Switzerland has adorned itself with a thick white coat, transforming its landscapes into real postcards. These abundant and early snowfalls delight winter sports enthusiasts and tourism professionals.
In mountain regions like Villars, Gryon and Les Diablerets, in the canton of Vaud, professionals display a broad smile. Unlike previous years, cancellations are in sharp decline.
The season begins under the best auspices, a promising sign for the months to come. “When the season starts well, we can remain calm for the future,” confides a tourist manager in the 12:30 p.m.
>> Listen to the explanations in the 12:30 p.m.:
A breath of fresh air
In the canton of Fribourg, low and medium altitude resorts benefit from a real boost from nature.
After several difficult years marked by low snowfall and a dependence on snow cannons, the areas are this time fully reopening thanks to natural and long-awaited snow. This is the case at Moléson, Charmey, Jaun and even Paccots.
“These centimeters of fresh snow are a boon for the tourist economy of the Friborg Pre-Alps,” declares a cantonal tourism official.
Snow, the ultimate asset to seduce
In Valais, there is the same enthusiasm. Hoteliers, like Lara Berra, owner of a hotel in Champéry and co-president of the Valais Hotel Association, are delighted to see reservations pour in at the last minute. “A Christmas in the snow is a nice booster to fill the few remaining holes in our reservations,” she explains at 12:30 p.m. on RTS.
For Swiss holidaymakers, fresh snow is often a decisive trigger. “We are seeing that more and more customers are waiting to know the weather before booking, especially those located less than half a day’s drive away. This represents 20% of our customers,” she adds. In the canton of Fribourg, 80% of visitors are day trippers who plan their outing according to the snow conditions.
The Jura Arc, finally under their white coat
The resorts of the Jura Arc also celebrate this heavenly manna. In Bugnenets-Savagnières, the opening of the slopes was welcomed with fervor by impatient skiers. Vincent and Céline, among the first to go through the turnstiles, recount their excitement in the 12:45 broadcast of RTS: “It's more important than Christmas dinner. We absolutely wanted to be there to enjoy the powder.”
These idyllic conditions, unprecedented for four seasons, allow the resort to fully launch its domain. The hard work of the groomers, mobilized from dawn to compact the snow cover, made it possible to offer perfectly prepared slopes. “We have worked tirelessly to guarantee top slopes for our customers,” says Thierry Gerber, groomer at the area.
>> See also the report in the 12:45 p.m.:
Promising prospects
With sunny weather forecast in the coming days, Swiss resorts hope to capitalize on this enthusiasm. Serge Rohrer, member of the board of directors of Bugnenets-Savagnières, remains optimistic: “If we spend the holidays with the current snow, the season will be saved.”
In a context where low altitude resorts are struggling to survive, these exceptional conditions represent a real breath of fresh air for the entire tourist economy of the Swiss mountains.
Radio and TV subject: Virginie Langerock and Daniel Bachmann
Web adaptation: Valentin Jordil
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