SAM Magazine-Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 17, 2009-Favorable weather on weekends and holidays trumped the economic slowdown in Europe for Swiss resorts last season, as they reported a 2.2 percent gain in visits from the year prior, and 7.3 percent compared to the previous four seasons. Total skier visits reached 29.3 million. Visitation was up primarily at the mid-altitude areas, which suffer more when snow is lean but thrive in good snow years. Overall, though the listed prices for lift tickets rose by nearly 3 percent, average ticket prices declined marginally from the previous year.

Figures on Swiss skier visits were compiled by independent cosultant Laurent Vanat for the sixth year, and are based on data from more than 80 percent of the Swiss resort industry.

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