Skiing is one of the most loved winter sports but, year after year, it is becoming more and more inaccessible. The latest investigation reveals this Altroconsumo which sampled 44 ski resorts in Italy and abroad, confirming what many snow enthusiasts already know: purchasing ski passes has become a luxury for a few.
An increasingly exclusive hobby
The panorama that emerges from the analysis is clear: there is an upward trend that shows no signs of stopping. This year the increases are around 4% for day tickets and 4.4% for five-day tickets. Numbers that may seem low on paper, but are not at all low when translated into actual spending for families.
The variability of costs in Italian locations is notable: they range from a minimum of 36 euros up to peaks of 86 euros for a single day. This means that for a family of three adults who want to spend a day on the slopes, the bill can reach 188 euros on average, with peaks of 260 euros in the most popular destinations. And these costs concern exclusively access to the facilities, therefore they do not consider accommodation, meals, equipment or ski courses.
It is worth specifying, however, that the survey considered the rates of the high season periods: Christmas, New Year, Carnival and public holidays.
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The Dolomites confirm the primacy of high prices
Trentino-Alto Adige confirms itself as the most expensive area in the country. Prestigious areas such as Val Gardena, Plan de Corones and Alta Badia have seen their prices rise to 80 euros for a day ticket. Even if the percentage increase does not appear dramatic, the problem lies in the starting point, in fact these are already very high rates that continue to grow.
Madonna di Campiglio records one of the most significant increases, rising to 85 euros with a jump of 7.6%, positioning itself among the most expensive Italian destinations. In Veneto, Cortina d’Ampezzo – which is preparing to host the Winter Olympics – reaches 80 euros, while the Dolomiti Superski circuit reaches 86 euros, achieving the national record.
North-West
Piedmont presents a fragmented scenario. While some locations such as Limone and Bardonecchia maintain stable prices (48 and 49 euros respectively), others record significant jumps. The most striking case is that of Alagna Valsesia, which with an increase of 13.1% goes from 54 to 61 euros, one of the most marked increases of the entire survey.
Similar situation in Lombardy, where the average stands at 5% but with strong local differences. Bormio shows moderation with an increase of 1.7%, while Livigno stands out in the negative with an increase of 10.1%, reaching 71 euros and placing itself among the most expensive Alpine resorts in Italy.
Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley region offers the widest range of possibilities. Champorcher, after four years of unchanged prices, makes a minimal adjustment reaching 36 euros, while still maintaining the title of cheapest location in the survey. At the other extreme, the international connection Cervinia-Zermatt reaches 87 euros (if purchased from the Italian side).
Intermediate options include Pila and La Thuile at 58 euros, Monterosa Ski at 61 euros and Cervinia-Valtournenche at 63 euros. Courmayeur, with 69 euros, confirms itself among the most exclusive destinations in the region.
Friuli and the Apennines
A positive note comes from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the only region where all the monitored locations maintain identical prices to last season: 44 euros in Piancavallo, Sella Nevea, Zoncolan and Tarvisio. A strategic choice to maintain competitiveness compared to the large Alpine areas.
On the Apennines the situation is mixed. Campo Felice and Roccaraso confirm the previous rates (43 and 58 euros), while Ovindoli makes a 10% leap reaching 46 euros, one of the sharpest increases in the Apennine ridge. Cimone (Sestola) rises to 55 euros with +5.8%.
Switzerland and France
If Italian prices appear high, Swiss ones reach unattainable heights. St. Moritz reaches 103 euros (+6.2%), but it is Zermatt that surprises with 106 euros and an increase of 13.1%. The Zermatt-Cervinia connection, purchased from the Swiss side, reaches 125 euros with an increase of 15 euros in one year (+13.2%), becoming the most expensive daily ski pass of the entire survey.
In France, Chamonix remains stable at 71 euros, while in Austria Villach and Nassfeld rise to 70 euros. Slovenia, with Kranjska Gora at 49 euros, confirms itself as a more accessible alternative.
And the five-day pass?
For those planning a skiing week, the multi-day pass offers an average discount of 12% compared to the purchase of five single tickets, with a saving of just over 40 euros per person. A modest advantage that requires an important consideration: the days are consecutive and without the possibility of refund. This means that skipping even just one day completely eliminates the convenience.
The price range is wide: ranging from 160 euros for Champorcher up to 469 euros for the Zermatt-Cervinia connection. In Italy, the most expensive options are Superskirama Dolomiti Adamello-Brenta (386 euros), Dolomiti Superski (380 euros) and Madonna di Campiglio (373 euros), while Livigno is close to 315 euros.
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There is no doubt that skiing is becoming an elite sport, increasingly distant from the economic possibilities of average families. The constant increases, even when contained in percentage, accumulate year after year on already high tariff bases, making the winter mountains now just a dream for many families.
For snow enthusiasts, it remains essential to compare offers, book in advance when possible and consider lesser-known but more accessible locations.
