We were in Austria last week and Hintertux and Stubai Glaciers are now something like €59 a day, with a half day (after 13.30) offered at only about €15 less.
I know that everything increases in price but, in my mind at least, lift passes have always seemed more affordable than they are now. €300 and more for a six day pass at big ski areas suddenly feels very expensive.
At the risk of sounding like my mother ....I remember paying about £50 for a six day Ziller Valley pass in December 1988. Was that really the equivalent of paying €300 now
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
You could also buy houses on an average wage back then. Life moves on.
I think it feels better to work it out at an hourly rate then its more comparable to other sports services etc.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Nadenoodlee wrote:
I think it feels better to work it out at an hourly rate then its more comparable to other sports services etc.
lift passes have always seemed more affordable than they are now
Lift passes have never seemed affordable to me - the first time we went on a family ski holiday, with three kids, I had to screw my courage to the sticking place to hand over my credit card (or was it travellers cheques...?) to buy the lift passes. I was once about to press the button on a "bargain" last minute holiday to the USA. 10 days at a good price, for the two of us. Then I checked lift pass prices..... We settled for a low cost, low key, self drive to France instead.
And ended up buying an apartment! But that did mean the "cost per hour" of our skiing dropped dramatically.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
In U.K. terms, that’s about double the cost. £300 now is about equivalent to £110 in 1988.
Even worse in the eurozone. €300 was worth “€”170 in 1991
After all it is free
After all it is free
Quote:
You could also buy houses on an average wage back then
Still can (and some very nice ones too!) in various parts of the country
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
Lift passes have never seemed affordable to me
This.
When I finally earned enough to afford to visit the Alps, the sticker-shock of the pass price scarred me for life.
These days they seem dirt cheap.
It's like Icelandic beer though - there is no point whatsoever in even translating the cost, because
you're either going to have a beer or you're not. Not skiing is always going to cost less than skiing.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@mountainaddict, gosh thats a very interesting statement. Do you work for the Tory party?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Nadenoodlee wrote:
@mountainaddict, gosh thats a very interesting statement. Do you work for the Tory party?
lots of places you can still buy 3 bedroom house for under £95000
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I've just pulled out a lift pass from Les Menuires so genuinely can't remember if it was the 3V or just the one valley from April 1987 - 345 francs. No idea what that would be now!
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:
mountainaddict, gosh thats a very interesting statement. Do you work for the Tory party?
I nearly choked on my afternoon Pimms when I read that!
We digress from snowsports but just a few examples of available properties within a 15 or 20 mile radius of me. It is indeed, as they say, grim up north if you are on the UK average salary of £31,460 PA
Or for those after something cheaper, or maybe fancying a spot of DIY:
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Here is a great website where you can find historical values based on different factors:
Don’t forget that resorts have many more lifts and facilities than in previous years — inc piste bashers, snow making, avalanche control, more pistes, road access etc.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@mountainaddict, there was an article on this today on unoffical networks:
@Mr.Egg, and what is the average salary for those living in those areas?
Schroeders says Scotland has the lowest ratio at 4.6 x average salary to house price.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 15-11-21 19:15; edited 1 time in total
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
31,460? Gosh.
All those fine properties and ‘booming salaries’ and yet the prices are so low. Even with a housing rush on. Intriguing. Granted your food scene looks good (Hairy Bikers) but whats the catch? Other than being up north and the horror of drinking Pimms in November?
On a side note - the unofficial networks article did bring up the issue of PE firms buying up American ski resorts which has likely led in part to ski pass and ski property in the vicinity rising.
My Jan 1993 3v pass was 960ff. (About £113) for 6 days. I think that's just under £200 today allowing for UK inflation. Today's price is €330 or about £280. Not sure about inflation in the euro zone but the price does seem higher.
@mountainaddict, Bank of England inflation calculator says £50 in 88 worth £137 in 2020.
So we’ll above inflation if you are correct. I assume a lot more faster lifts have been put in which requires investment possibly not envisaged in 88
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hardly surprising if the increase over 40 years exceed inflation when you consider the vast difference in the lift technology between 1980s and now. Likewise artifical snow making and the inevitable increases caused by the march of "elf & safety" requirements.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@twoodwar, and snowmaking!
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
but whats the catch? Other than being up north and the horror of drinking Pimms in November?
No catch:
- Real snow skiing within an hour's drive.
- Beautiful national parks (x4) for hiking and biking within 20-90 mins drive.
- Lovely beaches and coast just as close.
- Scottish ski areas within striking distance.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
....I remember paying about £50 for a six day Ziller Valley pass in December 1988. Was that really the equivalent of paying €300 now 
We settled for a low cost, low key, self drive to France instead.
