Switzerland | Developing Tools to Help its Winter Tourism Sector and Adapt to Climate Change

Switzerland is developing strategic tools to help its winter tourism sector and adapt to climate change, which includes creating scenarios to plan for changing snow condition. 

These efforts involve collaboration between organizations include Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Cableways and MeteoSwiss, and a focus on a range of adaptation strategies, from increasing snowmaking investments to shifting towards year - round tourism models that leverage natural and cultural assets. 

The goal is to manage risks and ensure the long - term viability of alpine tourism despite diminishing snow reliability.  

The Swiss organizations launched “Boussole neige” (Snow Compass), a set of tools to help ski resorts for the future amidst climate change.  

The platform uses climate and snow data to forecast snow reliability and snowmaking potential for 23 mountain regions, and backed by scientific data it allows stakeholders to assess climate impacts and implement targeted adaption strategies.

 Key features and purpose of Boussole neige : 

•    Main goal : The primary goal is to help mountain destinations plan for the future as they face the impacts of climate change. 
•    Forecast snow reliability: The models predict low reliable snow conditions will be in different regions. 
•    Evaluate snowmaking potential : The tools assess the potential for artificial snow production at various locations.
•    Uses scientific data : It is built on data from the Federal Office of Metereology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) and developed by the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SFL) with support from ETH Zurich.
•    Assists stakeholders: It is designed top be used by ski resorts, mountain railways, hotels, and other winter tourism businesses. 
•    Positive reception: the tools have been well – received by resorts, according to the director of the Swiss Cable Car Association. 

Boussole neige combines natural and artificial snow scenarios across 280 measurement stations and evaluates each destination’s dependence on snow. The Snow Compass offers actionable strategies, already scientifically validated and in use in several Swiss regions.

 Winter sports vacation are not disappearing, they are evolving. Switzerland still boasts natural advantages, but destinations must navigate uncertainty and shorter snow season at lower altitudes. Adaptation requires foresitght : reorganizing offerings, making strategic investments, and differentiating positions in the market. 

 The Snow Compass identifies three broad strategies, all observable in practice today:

Strategy A - Double Dowjn on Winter Sport  : Destinations at higher altitudes are reinforcing their winter offerings with innovative infrastructure and technology, rather than just maintaining the status quo :

 •    Slopes preparation :  Optimized piste preparation (Examples are in Davos and Pizol ) 
•    Expanded artificial snow system : Using advanced technology and sustainable water management.
•    Alternative terrain use : Prioritizing north - facing slopes and clustering the most snow reliable areas (Flumserberg; SG, Sörenberg, LU).
•    Interrregional partnerships :  Establishing collaborations with AlpsPass, Magic Pass, Arosa – Lenzerheide (GR). 
•    High - altitude accommodations : Whitepods (Monthey, VS) offers eco - luxury lodges at 1.400 metres, blending sustainability with soft – snow experiences, like sledding and hiking. Frutt Mountain Resort (Melchsee – Frutt, OW), situated above 1.900 metres, transformed a day – trip site into a full – fledged winter resort, appealing to families and high – end visitors alike. 

These examples show that accessibility, infrastructure quality, and clear positioning are key to long - term success in winter sports tourism. 

Stategy B - Adapt to Uncertain Snow Conditions : Other regions are reinventing winter tourism beyond skiing, offering activities and experiences that attract visitors even in low – snow year : 

•    Fatbiking, snowtubing, panoramic sledding (Villars, Leysin, Atzmännig) .
•    Wellness and thermal experiences (Bains de la Gruyère, Leukerbad). 
•    Cultural events and festivals (Arosa Humorfestival, Caprices in  Crans – Montana).
•    Targeting international markets seeking a “touch of snow” (For example Brazil, which saw a 25% increase in mountain – region overnight stays in winter 2024 – 2025) 
•    Leveraging sunshine and scenic high - altitude landscapes above fog (Rigi, Säntis, Stockhorn).

Such strategies also help fill hotels outside peak winter periods, boosting overall occupancy. 

Strategy C - Focus on Other Seasons : Some resorts diversify to offset potential winter declines : 

•    Charmey (FR) repositioned as a four – season destination, opening a 2.5 km slide park that draws visitors year – round. 
•    Sattel – Hochsuckli (SZ) shifted from unreliable low - altitude ski operations to family – focused summer and autumn offerings, now generating more revenue in summer than winter. 
•    Moléson (FR) invests in health, nature, and biking trails to attract visitors across all seasons.

 This approach highlights that the future of mountain tourism in Switzerland relies not only snow but on innovation, differentiation, and long - term vision. 

Link 
https://www.travelmole.com/news/switzerland-winter-tourism-climate-change/