Major Swiss ski destinations including AnzĂšre and Verbier break visitor records during 2024-25 winter season opening, with some areas reporting best December figures ever.
"The best ever."
"Itâs the best December weâve ever had."
The 2019 record didn't just fall; it was obliterated. Swiss ski resorts have emerged from the holiday season with staggering numbers that signal a definitive boom in winter tourism. Driven by a perfect storm of brilliant sunshine and fresh powder, domestic and international visitors flocked to the mountains in unprecedented waves.
Nowhere is this surge more evident than in AnzĂšre. TĂ©lĂ© AnzĂšre President SĂ©bastien Travelletti did not mince words, declaring the festive season "the best ever." The resort's previous daily admission ceiling of 5,723âset in 2019âwas smashed not once, but twice between Christmas and New Year. This isn't just a recovery; it is a dominance of the winter sports market. While the early season saw a slow start, the holiday momentum has been unstoppable, proving that the allure of the Swiss Alps remains an economic powerhouse capable of defying expectations.
In the canton of Valais, the numbers tell a story of overwhelming success. Verbier, a titan of the industry, saw more than 20,000 skiers hit its slopes every single day during the festive period. This massive influx represents a critical injection of capital and vitality into the local economy.
Similarly, the Grimentz-Zinal area is celebrating a historic performance. Director Pascal Bourquin confirmed the trend, stating flatly, "Itâs the best December weâve ever had." These aren't marginal gains; they are significant leaps in attendance. Valais Wallis Promotion is now projecting a 1% increase in overnight stays over last yearâwhich was itself a record-breaking season. Spokesperson Roger Brunner attributes this surge in short-term bookings to exceptional weather conditions, proving that when the sun shines on the Valais, the tourists follow in droves.
While the lowlands grappled with persistent, gloomy fog, the Vaud Alps basked in constant sunshine, creating a migration of Swiss locals desperate for Vitamin D and adrenaline. The conditions were nothing short of perfect, and the attendance figures reflect that reality.
Villars-Gryon-Diableret lift manager Martin Deburaux reported that visitor numbers have surpassed last year's figures, which were already considered a high-water mark for the region. "Visitor numbers are higher than last year, which was already a record year for the Christmas period," Deburaux noted. This domestic exodus from the grey plateau to the sunny peaks underscores a vital trend: the Swiss domestic market remains a robust pillar of the winter economy, ready to mobilize instantly when conditions align.
Perhaps the most shocking success story comes from the lower altitudes, where resorts have been fighting an existential battle against climate change. Against all odds, Les TĂ©lĂ©skis aux PrĂ©s-dâOrvin above Biel reported a financial resurrection.
Chair Marc-André Léchot revealed a stunning statistic: "The number of vacation guests and sales have doubled compared with last season." By managing to stay open non-stop from December 24 to January 1, the resort has pulled itself out of the red after two years of losses. This is a critical lifeline for lower-altitude tourism. While Léchot remains realistic about the scarcity of snow in the long term, this season proves that when the snow does fall, the demand is explosive. It is a defiant victory for smaller resorts that refuse to be written off.