How Much Does It Cost To Run A Ski Resort? [Fact Checked!]


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People love to ski. The exhilaration of sliding down a pristine white snow-covered slope, winding down in a chairlift village, and gazing out at the majestic mountains is enough to make anyone smile. Add the opportunity to socialise with friends, and you’ve got yourself one happy individual.

For those who love to hit the slopes, the question of how much does it cost to run a ski resort frequently comes up. This article will explore the various costs that make up the running of a ski resort, including labour, fuel, and maintenances.

The Economics Of Running A Ski Resort

The skiing industry is a multi-billion-dollar one, and it’s growing. Between 2016 and 2021, the market size is projected to grow by 4% annually.

Skiing is a luxury sport, so even the biggest resorts charge high-end prices for their services. Most ski resorts make their money through day passes and accommodation fees, with the bulk of their revenue coming from the lift ticket.

Therefore, whether you’re planning on paying for your own skis or going on a holiday with your family, you’ll need to find the cash to cover the cost of your ski pass.

The Operating Costs Of A Resort

There are several costs associated with running a ski resort that a business owner needs to take into consideration. First of all, there’s the basic cost of hiring competent staff to maintain the highest quality of service. Even smaller resorts tend to have around 10 or more snow plough drivers, ski patrol officers, and other employees whose sole job is to ensure the safety of those who visit their facilities.

These employees need to be paid, which results in an operating cost. The bigger the resort, the higher these costs will be. It’s no secret that resort administration is costly; the owner of a large ski operation will need to employ several people to take care of the day-to-day running of the resort. This includes ordering food and drinks for the staff and the visitors, paying the ski instructor’s salary, and other miscellaneous costs.

Lift Ticket Costs

One of the most significant costs associated with a ski resort is the cost of the lift ticket. As we mentioned above, the bulk of a ski resort’s revenue comes from the lift ticket. This is because most people are not going to buy expensive equipment and hire expert guides to teach them how to ski, if it’s cheaper to just buy a pass and hit the slopes.

The cost of a single lift ticket can vary from ยฃ33 to ยฃ47 at smaller resorts, to ยฃ67 and ยฃ87 at larger ones, with the average being around ยฃ50.

Fuel Costs

Another significant cost associated with a ski resort is the cost of the fuel. If you’re driving your own car to the resort, you’ll need to consider the cost of the fuel. This will depend on the type of fuel you’re using, but it’s generally around ยฃ6 a day, whether you car is fuelled by petrol or diesel. There is also the cost of the meal packages, or resort charges, which we discussed above.

Maintenance

Last but not least, we have the cost of the maintenance. If you’ve ever been to a ski resort, you’ll know that the snow is a major issue. The snow melts and washes away, leaving potholes and other types of surfaces for the resort to deal with. This means that they need to be regularly cleared and salted, which is costly and time-consuming.

These costs need to be factored in, especially if you’re planning on staying at a luxury resort and eating at the finest restaurants. If you want to keep your slopes looking pristine, you’ll need to foot the bill for these costs yourself, as a business owner.

The cost of maintaining a top-class ski resort can range from ยฃ350,000 to ยฃ500,000 a year. The bigger the resort, the higher these costs will be. A larger resort will need to invest heavily in snow making equipment and more snow guns to combat the harsh weather conditions that can cause havoc to small businesses and individual skiers alike.

So, to recap, the cost of running a ski resort is relatively high. Nevertheless, it’s a great way to make a bit of extra cash, and for those who do it right, it can be a very lucrative business. If you’re thinking of starting up your own ski resort, you need to consider the various costs that make it run.

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