, :uilt t(e first ,rofessional sno*,ar1 in Tur1e2& T(e s1i area lies :et*een 1J$4" an3 2J24" meters a:ove sea level an3 (as 1$ lifts for 12 runs of all levels& ?artal1a2a (as # maHor 4-star (otels *it( a total 'a,a'it2 of 2J24" :e3s& T(e resort (o,es to a'Fuire international fame :2 (osting international 'om,etitions in t(e future& .in'e it sno*s a lot, t(e s1i season lasts an average of 12" 3a2s&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (5 #

<it( its gon3ola, 12 '(airlifts an3 11 surfa'e lifts, >lu3ag is t(e largest resort in Tur1e2& )ts fa'ilities (ave an u,(ill 'a,a'it2 of 15J#"" ,eo,le ,er (our, an3 t(e resort offers 2" 1ilometers of runs& .no*fall generall2 averages # meters ,er *inter& )n a33ition to al,ine s1iing, t(e area enHo2s favora:le 'on3itions for 'ross-'ountr2 an3 (eli-s1iing& Ao'ate3 in a national ,ar1, t(e s1i area also (as s*imming ,ools, fitness 'enters an3 a *ell-3evelo,e3 nig(t life& <it( its 26 a''ommo3ations for all levels of ex,e'tations (some are .tate ,ro,erties!, >lu3ag offers #J""" :e3s& T(ere are several 'urrent ,roHe'ts to 3evelo, Tur1e2Es *inter tourism& +t ,resent, alt(oug( resort 'a,a'it2 is on t(e rise, t(e2 are not 2et at a stage to 'om,ete *it( foreign resorts in attra'ting an international 'lientele25& T(e ,otential for t(e Tur1is( mountains is not 2et full2 ex,loite3& T(e Minister of .,orts (as announ'e3 t(e *illingness of t(e government to ,romote *inter s,orts among '(il3ren, in a 'ountr2 *(ere onl2 an estimate3 1K of t(e ,o,ulation ,arti'i,ates in s1iing& )n t(is lig(t, Tur1e2 ,lans to o,en #" ne* resorts starting in 2"11, an3 ,lans to invest >.G 4"" million& 0ver t(e last 1" 2ears, at least #4 ne* lifts *ere installe3 in t(e Tur1is( mountains& Currentl2, foreign s1iers ,rimaril2 'ome from -ussia, t(e >1raine or )ran& T(an1s to t(e 2"11 <inter >niversia3e, *(i'( :roug(t toget(er 4$ nations, t(e 'ountr2 (as (o,es of attra'ting more 8uro,eans& )n a33ition, man2 Tur1s still travel a:roa3 to enHo2 *inter (oli3a2s& )m,rovement in lo'al infrastru'ture *ill in'rease t(eir retention *it(in t(e 'ountr2&

Ikraine
T(e >1raineEs s1i resorts (ave 'onsi3era:l2 im,rove3 in t(e last ten 2ears, :ut t(e2 are still not *ell-1no*n& Most resorts are lo'ate3 in t(e Car,at(ian Mountains& )n t(e ,ast fe* 2ears, several small (otels, (oli3a2 (ouses an3 a,artments *ere :uilt an3 some resorts (ave u,gra3e3 t(eir s1i lifts to 8uro,ean stan3ar3s, even if groun3 trans,ortation is still ,ro:lemati' to a''ess to t(e resorts& T(e >1raine also (as ot(er *inter s,orts su'( as 'ross 'ountr2 s1iing, i'e

25

+ ,roHe't aims at 3evelo,ing t(e resort of 8r'i2es to 'reate t(e :iggest s1i region in Tur1e2, *it( 15" 1ilometers of runs an3 21 lifts, an3 an u,(ill 'a,a'it2 of #4J""" s1iers ,er (our& T(is *oul3 raise t(e resort to international stan3ar3s& 9or t(e time :eing, 5 lifts (ave :een installe3 an3 t(e resort (as onl2 44 1ilometers of s1i runs&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # (8 #

s1ating an3 sno*:oar3ing& T(e (ig(est ,ea1 in t(e >1raine is Ho*erla ,ea1 *(i'( 'ulminates at 2E"51 meters a:ove sea level& T(ere are 41 *inter s,orts areas in t(e 'ountr2 *it( a total of a:out 1"" s1i lifts& +tten3an'e is estimate3 at fe*er t(an one million s1ier visits ,er 2ear& T(e ,ri'e for lift ,asses, s1i rentals an3 s1i lessons are relativel2 '(ea, 'om,are3 to 8uro,ean stan3ar3s& )n earl2 Ge'em:er an3 in +,ril, onl2 Gra(o:rat, @u1ovel an3 Mount Trost2an are o,en& T(e ot(er resorts are o,en from mi3 Ge'em:er to mi3 Mar'(& T(e resorts in t(e Car,at(ian Mountains (ave t(e :est infrastru'ture in t(e >1raine an3 (ave 2ears of ex,erien'e *el'oming foreign guests& T(e ne*est an3 most mo3ern s1i resort in t(e >1raine is @u1ovel& T(e mountains aroun3 t(e resort ,rote't it from t(e 'ol3 *in3& )t (as 14 lifts, 4" 1ilometers of runs an3 goo3 s1i an3 sno*:oar3 instru'tors& To attra't more tourists, @u1ovel re3u'e3 ,ri'es for a''ommo3ations, lift ,asses an3 s1i rentals& T(e resort of .1lavs1e is lo'ate3 in a ,i'turesFue village at 5"" meters a:ove sea level, surroun3e3 :2 mountains t(at ,rote't t(e resort from strong *in3s& T(e resort offers 9 lifts& T(e (ig(est s1i resort in t(e >1raine is Gra(o:rat, lo'ate3 at 1E#5" meters a:ove sea level& T(e resort features $ lifts, $ s1i runs an3 'laims to satisf2 t(e reFuirements for 0l2m,i' 'om,etition& )t is ver2 ,o,ular *it( s1iers an3 sno*:oar3ers :e'ause of its sno* guarantee& T(e natural lan3s'a,e in an3 aroun3 Gra(o:rat, an3 t(e vie* from most (otels are a,,ealing& T(e >1raine (as no* 'onsi3ere3 :i33ing for t(e 2"22 <inter 0l2m,i's& T(e infrastru'ture *ill :e 'on'entrate3 in t(e region of Aviv, in t(e *estern ,art of t(e 'ountr2& T(e investments nee3e3 are estimate3 at aroun3 >.G 1" :illion&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 30 #

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 31 #

The *meri%as

*r"entina
2#K of +rgentina is 'overe3 *it( (ills an3 mountains& T(e longest mountain '(ain in t(e *orl3, t(e +n3ean Cor3illera, runs all t(e *a2 3o*n t(e *estern si3e of t(e 'ountr2 for more t(an #E""" 1ilometers, *it( t(e (ig(est summit, +'on'agua, to,,ing out at 5E95" meters a:ove sea level& Ho*ever, in s,ite of t(e (ig( summits of t(e +n3es, t(e s1i resorts are lo'ate3 at lo*er altitu3es, ,rimaril2 :et*een 1E""" an3 2E""" meters elevation& +t t(e sout(ern en3 of t(e 'ountr2, s1i areas are lo'ate3 even lo*er& T2,i'all2 for a .out(ern Hemis,(ere lo'ation, t(e s1i season in +rgentina starts in Bune an3 lasts u, to mi3-0'to:er& @efore s1iing :e'ame a leisure a'tivit2, an3 3ue to t(e mountains an3 t(e ,resen'e of sno*, s1is *ere alrea32 use3 in t(e 19t( 'entur2 as a means of trans,ortation :2 foreigners *(o :roug(t t(e a'tivit2 over from 8uro,e& )t 3evelo,e3 as a re'reational a'tivit2 in t(e 19#"Es, mostl2 'on'entrate3 in t(e area of .an Carlos 3e @arilo'(e un3er t(e 'ontrol of s1i 'lu:s an3 ,romote3 :2 some 8uro,ean ,ioneers& .1i areas 3evelo,e3 even :efore :eing eFui,,e3 *it( lifts& T(e first lift *as installe3 in Cate3ral, @arilo'(eJs s1i area, in 19#9 an3 s1i ra'es starte3 to :e organi;e3 in +rgentina in t(e 194"Es& T(e .out( +meri'an s1i resorts (ave ex,erien'e3 ne* gro*t( an3 3evelo,ment over t(e last 3e'a3e& <it( nearl2 unlimite3 off-,iste ,ossi:ilities an3 goo3 ,o*3er sno* on ,ristine slo,es, t(e2 offer attra'tive 'on3itions, in a season o,,osite t(at of t(e resorts in t(e 8uro,ean +l,s an3 =ort( +meri'a& .1iing (as until no* remaine3 fairl2 ex'lusive, as +rgentineans 3o not (ave t(e mountain 'ulture of t(e +l,s, an3 it remains an ex,ensive a'tivit2& General interest is rising, *it( an annual 3e3i'ate3 ex(i:ition, 8x,o =ieve& Disits to s1i resorts are not limite3 to nationals& .1iers from @ra;il, C(ile an3 even Mexi'o 'ome to +rgentina an3 some resorts are 'ro*3e3 *it( t(is international 'lientele in Bul2 an3 +ugust, t(e mi33le of t(e s1i season& +rgentinean s1i areas are estimate3 to generate aroun3 1&4 millions s1ier visits ,er 2ear, mostl2 'on'entrate3 in t(e to, 6 resorts&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 32 #

T(e :iggest resort in +rgentina is Cerro Cate3ral, *(i'( stan3s for Mount Cat(e3ral in .,anis(, 3ue to its summits resem:ling t(e to*ers of a me3ieval 'at(e3ral& )t is lo'ate3 in a national ,ar1 near .an Carlos 3e @arilo'(e, *(ose name ma2 :e more familiar to foreigners& T(e maHest2 of t(e ,la'e is *ell-1no*n :2 s1iers from all aroun3 t(e *orl3& T(e resort *as a ,ioneer in .out( +meri'a& )t o,erates as a 4season resort an3 is to3a2 t(e most international an3 full2-eFui,,e3 in t(e 'ountr2& )t 'ontinues to u,3ate fa'ilities in or3er to ,rovi3e visitors *it( t(e most a3van'e3 infrastru'ture& )t is 'onsi3ere3 to :e t(e C(amonix of .out( +meri'a& <it( 4# runs, #9 lifts, a sno*ma1ing s2stem 'overing 1" (e'tares, it offers 5"" (e'tares of s1ia:le terrain, *(i'( rises to 2E1$" meters a:ove sea level& 9or 2ears Cate3ral (as (oste3 t(e most im,ortant international 'om,etitions an3 sno* festivals in +rgentina& Aas Aeeas is among t(e most ,o,ular s1i resorts in +rgentina 3ue to sno* Fualit2, runs for all levels, an3 t(e outstan3ing off-,iste 3es'ents an3 'ross-'ountr2 s1iing& T(e resort is lo'ate3 a fe* 1ilometers from t(e Cit2 of Men3o;a& )t is t(e (ig(est in t(e 'ountr2& <it( a verti'al 3ro, of 1E2"" meters, t(e area is lo'ate3 :et*een 2E24" meters an3 #E4#" meters a:ove sea level& Gue to its 3r2 'limate, t(e sno* Fualit2 for t(e 2#" (e'tares of s1ia:le terrain an3 4" runs is famous *orl3*i3e& T(e terrain is serve3 :2 1# lifts an3, if ne'essar2, su,,orte3 :2 a sno*ma1ing s2stem& +not(er s,ot 'lose to Men3o;a is 7enitentes& <it( vie*s of Mount +'on'agua, it is also ver2 'lose to C(ile& )naugurate3 in 1969, t(e resort o''u,ies more t(an #"" (e'tares of s1ia:le terrain an3 offers 24 runs& .everal runs are 9). a,,rove3 an3 are t(e stage for various 'om,etitions& T(e (otel infrastru'ture, *it( a 'a,a'it2 of nearl2 2J""" :e3s, in'lu3es all 1in3s of a''ommo3ations, from ,ensions to 4-star (otels& +mong t(e ot(er maHor s1i areas of t(e 'ountr2, C(a,el'o, in 7atagonia, offers fantasti' s'ener2 from its 1J9$" meter (ig( ,er'(& )t is a3vertise3 as 'om:ining a3renaline ,um,ing a'tivities an3 :eautiful lan3s'a,es& Cavia(ue is lo'ate3 at t(e foot of t(e Co,a(ue Dol'ano on t(e s(ores of a la1e *it( t(e same name, at 1J546 meters a:ove sea level& <it( over 1J""" (e'tares of s1ia:le terrain, an3 2" runs, it offers t(e longest season in t(e sout(ern (emis,(ere& T(e $1ilometer long off-,iste 3es'ent from t(e vol'anoEs 'rater to t(e :ase of t(e resort is legen3ar2& +,,re'iate3 :2 families, Aa Ho2a, lo'ate3 in a forest, la1es an3 *aterfall lan3s'a,e, *as o,ene3 in t(e 194"Es& T(e first lifts *ere installe3 in t(e 195"Es an3 t(e resort *as su:seFuentl2 mo3erni;e3 in t(e 2"""Es& )t no* features 1" lifts, 24 runs an3 sno*ma1ing eFui,ment& 9or t(ose *(o li1e s1iing at t(e far rea'(es of t(e ,lanet, Cerro Castor, t(e ne*est resort in +rgentina
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 33 #

an3 t(e sout(ernmost on 8art(, is 'lose to t(e 'a,ital of Tierra 3el 9uego, *(ere t(e sea an3 t(e mountains meet& T(e :ase of t(e s1i area is onl2 194 meters a:ove sea level an3 t(e summit rises to 1J"46 meters& Cerro Castor enHo2s ver2 goo3 *eat(er an3 Fualit2 ,o*3er sno*& Gue to sta:le tem,eratures, it (as one of t(e longest seasons in .out( +meri'a& 0,ene3 in 196$, Mount @a2o s1i resort is lo'ate3 *it(in a :eautiful natural lan3s'a,e& .urroun3e3 :2 forests an3 *it( a maHesti' vie* of a la1e, it offers 2"" (e'tares of terrain for al,ine s1iing, *it( a 6"" meter verti'al 3ro,& )t (as 22 mar1e3 trails an3 12 lifts&

+ana!a
.1iing in Cana3a is lo'ate3 in t(e -o'12 Mountains of t(e <est an3 in t(e VuM:e', 0ntario an3 +tlanti'26 ,rovin'es of t(e 8ast& <(ile t(e -o'1ies (ave s1i resorts t(at 'an 'om,ete *it( t(e +l,s in terms of verti'al 3ro,, s1iing in t(e 8ast ta1es ,la'e on lo*er altitu3e mountains an3 (ills& <it( a long s1i (istor2, Cana3a (as a mature mar1et, *it( serious 'on'erns a:out an ageing 'lientele an3 t(e a:ilit2 to rene* t(e 'ustomer :ase, featuring also interesting et(ni' issues& .1ier visits (ave :een flat for t(e last 3e'a3e, mostl2 3ue to *eat(er 'on3itions& Aast 2earEs s1i season in Cana3a *as (eavil2 affe'te3 :2 ,oor sno* 'on3itions t(at im,a'te3 t(e in3ustr2 t(roug(out all of =ort( +meri'a& T(e :eginning an3 en3 of t(e season (a3 little to no sno* an3 *arm *eat(er 'ause3 earl2 or tem,orar2 resort 'losures& +tten3an'e totale3 1$&14 million s1ier visits&

Laurent Vanat

Mar1et stu3ies s(o* t(at t(e num:er of s1iers 'ontinues to 3e'line& T(e ,ur'(asing :e(avior of most s1iers (as :een influen'e3 :2 t(e 'risis& T(e2 (ave more a'tivel2 soug(t out 3eals or to s1i 'lose to
26

7rin'e 83*ar3 )slan3, =e*foun3lan3, Aa:ra3or, =ova .'otia an3 =e* @runs*i'1

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 3& #

(ome& .ome still sa2 t(at *eat(er an3 ,oor sno* 'on3itions are t(e ,revailing 'ause&

24J"""J"""

2"J"""J"""

14J"""J"""

1"J"""J"""

4J"""J"""

"
2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2
# 3' #

-i"ure 13 , +ana!aH evolution of skier visits

T(e Cana3ian s1i resorts 3e,en3 on a 3omesti' an3 >&.& 'ustomer :ase& )t is interesting to stress t(at some of t(e *ell-1no*n resorts, su'( as <(istler @la'1'om:, @anff an3 to a lesser extent Trem:lant, also attra't some overseas s1iers, even if t(e ,ro,ortion of foreign visitors is relativel2 lo*& 9urt(ermore, some ver2 small resorts also a,,ear to attra't @ritis( tour o,erators& )ntra*est is t(e onl2 signifi'ant multi-resort o,erator& 0t(er*ise, o,erators are mostl2 lo'al& Gue to *ea1 gro*t( in re'ent 2ears, t(e Cana3ian s1i in3ustr2 (as 'on3u'te3 3etaile3 stu3ies a:out t(e 3emogra,(i's, im,lementing t(e Mo3el for Gro*t(& .everal o,erators (ave also 3iversifie3 t(eir a'tivities an3 some of t(e maHor resorts no* offer numerous summer a'tivities t(at ena:le t(em to :alan'e out visits for :ot( seasons& T(e i3ea of a 2ear-roun3 resort (as :een (ig(l2 3evelo,e3 an3 ,romote3& .ome resorts near metro,olitan areas (ave 3evelo,e3 *ater ri3es an3 ot(er su'( summer a'tivities, *(i'( even allo* t(em to use some of t(e lifts 3uring t(e summer, as *ell as to sell 2ear roun3 ,asses&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

+hile
T(e 'ountr2 is lo'ate3 all along t(e +n3ean Cor3illera, *(i'( runs over 4E""" 1ilometers in C(ile& $"K of t(e 'ountr2 is 'overe3 :2 mountains, rea'(ing ver2 (ig( altitu3es in t(e =ort(, *it( 2ear roun3 sno* 'overage on summits over 4E$"" meters (ig(& )n t(e .out(, after (aving rea'(e3 its (ig(est ,oint, t(e +n3es are a :it lo*er, *it( most ,ea1s to,,ing out in t(e #E""" meter range& Most s1i resorts are t2,i'all2 lo'ate3 at t(ese altitu3es& 9urt(er sout(, 7atagonia offers (uge gla'iers t(at ,lunge into t(e sea, *(ere t(e 'oastline is 'ut u, :2 numerous fHor3s& T(e first +n3ean s1iers *ere alrea32 i3entifie3 in 1$$6, *(en investigation *or1 starte3 for t(e 'onstru'tion of a rail*a2 from Dal,araiso to .antiago, 'rossing t(e mountains into +rgentina, from Men3o;a to @uenos +ires& <it( sno*fall of u, to $ meters in t(e (ig( ,asses, t(e most effi'ient *a2 for t(e 8uro,ean engineers to travel *as on s1is& .1iing *as for instan'e t(e onl2 realisti' *a2 for *or1ers to rea'( >s,allata 7ass, *(i'( is near t(e ,resent-3a2 C(ilean resort of 7ortillo& Guring t(e 'onstru'tion of t(e Trans +n3ean -ailroa3, s1is *ere t(en use3 :2 engineers to travel aroun3 in *inter& T(ere are also (istori'al re'or3s of s1iers (ire3 to trans,ort mail a'ross t(e mountains in t(e *inter of 1$$9& 9inall2, after t(e inauguration of t(e rail*a2, in 191", re'reational s1iers :egan to use t(e rail*a2 as a s1i lift& )n t(e 19#"Es, a ru3imentar2 lift *as :uilt in t(e 7ortillo area (so 'alle3 :e'ause it *as a small ,ass :et*een t(e mountains! an3 a3venturers from 8uro,e an3 =ort( +meri'a :e'ame t(e first s1i tourists& .1i instru'tors *ere :roug(t from 8uro,e an3 a rusti' mountain lo3ge serve3 as t(e first (otel& )n 1945 7ortillo installe3 a '(airlift, t(e first on t(e 'ontinent& )n 1949, t(e Gran Hotel 7ortillo *as inaugurate3& )n 195" t(e C(ilean government, *(o (a3 o*ne3 an3 o,erate3 t(e s1i area u, to t(at ,oint, 3e'i3e3 to sell 7ortillo, ma1ing it one of t(e first state-o*ne3 'om,anies sol3 to t(e ,rivate se'tor in C(ilean (istor2& )n 1955 t(e <orl3 +l,ine .1i C(am,ions(i,s *ere (el3 in 7ortillo, *(i'( fo'use3 international attention on C(ileEs emergent s1i in3ustr2, an3 also in'rease3 national interest in t(e s,ort& 0ver t(e 2ears, t(ree s,ee3 re'or3s *ere set on 7ortilloEs slo,es, in'lu3ing t(e 196$ re'or3 for >&.& s1ier .teve M'?inne2, *(o ex'ee3e3 2"" 1ilometers/(our for t(e first time in s1iing (istor2& Guring t(e 195"Es, to, international s1i ra'ers :egan to train 3uring t(e nort(ern (emis,(ereEs summer on 7ortilloEs slo,es an3 later on, also in 8l Colora3o, Aa 7arva an3 Dalle =eva3o& Guring t(e 194"Es an3 195"Es, t(e s,ort ex,an3e3 ra,i3l2 *it( ne* s1i areas :eing :uilt in t(e 'entral +n3es near .antiago an3 in sout(2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 3( #

Laurent Vanat

ern C(ile, largel2 on t(e slo,es of vol'anoes& Guring t(e 19$"Es, im,rovements to infrastru'ture in'lu3e3 ne* s1i lifts, in'rease3 an3 :etter (otel 'a,a'it2, an3 im,rove3 roa3s& <it( fe*er tourists t(an in 8uro,e an3 t(e >nite3 .tates, t(e s1i in3ustr2 in C(ile remaine3 in a Fuiet state until t(e 199"Es& )m,rovements su'( as ne* s1i lifts, a33e3 'a,a'it2 to (otels, saunas an3 s*imming ,ools serve3 to ,rovi3e C(ileJs s1i resorts *it( a *orl3-'lass re,utation& T(ere are t(ree ,rin'i,al geogra,(i' s1i regions in C(ile& T(e Central C(ilean +n3es, *(ere s1i resorts are lo'ate3 :et*een 2J$"" an3 #J""" meters, on *i3e-o,en mountains, a:ove tree-line& T(e sno* is generall2 3r2 an3 t(e terrain varie3, ,rovi3ing slo,es for s1iers an3 :oar3ers of all a:ilities& T(e main resorts are 8l Colora3o, Aa 7arva, Dalle =eva3o, 7ortillo, Aagunillas, an3 C(a,a Der3e& 7ortillo is t(e ol3est s1i resort in .out( +meri'a& )t is surroun3e3 :2 sno*2 ,ea1s t(at rise to 4E""" meters a:ove sea level& T(e resort (as some ,e'uliar 4 ,erson T-:ar lifts, uniFue in t(e *orl3& T(e resort offers 2# runs an3 features 14 lifts an3 'laims to limit a''ess to onl2 44" guests, offering a uniFue ex,erien'e& Tres Dalles, *it( an inter'onne't :et*een 8l Colora3a, Aa 7arva an3 Dalle =eva3o, is t(e largest s1i area of .out( +meri'a, *it( a total of 4$ lifts an3 a:out 12" 1ilometers of groome3 runs& T(e area, lo'ate3 4" 1ilometers from .antiago, to,s out at #E5#" meters& )n a33ition, t(e Dalle =eva3o :ase area, nestle3 at #E"24 meters a:ove sea level, is re'ogni;e3 as t(e (ig(est in t(e *orl3& )n t(e .out(ern +n3es, *(ere t(e mountains are lo*er on average, ,re'i,itation is mu'( (ig(er, an3 as a result t(ere is :ot( more an3 (eavier sno*& T(e resorts are largel2 lo'ate3 on t(e lo*er slo,es of vol'anoes, man2 of *(i'( are a'tive, an3 ,rovi3e terrain *it( 3ense native forests& T(e vie*s of la1es, forests, an3 3istant vol'anoes are ex'e,tional& T(e maHor resorts are Termas 3e C(illRn, Dillarri'a, +ntillan'a, AonFuima2, Aas +rau'arias, an3 Corral'o& 7atagonia (as s1i infrastru'ture at Cerro 8l 9raile an3 at Cerro Mira3or in 7unta +renas, *(ere one 'an s1i an3 enHo2 s,e'ta'ular o'ean vie*s& @e'ause of t(e latitu3e, t(ese resorts (ave t(e longest s1i season of an2*(ere in C(ile& Cerro Mira3or is t(e sout(ernmost s1i area in C(ile& )t
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 33 #

*as eFui,,e3 in 1946 *it( its first lift, in s,ite of t(e fa't t(at it *as alrea32 'onsi3ere3 a s1i resort as earl2 as 19#$& .till to3a2, t(e area features one uniFue lift, :ut 14 runs, *(i'( allo* s1iing from mi3Bune to mi3-.e,tem:er *it( s,e'ta'ular s'ener2 of t(e .traits of Magellan& C(ilean s1i resorts are estimate3 to attra't a:out 1&24 million s1ier visits ,er 2ear&

+hile7s -irst )on!ola in the Valle 2eva!o Ski Resort Dalle =eva3o (as announ'e3 'onstru'tion of a ne* gon3ola, C(ileJs first, *(i'( o,ene3 for t(e resortJs 2"12 s1i season in Bune, along *it( ot(er u,gra3es& T(e 1&2 1ilometer long gon3ola *ill feature 6" six-,assenger 'a:ins an3 *ill :e a:le to trans,ort 2E""" ,assengers ,er (our& Traveling at a s,ee3 of 6&4 meters ,er se'on3, it *ill ,rovi3e ri3ers *it( a Fui'1 an3 'onvenient *a2 to rea'( mi3mountain from t(e ne* 3a2 visitor ,ar1ing lot an3 servi'e 'enter :elo*& T(e ne* ,ar1ing lot an3 servi'e area 'an a''ommo3ate 4"" ve(i'les for 3a2 visitors& )t is aime3 at 3is,ersing traffi' an3 ma1ing it easier to get on t(e slo,es& T(e a3Ha'ent ne* 'enter *ill offer ti'1et sales, s1i an3 sno*:oar3 eFui,ment rentals, a s1i an3 sno*:oar3 lesson sign u, area, an3 a ne* restaurant& )n a33ition to t(e gon3ola an3 ,ar1ing area, t(e resort *ill o,en a g2mnasium as a ne* s,orts an3 entertainment 'enter for (otel guests, offering a 'lim:ing *all, s1ate ram,, ,ing ,ong, an3 ot(er a'tivities& T(e resortEs ne* meeting room *ill o,en at t(e Hotel Tres 7untas, an3 *(ere t(ere *ill :e *ine tasting an3 live musi' ever2 T(urs3a2 afternoon& +ll of t(is is ,art of DalleEs >.G 14" million master ,lan to transform t(e :ase area into a 'om,lete mountain village&

.our'e : .no*(unter

Inite! States

Laurent Vanat

T(e >nite3 .tates re,resents t(e largest s1i mar1et, *it( a (ig( num:er or resorts an3 t(e (ig(est atten3an'e figures on average& T(e in3ustr2 is 3ominate3 :2 several :ig ,la2ers, o,erating several mostl2 integrate3 resorts& )n a33ition, it (as numerous in3e,en3ent s1i areas of var2ing si;es& =evert(eless, 3ue to 'losures an3 ot(er misfortunes, t(e num:er of s1i areas (as :een stea3il2 3e'reasing over t(e 2ears& +t t(e :eginning of t(e 19$"Es, t(ere *ere over 6"" s1i resorts in o,eration, *(ereas t(ere are onl2 a:out 4$" s1i areas still in o,eration to3a2&
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 35 #

T(e >nite3 .tates s1i in3ustr2 (as :een t(e most 'losel2 anal2;e3 s1i in3ustr2 over t(e 2ears& T(ere is a su:stantial (istor2 of statisti'al 3ata availa:le& )t *as t(e first in t(e in3ustr2 to raise issues in t(e 3is're,an'ies :et*een ,o,ulation gro*t( an3 s1ier visits, es,e'iall2 sin'e it ,rimaril2 3e,en3s on 3omesti' ,arti'i,ation& )n s,ite of its (uge ,o,ulation, t(e ,arti'i,ation rate is estimate3 at onl2 #K to 4K& +si3e from t(e 2""$ 'risis, *eat(er 'on3itions (ave s(a,e3, more t(an an2t(ing else, t(e '(ange in s1ier visits over t(e 2ears& .1ier visits t(roug( t(e :eginning of t(e 3e'a3e reinfor'e3 t(e tren3 of a mature mar1et sin'e t(e en3 of t(e 196"Es& Ho*ever, t(ings :egan to '(ange over t(e last 4 2ears, *it( # ver2 goo3 seasons, lea3ing to a re'ent gro*t( tren3 u, to t(e 2"11/12 season& +fter (aving set a ne* all-time re'or3 of 5"&4 million s1ier visits for t(e 2"1"/11 season, t(e 2"11/12 *inter sa* a 3ro, in atten3an'e figures un(ear3 of seen sin'e 1991/92& <it( onl2 41&" million s1ier visits t(e in3ustr2 ex,erien'e3 a nearl2 15K 3e'line from t(e season :efore& Ao* sno*fall U 41K 3o*n on average from t(e ,rior season - an3 re'or3 *arm tem,eratures in all regions 'ause3 a 3e'line in visits for $#K of t(e s1i areas in t(e >nite3 .tates&

6"J"""J""" 5"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2
# 38 #

-i"ure 15 , IS*H evolution of skier visits

9urt(er to t(e a'1no*le3gement of t(e 3emogra,(i' issue, t(e >&.& s1i resorts in3ustr2 monitors 'losel2 t(e 2earl2 results of its Mo3el for Gro*t(& )t aims at a33ressing t(e aging ,o,ulation, t(e in'reasing ,ro,ortion of minorities an3 s1ier retention rates (in'reasing t(e

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

interest of :eginners, 'onverting t(em into lifelong s1iers an3 ,reventing regular s1iers from a:an3oning t(e s,ort!& 9or several 2ears no*, measures (ave :een ta1en in or3er to im,lement t(is Mo3el for Gro*t(, even if some 3ra*:a'1s a,,eare3 an3 t(e >&.& in3ustr2 still 'ontinues to (ave 3iffi'ult2 in gro*ing its 'ustomer :ase& T(e results s(o* t(at 'ontinuous efforts are reFuire3 an3 t(eir :enefits are limite3, so t(e2 nee3 to :e multi,lie3& <it( a mar1et as :ig as 8uro,e :ut onl2 one t(ir3 of t(e num:er of s1ier visits, t(e >&.& in3ustr2 still seems to (ave some ,otential& T(e goo3 ne*s for t(e >&.& s1i in3ustr2 is t(at t(e num:er of s1iers 'ontinues to gro*, *it( an average in'rease of 1&2K over t(e last ten 2ears&

2ew Ski *rea -or ItahM 7lans for a ne* s1i resort in >ta( a,,ear to :e moving for*ar3 after t(e lo'al 7lanning Commission gave t(e go a(ea3 for t(e s1i areaJs lan3 use ,ermit, reHe'ting o,,onentEs a,,eals& T(e C(err2 7ea1 .1i +rea *oul3 in'lu3e four s1i lifts, a s1i lo3ge, terrain ,ar1, tu:ing (ill an3 ;i,-line at a site 'overing Hust over 2"" a'res& )t *oul3 :e a:le to a''ommo3ate u, to 1E""" s1iers an3 :oar3ers ,er 3a2& 0,,onents liste3 ,otential 3amage to lo'al *il3life (a:itat, re3u'ing t(e li1el2 su''ess of (unting in t(e area an3 ,ossi:le lo'al tax in'reases to ,a2 for roa3 maintenan'e from (ig(er traffi' among ot(er t(ings, :ut 'ommissioners for t(e lo'al Ca'(e Dalle2 area sai3 t(ese matters (a3 alrea32 :een t(oroug(l2 investigate3 :efore t(e initial go-a(ea3 (a3 :een given& 0,,onents are re,orte3 to no* :e 'onsi3ering ta1ing t(eir a,,eal to t(e lo'al 3istri't 'ourt&

.our'e : .no*(unter

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 50 #

*sia an! 4a%ifi%

*ustralia
.1iing (as alrea32 a long (istor2 in +ustralia& Miners are sai3 to (ave :egun s1iing alrea32 in t(e 19t( 'entur2& -e'or3s in3i'ate t(at t(e2 foun3e3 t(e first s1i 'lu: in 1$51& T(e 192"Es sa* an ex,losion of *inter s,orts& T(e in3ustr2 organi;e3 an3 +ustraliaEs first s1i lift *as o,ene3 in 19#6& 0n-slo,e lo3ging fa'ilities remaine3 limite3 t(roug( t(e 194"Es& T(en s1iing :e'ame more ,o,ular an3 resort 3evelo,ment in'rease3, *it( strong influen'e from t(e >nite3 .tates, Cana3a an3 8uro,e& Ho*ever, some s1i areas are lo'ate3 in =atural 7ar1s an3 t(eir ex,ansion (as :een un3er tig(t 'ontrol& T(e :oom of t(e s1i in3ustr2 laste3 t(roug( t(e 196"Es an3 t(en entere3 a 'onsoli3ation ,(ase, *it( s1ier visit figures flattening& T(e2 (ave :een sta:le for t(e ,ast ten 2ears, *it( o''asional goo3 2ears su'( as 2""4, alternating *it( average an3 ,oor 2ears, su'( as 2""1 an3 2""5& T(e 2"12 s1i season *as t(e :est in t(e last 1" 2ears, *it( an in'rease of 24K over t(e ,revious season&
2J4""J"""

2J"""J"""

1J4""J"""

1J"""J"""

4""J"""

"
2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# 51 #

-i"ure 18, *ustraliaH evolution of skier visits

Go*n(ill s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing ,rimaril2 ta1e ,la'e at $ resorts of t(e =e* .out( <(ales an3 Di'toria states, in t(e region 'alle3 t(e +ustralian +l,s, lo'ate3 :et*een Mel:ourne an3 Can:erra& T(ere are also t*o small s1i resorts on Tasmania )slan3, lo'ate3 in =ational 7ar1s, *(ere sno*fall is not al*a2s suffi'ient to ena:le s1iing ever2 2ear&
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

+,art from one :ig resort, most of t(e s1i areas are rat(er small *it( limite3 verti'al 3ro,& Most areas (ave sno*ma1ing 'a,a:ilities& .ome resorts (ave a vi:rant nig(t life, :ut t(e2 are ,er'eive3 as ex,ensive an3 even luxurious& <it( foreign visitors re,resenting less t(an 2K of s1ier visits, +ustralian resorts are 'learl2 not ver2 a,,ealing to international 'ustomers, an3 sin'e =e* Cealan3 offers a 'lose alternative *it( mu'( greater verti'al 3ro,, lo*er ,ri'es an3 are at least as mu'( fun& )t even 'om,etes for 3omesti' 'ustomers, *(o in ,art also ,refer to go s1iing in =e* Cealan3& T(re3:o, :uilt on t(e 8uro,ean s1i resort mo3el *it( its s(o,s, nig(tlife an3 a''ommo3ations, is an exam,le of t(e 1in3 of resorts t(at exist in +ustralia, *it( 4" runs servi'e3 :2 14 lifts& T(e resort also offers t(e longest run in +ustralia, #&2 1ilometers long *it( a verti'al 3ro, of 56" meters& T(re3:o is lo'ate3 on t(e slo,es of t(e (ig(est mountain in +ustralia, *(i'( 'ulminates at an altitu3e of 2E22$ meters an3 is in t(e .out(ern .no*2 Mountains& +not(er exam,le is 7eris(er @lue, lo'ate3 in t(e .no*2 Mountains of =e* .out( <ales& T(is is t(e largest s1i resort in +ustralia, *it( four villages (7eris(er, .miggin Holes, @lue Co* an3 Gut(ega! an3 seven summits (in'lu3ing five of t(e (ig(est in t(e 'ountr2! serve3 :2 49 lifts& T(ere are 99 1ilometers of runs for all levels, :ut 5"K are interme3iate&

2ew *ustralian Lift is Bon@a T(e onl2 ne* '(airlift to o,en in +ustralia t(is 2ear is t(e @on;a Fua3 '(airlift at Mt @uller, *(i'( is s'(e3ule3 to o,en in Bune& T(e ne* '(airlift s,ear(ea3s im,rovements for 2"12, *(i'( in'lu3e a revitali;e3 nort( si3e area, more sno*ma1ing, an3 a ne* loo1 to t(e Dillage& T(e +>G #&1 million @on;a '(air is a fixe3-gri, Fua3 *(i'( *ill :oost Mt @ullerJs lift net*or1 o,ening u, a''ess to t(e ,o,ular area :et*een t(e @urnt Hut .,ur an3 t(e .ummit& T(e ne* lift re,la'es t(e ol3 @urnt Hut C(airlift lost to lig(tning 3amage in earl2 2"1"&

Laurent Vanat

T(e lift (as :een affe'tionatel2 name3 t(e @on;a C(airlift an3 is a 'ele:ration of +ustralian s1iing an3 :oar3ing an3 all a:out inHe'ting fun :a'1 into t(e nort(ern slo,es of Mt @uller t(is *inter, sai3 a resort re,resentative&
T(e lift im,roves t(e flo* on t(e nort(ern si3e of t(e mountain an3 is eagerl2 anti'i,ate3 :2 s1iers an3 :oar3ers 1een to get into t(e rolling tree-runs an3 stas(es t(at (ave :een (ar3 to a''ess in re'ent 2ears& T(e Ho*Fua C(airlift (as also :een u,gra3e3 for t(is *inter *it( 91 ne* '(airs& T(e lift (as :een me'(ani'all2 over(aule3 in re'ent 2ears& T(ese 'omforta:le ne* '(airs, 'om,lete *it( s,e'ial ?i3 .to, safet2 :ars, are t(e final flouris(&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 52 #

)tJs :een a :us2 summer t(at (as :een all a:out ma1ing @uller :etter& ) t(in1 guests *ill :e ex'ite3 :2 t(e :ig '(anges t(e2 are going to see all over t(e resort
sai3 @uller .1i Aifts General Manager, Aaurie @lam,ie3&

)n a33ition to t(e lift, a33itional sno*ma1ing an3 t(e res(a,ing of our =ort( si3e Gis'over2 +rea t(e ne* @-T+G lift ,asses an3 automate3 a''ess s2stem *eJve rolle3 out t(is 2ear *ill ta1e t(e mountain to a ne* level in te'(nolog2 an3 'onvenien'e& =ot sin'e t(e merging of t(e t*o lift 'om,anies :a'1 in 19$4 *ill @uller s1iers ex,erien'e su'( a signifi'ant im,rovement to t(eir a''ess an3 free3om to move aroun3 t(e mountain& .our'e : .no*(unter

+hina
.1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing are ,rimaril2 in t(e nort(eastern ,art of t(e 'ountr2, in t(e Har:in region, *(i'( (ouses most of C(inaEs s1i areas& Ho*ever, s,ots in t(e =ort(*est an3 t(e Mi33le-sout( also ,rovi3e for some sno* s,orts& Most s1i areas are still ,oorl2 eFui,,e3& <(ile t(ere are a:out #4" s1i areas in C(ina, most of t(em are onl2 s1i fiel3s for :eginners (*(i'( still re,resent $"K of t(e :usiness!& 0nl2 2" are a,,roa'(ing *estern stan3ar3s, :ut often *it(out a''ommo3ations, an3 a limite3 num:er 'an :e 'onsi3ere3 to :e genuine s1i resorts& Ho*ever, in re'ent 2ears, t(is restri'te3 'ir'le (as :een gro*ing an3 no* in'lu3es t(e *ell-1no*n Oa:uli, @ei3a(u an3 C(ang:ais(an s1i areas& T(e re'entl2 a33e3 Genting -esort .e'ret Gar3en is (o,ing to :e'ome a ne* 4-season 3estination& T(ere are also # s1i-3omes (in @eiHing an3 .(ang(ai! an3 a 3o;en sno* sta3iums aroun3 @eiHing *it( 1""K sno*ma1ing an3 a maximum verti'al 3ro, of a fe* (un3re3 meters& Tem,eratures 'an :e extremel2 toug( :ut s1iing in C(ina is a uniFue ex,erien'e& T(ere is no 'ulture of s1iing in C(ina& T(e first s1i areas emerge3 in t(e 19$"Es, mostl2 3esigne3 for t(e training of s1i ra'ers, *it( usuall2 onl2 one slo,e an3 ,oor a''ommo3ations& .in'e Oa:uli *as a*ar3e3 t(e 1995 +sian <inter Games, interest in s1iing (as 3evelo,e3 Fui'1l2& @esi3es :uil3ing t(e ne'essar2 infrastru'ture to (ost t(e Games, s1i areas su33enl2 :egan to 3evelo, aroun3 maHor 'ities& T(e ,a'e of gro*t( in'rease3 in t(e 2"""/"1 *inter, *(en t(e first sno* sta3ium near @eiHing *as :uilt& Most C(inese s1iers 3o not s1i more t(an on'e ,er season& T(e average level is ver2 lo*, so t(ere are a lot of :eginners& .ome s1i areas even (ave ,ai3 em,lo2ees to (el, s1iers get u, after t(e2 fall an3 to retrieve t(eir eFui,mentP Most s1i areas offer ,a'1ages for 2 (ours of
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 53 #

s1iing, in'lu3ing eFui,ment& .1iing is 'onsi3ere3 as a 1in3 of entertainment ,ro3u't rat(er t(an a s,ort t(at reFuires re,eate3 ,ra'ti'e& 9or t(e time :eing, s1i areas are 'onsi3ere3 more as s1i ,la2groun3s t(an as mountain resorts, an3 one-time s1iers are a 'onsi3era:le ,ortion of s1ier visits& .1iing is nevert(eless :e'oming more an3 more ,o,ular among *ealt(2 C(inese :et*een t(e ages of 24 to #4& +:out $"K of t(e s1iers are un3er 4"& Gro*t( (as :een 3ramati' sin'e t(e :eginning of t(e 3e'a3e& -ates of 4"K ,er 2ear (ave :een announ'e3 an3 s1ier visits *ere ex,e'te3 to rea'( 1" million in 2"1"& Ho*ever, t(is 3i3 not turn out to :e t(e 'ase in t(e last fe* 2ears& 0ne estimates t(at t(ere are 'urrentl2 less t(an 4 million 3omesti' s1iers, totaling a:out 6 million s1ier visits (*(i'( for some ex,erts is an o,timisti' figure!& 8ven if gro*t( 3i3 not follo* t(e ex,e'te3 ,at(, t(e mar1et ,otential remains unta,,e3& )t *as estimate3 at 26 million :2 t(e <T0 in 2""#, an3 re'entl2 revise3 :2 anot(er stu32 to 12" million& Ho*ever, t(e moment *(en t(is figure *ill :e rea'(e3 is still an2oneEs guess&

$J"""J""" 6J"""J""" 5J"""J""" 4J"""J""" 4J"""J""" #J"""J""" 2J"""J""" 1J"""J""" "

2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 20 , +hinaH evolution of skier visits

Laurent Vanat

T(e :est eFui,,e3 resort in C(ina is Oa:uli in HeilongHiang 7rovin'e, 'lose to Har:in& -e'ent 3evelo,ments (ave :roug(t it 'lose to 8uro,ean an3 Ba,anese stan3ar3s in terms of infrastru'ture Fualit2, alt(oug( not 2et in terms of s1i area si;e& .ome of t(e a''ommo3ations are no* manage3 :2 a famous international (os,italit2 / leisure o,erator& Ao'ate3 in t(e far =ort( of C(ina, tem,eratures 'an :e ver2 'ol3& )t is no* t(e largest s1i resort an3 training 'enter for *inter s,orts&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 5& #

T(e s1i resort of C(ang:ais(an offers a 'om:ination of (ot s,rings an3 sno*& Ao'ate3 in t(e Bilin 7rovin'e, t(e resort (as vie*s of 15 ,ea1s in t(e C(ang:ai Mountains& )t is lo'ate3 at an altitu3e of 1E54" to 1E$2" meters a:ove sea level& @ei3a(u is also lo'ate3 in t(e Bilin 7rovin'e& )t is surroun3e3 :2 mountains *it( summits over 1E2"" meters an3 t(at are 'overe3 in sno* for (alf of t(e 2ear& 9urt(er sout(*est, t(e mountains are mu'( (ig(er& Gagu Gla'ier -o,e*a2, installe3 in 2""$ in t(e .i'(uan 7rovin'e, is t(e (ig(est gon3ola in t(e *orl3& T(e summit station is lo'ate3 at 4E$4# metersP filing .no* Mountain, in t(e same 7rovin'e, 'urrentl2 features a gon3ola lift an3 several 2- an3 4-seater '(airlifts& .urroun3e3 :2 mountains more t(an 4E#"" meters (ig(, t(e resort (as t(e largest s1i area in .out(ern C(ina an3 (as t(e :est fa'ilities&

In!ia
=ort(ern )n3ia is a mountainous area *it( several ,ea1s over 6J""" meters (ig(& .1iing *as intro3u'e3 (ere :2 8uro,eans in t(e earl2 196"Js an3 (as :e'ome in'reasingl2 ,o,ular *it( foreign s1iers& 8ven if some )n3ians love s1iing, most are not 2et traine3 for t(is 3is'i,line& 0,erators are :eginning to 3evelo, more mo3ern s1i areas, *(i'( are also t(e least ex,ensive in t(e *orl3& .1iing ta1es ,la'e in t(e Manali Dalle2, lo'ate3 in t(e .tate of Hima'(al 7ra3es(, in =ort(*est )n3ia& T(is region, in t(e foot(ills of t(e Himala2as, 'on'entrates most of t(e 'ountr2Es fe* s1i areas& T(e lift infrastru'ture remains mo3est, :ut some rea'( im,ressive altitu3es, as t(e region is lo'ate3 :et*een 4E4"" an3 6J""" metres a:ove sea level& T(ere is also s1iing in ?as(mir, a neig(:oring region of t(e Hima'(al 7ra3es(& T(is region of t(e )n3ian su:'ontinent is 3is,ute3 :et*een )n3ia an3 7a1istan, giving rise to arme3 'onfli't from time to time, *(i'( ma2 'ause a''ess restri'tions in some ,la'es& T(ere are t*o maHor s1i areas in t(e 'ountr2& T(e largest one is Gulmarg, in t(e .tate of Bammu an3 ?as(mir& )t is one of t(e most famous in t(is region of +sia& -uns range from 2J5"" to #J2"" meters long& T(e s1i area got eFui,,e3 a fe* 2ears ago *it( a 2se'tion gon3ola, famous for 'arr2ing s1iers to an alti2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 5' #

tu3e of nearl2 4J""" meters a:ove sea level at its to, station, a *orl3 re'or3& + Fua3 '(airlift at t(e same (ig(-altitu3e *as re'entl2 a33e3, also ma1ing it t(e (ig(est in t(e *orl3& T(e area offers more t(an 1J""" meters of verti'al 3ro,, *it( ,ristine slo,es& T(e village of Gulmarg lies at 2J4"" meters a:ove sea level& T(e s1i area is 3ominate3 :2 t(e 4J124 meter Mount +,(ar*at& T(is gives t(e ,la'e a magi'al feel for s1iers& T(e resort is one of t(e fe* ,la'es on 8art( *(ere t(ere ma2 :e 2 'ontinuous *ee1s of sno*fall& 9urt(ermore, it offers a variet2 of runs: s1iers *ill enHo2 t(e (ig( slo,es of +,ar*at(, *(i'( offer magnifi'ent vie*s of ?2 3uring goo3 *eat(er, or t(e runs in ?ong3ori& T(e :est time to 'ome to Gulmarg is from mi3-Banuar2 to mi3-9e:ruar2, es,e'iall2 for s1iers loo1ing for a :alan'e :et*een a sta:le sno*,a'1, 'om:ine3 *it( t(e ,o*3er sno* 3o*n to Gulmarg, in t(e valle2& +uli is t(e most sele't resort in )n3ia, offering t(e :est ,ossi:le infrastru'ture& )t (osts t(e )n3ian national s1i C(am,ions(i,s an3 an )n3ian s1i festival& )t is nestle3 in a 'olle'tion of sno* 'overe3 Himala2an ,ea1s (t(e Gar(*al Mountains!& +uli offers 2J""" meters of slo,es, eFui,,e3 *it( mo3ern lifts& T(e s1i area of Manali is lo'ate3 at t(e nort(ern en3 of t(e ?ullu Dalle2& )t is :est 1no*n for (eli-s1iing :ut also offers a fe* lifts& )t (as a multi-season s,ort offering& +mong t(e 'ountr2Es ot(er s1i areas, most usuall2 (ave onl2 one lift& T(e small ?ufri s1i area is nestle3 in t(e (ills of Hima'(al 7ra3es(& )t is one of t(e :est 3estinations for s1iing in t(is .tate an3 a 3estination easil2 a''essi:le for an2one in nort(ern )n3ia& T(is Fuiet to*n :e'omes a *inter ,ara3ise as soon as t(e sno* :egins to fall& ?ufri is (ome to an annual festival of *inter s,orts in 9e:ruar2& =ar1an3a resort is lo'ate3 54 1ilometers from .(imla& +t #J14# meters a:ove sea level, it is one of t(e ol3est resorts of )n3ia& T(e s1i season is 'on'entrate3 :et*een late Ge'em:er an3 earl2 Mar'(& =ar1an3a offers :eautiful lan3s'a,es an3 s,len3i3 vie*s of t(e Himala2as& Ga2ara @ug2al is anot(er s1i area, lo'ate3 at an elevation of #J"4" meters&

6e%a!e Ol! LuDur In!ian Ski Villa"e 4ro;e%t Moves -orwar!

Laurent Vanat

+ near 3e'a3e ol3 ,lan to :uil3 a luxurious s1i resort in t(e )n3ian ,rovin'e of Hima'(al 7ra3es( :2 t(e long esta:lis(e3 2ear-roun3 tourist 3estination of Manali (as ta1en a ste, for*ar3, several 2ears sin'e it *as last in t(e ,u:li' e2e& T(e .1i Dillage *as ,ro,ose3 :2 a grou, le3 :2 +lfre3 9or3, t(e great gran3son of Henr2 9or3, an3 envisione3 a luxurious resort 3evelo,ment :eneat( a *orl3 'lass s1i area 3esigne3 :2 Dail resort 3esigners, an3 at a 'ost of several :illion 3ollars, to attra't s1iers an3 :oar3ers from aroun3 t(e glo:e& T(e s1i 3evelo,ment ,ro,osal *as for 3evelo,ment to 'om,l2 *it( t(e (ig(est environmental stan3ar3s an3 ex,erts *ere flo*n in from Aon3on >niversities to a3vise 3uring t(e earl2 ,lanning stages& T(e resort *as 3ue to (ave :een 'om,lete3 for t(e 2""9-1" s1i

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 5( #

season& )nitiall2 from a,,roximatel2 2""4-6, t(e ,roHe't move3 for*ar3 an3 t(e resortEs ,lanners soug(t to *in t(e (earts an3 min3s :2 :ringing in instru'tors from -u1a in 9inlan3 to train lo'als to tea'( s1iing& @ut a '(ange of government in 2""$ an3 a range of lo'al o,,osition from farmers to religious lea3ers le3 to t(e 3evelo,ment :eing reHe'te3 an3 several se,arate :ut similar ,ro,osals :2 )n3ian 3evelo,ers *ere also reHe'te3& =ot(ing (a3 :een (ear3 a:out t(e ,ro,osals over t(e ,ast t(ree or four 2ears until t(e Hima'(al 7ra3es( Hig( Court su33enl2 'leare3 t(e 3evelo,ment to move for*ar3& .ome 'ommentators (ave (ear3 a rumor t(at t(e interest in s*it'(ing t(e 3evelo,ment over t(e ,rovin'ial :or3er in to neig(:oring ?as(mir ma2 (ave :een a fa'tor& <(et(er t(e grou, le3 :2 +lfre3 9or3 still *ants to go a(ea3 *it( t(e ,roHe't is un1no*n an3 t(ere (as :een no ,u:li' 'omment from t(em for t(e ,roHe't for several 2ears&

.our'e : .no*(unter

Fapan
Ba,an is one of t(e 'ountries *it( t(e (ig(est num:er of s1i areas& -esorts are lo'ate3 all along t(e Ba,anese islan3s, from t(e nort(ern islan3 of Ho11ai3o to t(e main sout(ern islan3 of ?2us(u& +lmost t(e entire ,o,ulation is onl2 a 'ou,le (ours a*a2 from a s1i area& <it( its (ig( num:er of in(a:itants, t(is re,resents a (uge ,otential& T(e Ba,anese s1i in3ustr2 ex,erien'e3 a tremen3ous :oom in t(e 2ears from 196" U 199", *(en s1ier visits rea'(e3 re'or3 figures& )n t(e eig(ties, resort 3evelo,ment *as 3ramati', *it( several ne*, ex,an3e3 or full2 re:uilt s1i areas& T(e 'ountr2 offere3 t(e finest an3 most mo3ern fa'ilities in t(e *orl3& .1iing :e'ame ver2 fas(iona:le an3 t(e most ,o,ular s,ort among 2oung ,eo,le& T(e resorts *ere :us2 an3 'ro*3e3 to su'( an extent t(at it *as sometimes 3iffi'ult to a'tuall2 s1iP T(ere *ere long lift lines an3 'ro*3e3 slo,es& T(is surel2 'ontri:ute3 to s1iing :e'oming less a,,ealing& 9urt(ermore, Ba,an ex,erien'e3 a signifi'ant e'onomi' 3o*nturn at t(e :eginning of t(e 199"Es an3 real estate *as affe'te3& Man2 resorts t(en (a3 3iffi'ult2 finan'ing t(eir (uge investments& .1ier visits :egan to 3e'rease signifi'antl2& )n t(e ,ast, Ba,an *as also t(e 'ountr2 *it( t(e most in3oor sno* 'enters an3 t(e *orl3Es first su'( 'enter (t(e first one o,ene3 in 1949!& Ho*ever, in re'ent 2ears, several of t(ese fa'ilities (ave

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 53 #

'lose3& T(is seems to :e a furt(er sign of t(e loss of interest in s1iing&

5"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" 4"J"""J""" #"J"""J""" 2"J"""J""" 1"J"""J""" "

2" "$ -" 9 2" "9 -1 " 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "6 -" $ 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" 11 -1 2

-i"ure 21, FapanH evolution of skier visits

To3a2, s1ier visits are un3er 4" million ,er 2ear, a:out (alf of *(at t(e2 *ere in t(e 19$"Js& T(e slo,es are no longer over'ro*3e3& Ho*ever, t(e in3ustr2 is tr2ing to re'over an3 attra't ne* 'lients& .ome s1i areas (ave turne3 into :ig resorts *(ere s1iing is onl2 one of man2 a'tivities to '(oose from& )nvestments are 3ire'te3 to ma1e t(ese ,la'es attra'tive to :ot( s1iers an3 non s1iers& True mountain :ase villages (ave :een 3evelo,e3, offering (ousing an3 multi,le fa'ilities& .ome are even afrai3 of a almost Gisne2lan3ifi'ation of t(e mountain& <it( t(ese '(anges, t(e Ba,anese s1i areas also attra't more an3 more foreign visitors& 1" 2ears ago, t(ere *ere nearl2 no foreign visitors *(o 'ame to Ba,an to s1i& To3a2, t(e 'ountr2 attra'ts s1iers from a:roa3& )t is no* 'ommon to see s1iers from +ustralia an3 8ast +sia, :ut t(e fo'us is no* on attra'ting 8uro,eans an3 +meri'ans& 8fforts (ave :een ma3e to ,ro3u'e trail ma,s, sign an3 menus in 8nglis(, ?orean an3 C(inese&

Laurent Vanat

2ew Cealan!
=e* Cealan3 is a maHor 3estination in t(e .out(ern Hemis,(ere for s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing& T(e resorts are *ell eFui,,e3 an3 fairl2 evenl2 s,rea3 out over t(e t*o main islan3s t(at ma1e u, t(e ar'(i,elago& .no* 'on3itions are goo3, even if t(e ,o*3er is not as lig(t
2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 55 #

as in t(e +l,s or t(e +n3es, 3ue to t(e maritime 'limate& 0nl2 a fe* resorts (ave more t(an 4"" meters verti'al 3ro,& T(e ot(ers (ave s(orter slo,es& T(e season starts in late Ma2 an3 en3s in earl2 =ovem:er&

1J$""J""" 1J5""J""" 1J4""J""" 1J2""J""" 1J"""J""" $""J""" 5""J""" 4""J""" 2""J""" "
2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# 58 #

-i"ure 22, 2ew Cealan!H evolution of skier visits

)n a33ition to 14 'ommer'ial s1i areas, =e* Cealan3 (as a 3o;en ,rivate s1i 'lu:s an3 (elis1iing is also (ig(l2 3evelo,e3, *it( numerous ,ossi:ilities an3 3e,artures from 1" 3ifferent :ases& 0ver t(e last 3e'a3e, s1iing *as gro*ing& @efore t(e 2"""Es, onl2 ex'e,tional seasons sa* more t(an one million s1ier visits& .in'e t(e earl2 2"""Es t(is (as :een t(e rule& T(e sout(ern ,art of t(e 'ountr2 offers t(e :est s1i resorts in =e* Cealan3& =ear Vueensto*n, t(e -emar1a:les mountain range :oasts a vast s1i area of a:out 22" (e'tares t(at rises to 1E9#4 meters a:ove sea level& T(ere are 4 s1i resorts on t(e nort(ern )slan3& <(a1a,a,a an3 Turoa are t(e most ,o,ular s1i areas, to,,ing out at 2E#"" meters a:ove sea level on t(e nort(east si3e of Mount -ua,e(u, a still-a'tive vol'ano& T(e2 merge3 re'entl2 an3 attra't man2 s1iers an3 sno*:oar3ers ever2 2ear& Ges,ite :eing t(e largest resort in t(e 'ountr2, it is small *(en 'om,are3 to ot(er international 3estinations& )t (as onl2 4# trails an3 15 lifts s,rea3 out over 4"" (e'tares&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

South >orea
.out( ?orea is a mountainous 'ountr2 *it( relativel2 'ol3 *inters& )'e s1ating or gli3ing over t(e sno* *as alrea32 familiar to ,art of t(e ,o,ulation :efore t(e a3vent of s1iing& <(en t(e first s1i resort *as 3evelo,e3 in 1964, it ra,i3l2 :e'ame ,o,ular& + fe* 2ears later it *as follo*e3 :2 several ne* o,enings& 8ven if t(e finan'ial 'risis t(at (it .out( ?orea in 199$ slo*e3 3o*n ne* 3evelo,ments for 2ears, t(e2 resume3 after 2""2& T(e 'ountr2 no* (as 1$ s1i resorts, mostl2 eFui,,e3 to international stan3ar3s& ?orean resorts are :ase3 on t(e =ort( +meri'an mo3el, ver2 'a,ital intensive& T(e2 are generall2 :uilt on lan3 t(at must :e full2 or ,artiall2 a'Fuire3 :2 t(e o,erator, *(o t(en 'ontrols t(e entire :usiness& +s t(e2 are all 'reate3 from s'rat'(, resorts reFuire signifi'ant investment in roa3s an3 utilities, not to mention t(e nee3 to :uil3 t(e entire :ase area infrastru'ture& +''ommo3ations are almost ex'lusivel2 'on'entrate3 in 'on3ominiums& T(e ,e'uliarities of t(e terrain also 'reate t(e nee3 for a lot of 'ivil engineering *or1& T(is generall2 limits s1i resort o,eration to ,o*erful finan'ial grou,s& .everal s1i areas are o*ne3 :2 large, t2,i'all2 ?orean, 'onglomerates, li1e H2un3ai an3 AG& T(e smaller 3evelo,ers (ave often suffere3 finan'ial 3iffi'ulties or gone :an1ru,t to :e ta1en over :2 a :ig investor&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 80 #

+ll resorts offer 2ear roun3 a'tivities& Most (ave at least one golf 'ourse, an in3oor s*imming ,ool an3 s(o,s& )n3oor malls are fille3 *it( re'reational a'tivities li1e :o*ling, ,ing ,ong, vi3eo games, movies, 1arao1e, an3 of 'ourse restaurants, :ars, 'lu:s an3 nig(t'lu:s, as man2 of t(e resorts are a'tive :ot( 3a2 an3 nig(t& # resorts even offer a *ater ,ar1 an3 a t(eme ,ar1&

6J"""J""" 5J"""J""" 4J"""J""" 4J"""J""" #J"""J""" 2J"""J""" 1J"""J""" "

2" "4 -" 4 2" "6 -" $ 2" "9 -1 " 2" 1" -1 1 2" "2 -" # 2" "# -" 4 2" "4 -" 5 2" "5 -" 6 2" "$ -" 9 2" 11 -1 2
# 81 #

-i"ure 23 , South >oreaH evolution of skier visits

.tarting at t(e :eginning of t(e 2"""Es, atten3an'e re'or3s gre* stea3il2 t(roug( 2""$& .in'e t(en s1ier visits (ave flattene3 to aroun3 5&4 million ,er 2ear, an3 in s,ite of several ne* (ig(-Fualit2 resorts t(at (ave o,ene3 in re'ent 2ears& )t *as ex,e'te3 t(at t(is *oul3 stimulate 3eman3& .out( ?orea also ex,e'te3 an in'rease in foreign 'ustomers, :ooste3 :2 ,romotional efforts ma3e :2 t(e government& T(e reason for t(is stagnation mig(t (ave more to 3o *it( e'onomi' 'on3itions an3 a 3e,resse3 mar1et, :ot( nationall2 an3 in +sia2$& <it( t(e signifi'ant in'rease in su,,l2 in re'ent 2ears, some resorts (ave :een losing mar1et s(are as t(e mar1et (as :e'ome mu'( more 'om,etitive& )n lig(t of t(e (uge investments, some ma2 (ave to fig(t to survive in t(e s(ort term& 0ver t(e long term, 3eman3 s(oul3 'ontinue to gro*& T(e *inning :i3 for t(e 72eongC(ang 2"1$ <inter 0l2m,i' Games *ill 'ertainl2 'ontri:ute to an in'rease in t(e ,o,ularit2 of s1iing& -esorts ma2 loo1 for*ar3 to t(e ex'itement t(at t(is event *ill 'reate& <it( 2&4 million
2$

.out( ?orea is ma2:e t(e 'ountr2 *ere atten3an'e is t(e less 3e,en3ing on t(e 'limate& <it( a lot of sno*ma1ing an3 relativel2 'ol3 tem,eratures, sno* is nearl2 grante3& 9urt(ermore, ,art of t(e s1i 'onsum,tion is 3one at nig(t, *it( little 'are a:out sunn2 s12&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1#

s1iers for a ,o,ulation of more t(an 4$ million in(a:itants, in ot(er *or3s a ,arti'i,ation rate of a:out 4K, t(e ,otential for t(e ?orean mar1et is still ,artiall2 unta,,e3 an3 3eman3 s(oul3 gro*& )n a33ition, t(e (ig(-Fualit2 eFui,ment at ?orean s1i 3estinations, meeting t(e (ig( international stan3ar3, offers an attra'tive alternative to 8uro,ean resorts for s1iers t(roug(out t(e entire +sian 'ontinent& 7ri'es are also more attra'tive t(an in Ba,an, an3 ?orean s1i areas offer a great 3eal of fun, *it( several s1i resorts o,erating t(eir lifts nearl2 roun3 t(e 'lo'1& T(e s1i season is ,e'uliar in ?orea& )t is relativel2 s(ort, :ut ver2 3ense& T(e s'(ool 2ear mat'(es t(e 'alen3ar 2ear, so stu3ents (ave t(eir annual (oli3a2s in Ge'em:er an3 Banuar2, *(i'( is follo*e3 :2 mi3-9e:ruar2 an3 s,ring (oli3a2s& T(e s1i season :egins in late =ovem:er / earl2 Ge'em:er an3 en3s in Mar'(, :ut (as virtuall2 no lag time&

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 82 #

Various

Lesotho
.urroun3e3 entirel2 :2 .out( +fri'a, 55K of Aesot(oEs lan3 area is mountainous& )ts lo*est elevation is 1E""" meters a:ove sea level, an3 t(e (ig(est ,ea1 is #E5"" meters& <it( some natural sno*fall, t(e 'ountr2 almost :rings toget(er all t(e 'riteria ne'essar2 to o,erate a su''essful s1i resort& T(is *as enoug( to motivate a fe* entre,reneurs to start +fris1i Mountain -esort& )t is lo'ate3 in t(e ari3 Ma(lasela Dalle2, #E222 meters a:ove sea level, in t(e Gra1ens:urg-Maluti Moutains& T(e s1i area features a 1 1ilometer long T-:ar as *ell as 2 :eginner lifts an3 a magi' 'ar,et for 1i3s an3 :eginners& T(e resort is not al*a2s 'overe3 *it( natural sno* 3uring t(e *inter mont(s& )n general, sno* falls # to 4 times ,er *inter season, :ut is Fuite un,re3i'ta:le: it 'an sno* 1" out of 12 mont(s a 2ear at t(e resortEs altitu3e& T(e s1i area is eFui,,e3 *it( a sno*ma1ing s2stem, *(i'( guarantees s1iing from Bune to t(e :eginning of .e,tem:er& T(e s1i area is far from an2 ur:an area& T(e nearest 'it2 is lo'ate3 11" 1ilometers a*a2, an3 it ta1es four-an3-a-(alf (ours to 3rive t(ere from Bo(annes:urg, .out( +fri'a& T(e s1i area offers *inter an3 summer a'tivities& Darious '(alets an3 grou, a''ommo3ations ,rovi3e for 24" :e3s at t(e resort& .in'e +fris1i is an allian'e of in3ivi3ual 'om,anies an3 ,rivate (omeo*ners t(at *or1 in 'oo,eration *it( ea'( ot(er, similar to a 8uro,ean s1i resort, t(ere is a 'entral :oo1ing offi'e t(at servi'es t(e rooms availa:le at t(e resort& <inter an3 summer a'tivities, in'lu3ing eFui,ment rental an3 meals, 'an also :e :oo1e3 t(roug( t(is agen'2& T(e s1i area (osts aroun3 12E""" s1iers ,er season, *it( a goo3 ,ortion of t(em :eing foreign visitors& 9"K are .out( +fri'ans, *(o 'ome u, ,rimaril2 from Bo(annes:urg& T(ere are also s1iers *(o travel from fart(er a*a2, su'( as Germans, t(e Gut'( an3 =ort( +meri'ans&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 83 #

South *fri%a
T(e 'ountr2 (as onl2 one single 'ommer'ial s1i resort, even if it is ,ossi:le to s1i in 3ifferent areas in t(e mountains& Ao'ate3 near t(e :or3er *it( Aesot(o, on t(e (ig(est mountain in t(e region, @en M'G(ui 7ea1, t(e Tiffin3ell s1i area to,s out at 2J62" meters elevation& @uilt in 199#, it *as originall2 a single s1i run& +n area for :eginners *as su:seFuentl2 3evelo,e3 in a33ition to t(e main trail an3 lift& Ca,a'it2 is limite3 to #"" ,eo,le ,er 3a2& .u:stantial investment *as ma3e in t(e 2"""Es to renovate t(e :ar, to in'rease t(e lengt( of t(e trail, to ,ur'(ase ne* eFui,ment for sno*ma1ing an3 to u,gra3e maintenan'e servi'es in or3er to im,rove its offering& +lt(oug( t(e lo'ation of t(e area on t(e sout(ern fa'e of @en M'G(ui 7ea1 re'eives enoug( natural sno*, t(e s1i area is eFui,,e3 *it( a sno*ma1ing s2stem t(at 'overs its 2&# (e'tares& )n a33ition to t(e infrastru'ture 3e3i'ate3 to s1iing, t(e area (as a sno*,ar1, s1i an3 sno*:oar3 instru'tors, an3 organi;es t(e .out( +fri'an s1iing an3 sno*:oar3ing C(am,ions(i,s ever2 2ear& Gail2 entertainment ,rograms are offere3 to '(il3ren an3 a3ults& Tiffin3ell also (as an attra'tive after-s1i s'ene, *it( mountain-t(eme3 :ars to relax after a 3a2 on t(e slo,es& T(e (otel offering is some*(at limite3, an3 t(e resortEs various 'ategor2 rooms, more or less luxurious, 'an onl2 a''ommo3ate 14$ guests& 7a'1ages t(at in'lu3e overnig(t sta2s, meals, an3 s1i eFui,ment rentals are availa:le& T(e s1i season exten3s from late Ma2 to earl2 .e,tem:er (.out(ern Hemis,(ere!& .1iing in .out( +fri'a is of 'ourse a 'om,letel2 3ifferent ex,erien'e t(an s1iing in 8uro,e& T(e num:er of runs an3 infrastru'ture is limite3, as is t(e sno* Fualit2& )n s,ite of su'( a limite3 offer, t(e 'ountr2 (as a s1i asso'iation& 9oun3e3 in 199", t(e .out( +fri'an =ational .1i +sso'iation is affiliate3 *it( t(e 9). an3 re'ogni;e3 as an offi'ial organi;ation for ever2t(ing relating to s1iing in .out( +fri'a& )t serves to 'oor3inate an3 ,romote t(e 3evelo,ment of s1iing in t(e 'ountr2 an3 to garner :ot( national an3 international re'ognition& + s,e'ial effort is ma3e in or3er to learn t(e latest international te'(niFues&

Laurent Vanat

T(e resort *as s(ut 3o*n in 2"1" an3 ,ut u, for au'tion in t(e summer of 2"12& + ne* 'om,an2 a'Fuire3 t(e area an3 inten3s to restart o,erations&

Tiffin!ell Re#Openin" -or 2013 .out( +fri'aEs onl2 s1i area, Tiffin3ell (tiffin3ell&'o&;a!, is set to re-o,en& .out( +fri'aJs first trul2 'ommer'ial s1i 'enter o,ene3 2" 2ears ago, in 199#, t(an1s in large ,art to sno*ma1ing te'(nolog2 an3 a 3etermine3 an3 innovative

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 8& #

management team& T(ereEs aroun3 a 1ilometer of runs, serve3 :2 several surfa'e lifts, *it( a:out 1"" meters of verti'al 3ro, lo'ate3 :et*een 2E62" an3 2E$2" meters a:ove sea level& =atural sno*fall of u, to a meter in #5 (ours (as :een re'or3e3 in re'ent 2ears :ut t(e season stret'(ing from mi3-Ma2 (one of t(e earliest to o,en in t(e .out(ern Hemis,(ere! t(roug( mi3-.e,tem:er is largel2 3ue to t(e ever-im,roving sno*ma1ing s2stem& T(e 'urrent s2tem 'an ,ro3u'e a 2" 'entimeters 3ee, sno*,a'1 a'ross t(e 2&# (e'tare site in 24 (ours *(en 'on3itions are rig(t& T(e s1i area 3i3 not o,en in 2"11 or 2"12, re,orte3l2 3ue to finan'ial ,ro:lems of t(e ,revious o*ners, :ut last .e,tem:er lo'al :usinessman an3 s1ier Ae* Cam,:ell :oug(t t(e resort at an au'tion for 4&4 million -an3 (a:out G@7 4"","""!, vo*ing to restart resort o,erations, an3 reservations are no* o,en for t(e 'oming .out(ern Hemis,(ere 2"1# *inter season &

.our'e : .no*(unter

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 8' #

+on%lusion

=earl2 ever2*(ere, t(e in3ustr2 is fa'ing t(e '(allenge of generating long term gro*t(& )n man2 ,la'es, t(e mar1et is more t(an mature& T(e :a:2-:oomers re,resent t(e maHorit2 of ,arti'i,ants& T(is generation *ill ,rogressivel2 exit some of t(e mature mar1ets *it(out :eing a3eFuatel2 re,la'e3 :2 future generations *it( t(e same ent(usiasm for s1iing& T(e nee3 to stimulate t(e mar1et is extremel2 im,ortant an3 not al*a2s suffi'ientl2 a33resse3& +s alrea32 ex,erien'e3 :2 s1i areas t(at (ave :een a'tivel2 loo1ing for solutions, gaining ne* 'ustomers :2 attra'ting non-s1iers an3 'onverting t(em into lo2al ,arti'i,ants is far from a 3one 3eal& )t reFuires a signifi'ant effort to 'reate a situation t(at onl2 im,roves ver2 slo*l2& )nnovation an3 'ustomer relations(i, management is t(e 1e2& T(e first not onl2 'on'erns lifts (mu'( (as alrea32 :een 3one in t(is area!, :ut ever2t(ing t(at is relate3 to t(e mountain ex,erien'e, an3 in some 'ountries t(is starts *it( lo3ging& )t is 3iffi'ult to attra't 'lients for one *ee1 of *on3erful s1iing, using state-of-t(eart lifts, grooming an3 sno*ma1ing, if guests (ave to s,en3 t(e time t(e2 are not s1iing in su:stan3ar3 (otel rooms an3 restaurants& T(e ne*'omers to t(e in3ustr2 are often *ell integrate3 an3 'a,a:le of offering mo3ern fa'ilities for ever2 as,e't of t(e ,ro3u't, an3 are also fun ,la'es to va'ation& T(us, if tra3itional 3estinations still *ant to 'om,ete, t(e2 nee3 to manage Fualit2 for infrastru'ture, eFui,ment an3 servi'es t(roug(out t(e entire resort& C-M *ill (el, o,erators to 'losel2 monitor t(e nee3s an3 3esires of t(eir 'ustomers an3 to ,ut toget(er 'ustomi;e3 offers& )n t(is glo:ali;e3 *orl3, ever2one a,,re'iates ,ersonali;e3 servi'e& Te'(nolog2, an3 es,e'iall2 t(e )nternet, no* ma1es it ,ossi:le to offer one-sto, s(o,,ing *(ere 'lients are a:le to ta1e 'are of all t(eir nee3s& 8ven t(oug( t(e )nternet is a ,o*erful sales an3 ,romotion tool for t(e existing 'ustomer :ase, an3 even t(oug( most s1i areas re'ogni;e t(e nee3 to :e ,resent on so'ial net*or1s29, it (as faile3 u, to t(is ,oint as a tool to (el, gro* t(e glo:al s1i mar1et& T(ere (as sim,l2 :een a s*a, in t(e ,romotional '(annels& Mar1eting o,erations (ave '(ange3 some, :ut t(is (as not ena:le3 ne* mar1et 3evelo,ment& T(e )nternet 'ertainl2 (as its strengt(s, :ut t(e2 are 'urrentl2 limite3 an3 mitigate3 :2 its *ea1nesses&

Laurent Vanat

29

T(e *orl3Es most ,o,ular an3 *ell-1no*n s1i resorts are :arel2 a:le to attra't 1""J""" frien3s to t(eir fa'e:oo1 ,ages, even t(oug( t(e2 (ost over 1 million s1ier visits ,er 2earP

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 8( #

T(e *e: en(an'es 'ommuni'ation, fa'ilitates :oo1ings an3 travel arrangements, fa'ilitates 3ail2 ,a'1age sales an3 ma1es sno* 'on3itions more trans,arent for s1iers& T(e latter alrea32 ,resents some 3ra*:a'1s& @ot( 3ire't an3 in3ire't 'om,etition (as in'rease3, an3 (as :een en(an'e3 :2 t(e )nternet, as (as 'ommuni'ations& T(e *e: is itself a 'om,etitor, su'( as *(en 2oung ,eo,le '(oose to s,en3 time in front of t(eir s'reens instea3 of (ea3ing to t(e slo,esP T(e :enefits of t(e )nternet are also availa:le to all 'om,eting in3ustries& 9inall2, t(e *e: (as faile3 to ,rovi3e t(e a:ilit2 to rea'( non-s1iers on a massive s'ale an3 transform t(em into ent(usiasti' ,arti'i,antsI it 3oes not tea'( one to s1i nor (el, one to ,ra'ti'eP )n3e,en3ent from t(e ,otential :enefits t(at t(e in3ustr2 'an gain from t(e *e:, t(e 'ustomer ex,erien'e *ill onl2 :e 'om,lete *(en t(e virtual ,ur'(ase turns into a realit2& +t t(is stage, 'areful attention s(oul3 :e ,ai3 to maximi;e guest satisfa'tion& Vualit2 servi'es an3 (uman intera'tions are reFuire3 to trul2 ,ro3u'e an ex'e,tional 'ustomer eDperien%e& T(is (as :e'ome t(e realit2 in tourism an3 for s1i resorts as *ell& T(e ,otential for im,rovements still leaves t(e future *i3e o,en for t(ose ,la2ers in t(e in3ustr2 t(at 'learl2 un3erstan3 t(ese issues&

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 83 #

Sour%es an! a%knowle!"ments

+s 'om,re(ensive information is not availa:le glo:all2 for t(e in3ustr2, an3 even Fuite ,oor for some 'ountries, t(e ,resent re,ort 'om,ile3 3ata from numerous sour'es& Darious attem,ts (ave alrea32 :een ma3e to gat(er information a:out t(e in3ustr2 at an international level& >nfortunatel2, figures ,u:lis(e3 *ere often onl2 ,artiall2 'orre't& + lot of effort (as t(erefore :een fo'use3 on ,resenting t(e 3ata as a''uratel2 as ,ossi:le& T(e 3ata (as :een 'rosse3 '(e'1e3 numerous times& )f (o*ever a relia:le sour'e (as :een misse3 or t(e 3ata insuffi'ientl2 u,3ate3, t(e aut(or *oul3 ver2 mu'( a,,re'iate :eing informe3 for future referen'e& 7lease a33ress an2 'omments to van# atNvanat=%h & @esi3es t(e ,ersonal (istori'al 3ata:ase assem:le3 :2 t(e aut(or, an3 in a33ition to 'on3u'ting extensive *e: resear'(, t(e follo*ing sour'es of 3ata *ere use3:
-e,orts from national asso'iations: -M. (-emontMes MM'aniFues .uisses!, G.9 (Gomaines .1ia:les 3e 9ran'e!, =.++ (=ational .1i +reas +sso'iation!, 9a'(ver:an3 3er .eil:a(nen gsterrei'(s, +..V (+sso'iation 3es .tations 3e .1i 3u VuM:e'!, DG. (Der:an3 Geuts'(er .eil:a(nen un3 .'(le,,lifte!, +.++ (+ustralian .1i +rea +sso'iation!, +=89 (+sso'ia;ione =a;ionale 8ser'enti 9univari!, .H?O (9innis( .1i +rea +sso'iation!, .A+0 (.*e3is( .1i +rea +sso'iation!, an3 ot(ers 2""$-2""9 Cana3ian .1ier an3 .no*:oar3er 9a'ts an3 .tats +G+C .1i Gui3e 2"11 C(iffres 'lMs 3u tourisme 3e montagne, 6e M3ition, +T0>T 9ran'e C)+ 2""$ Oear:oo1 C=>C8G-annuaire statistiFue 2""9 Go,,elma2r, Aeitner an3 7oma, referen'e lists an3 annual re,orts 8tu3e +tu3em, :alan'e tem,ora3a 2""$-"9 8tu3e H8-M8. +oste 2""4 g1onomis'(e @e3eutung 3es al,inen <inters,orts in gsterrei'( ?ott1e re,orts -a,,ort -ollan3 .no* :usiness, .imon Hu3son .no* HunterEs <orl3 <ee1l2 .no* =e*s, .no*24 .tatistiFue 3es tMlM,(MriFues 0)T+9 2""9 .T-MTG Tourism +sso'iation of @osnia an3 Her;egovina Tourism Management 2"1" >=<T0 <orl3 Tourism @arometer <inters,ortanal2se in 8uro,a, Manova, 0'to:re 2"1"

Laurent Vanat

9urt(ermore, man2 t(an1s to @enn2 <u, C(risto,( .'(ra(e, C? Aee, 9ran'is'o Tron'oso, Gor3 +(rens, )vo Marinov, Melita Tsoutrelis, Miles Gavi3son, =ina Ain3ren, 7atri'1 T(orne, 7aul Mat(e*s an3 (is team from 8'osign, .i3 -oslun3, .2lvain +u3et, T(omas Cu1al an3 all

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 85 #

t(ose ) (ave not mentione3 *(o 'ontri:ute3 to an3 (el,e3 in gat(ering information& T(an1 2ou as *ell to GMral3 )mfel3, t(e )nternational Tourism .2m,osium, H8.-.0 Dalais an3 t(e 8'ole .uisse 3e Tourisme for t(eir initial su,,ort for t(e ,roHe't& 9inall2, Garin -eisman s(oul3 also :e mentione3 an3 t(an1e3 for (is ,roof rea3ing of t(e 2"1# issue&

4hotos: Aaurent Danat an3 'ourtes2 of Melita Tsoutrelis

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 88 #

Laurent Vanat 18H Mar"elle +. # 122& )eneva Swit@erlan! Tel 0 faD 0 voi%email, O&122 3&8 5&&0 :#mail, vanatNvanat=%h <e$site, www=vanat=%h

Laurent Vanat

2"1# )nternational -e,ort on .no* / Mountain Tourism - 0vervie* of t(e 1e2 in3ustr2 figures for s1i resorts +,ril 2"1# # 100 #