An annual study of lift ticket prices from more than 600 ski areas in 40 countries worldwide has provided some statistics to back up trends most skiers have been aware of throughout the season.

The findings are published in the eighth edition of the World Ski Lift Ticket Price Report (2009) which converts six-day, high-season ticket prices published in 20 different currencies in to US dollars, European Euros and British pounds to allow for international comparison.

The Study found huge fluctuations in cost depending on where the skier lived and to which country they were travelling, compared to last year.

The change in price depending on where you live was reflected in the world average price, which for people in the Euro-zone increased by 4.9% from 174.33 to 182.90 Euros but for US citizens decreased by 8.5% from 258.00 to 236.00 Dollars. Brits fared the worst with six-day ticket costs up on average from £130.75 to £168.98 because of the weak pound – an increase of nearly 30% on average.

The price changes of course reflect currency fluctuations rather than price increases in resort and vary according to destination with prices to most European nations and Canada lower than to Japan, Switzerland and the US due to the strong Yen, Franc and Dollar.

After five or six years of a weakening US Dollar, Swiss Franc and a longer period of a weak Yen, the changes seem to indicate, for the time being at least, a return to cost differentials in the 1990s when the US was clearly the most expensive in the world and Switzerland the most expensive in Europe.

But it’s not that simple. Although Swiss headline prices are high, families may find skiing there cheaper than elsewhere in Europe because the country has the most generous child discounts with free places at many resorts until children are aged 8 or 9 (compared to 4 or 5 elsewhere) and then 50% off until aged 16 or 18 (a third off to 11 or 12 and full adult price from 12 or 13 elsewhere).

Similarly, although US headline prices are high, most resorts offer very flexible prices with much lower prices outside peak periods and further discounts for online, advance or package purchases.

That said, Report findings included 8 of the world’s top ten most expensive tickets are offered by ski resorts in Colorado, and 19 out of 20 were in the US.

Deer Valley in Utah sold the world’s first $600+ ticket ($602) for Xmas/New Year week this season.

An average six day US resort peak-season lift ticket cost of $408 is exactly double the average French ski resort peak season cost of $204 dollars.

The Matterhorn Ski Paradise which links Zermatt in Switzerland and Cervinia in Italy has leapt back up to the position it held six year’s ago as Europe’s most expensive at about £255 for six days, although the previous title holder, the French Mont Blanc regional pass that includes Chamonix and a dozen other passes at £230 for adults remains the more expensive for children.

The tiny principality of Andorra, once famous as a budget destination, now has Europe’s highest average lift ticket price at $245.

The lowest priced six day pass in the world was found at Iran’s Tochal ski area near Tehran with a $51 cost.

The weak British pound means skiing in Scotland is currently 20% cheaper for Americans.

On the upside for Brits, the Australian and New Zealand dollars are doing even worse than the pound meaning skiing in the southern hemisphere this year is the best value it has been for many years with prices down 10-15% on average.

Spain’s leading resort, Sierra Nevada, will offer half price ski tickets after the Easter holidays and have announced that the season will last for an extra fortnight to at least mid-May because of all the snow.

The resort, Europe’s most southerly, currently has five metres (17 feet) of snow on its slopes and 100km (63 miles) of piste open. The discounted lift pass will be available from April 20th to May 15th.

Other Spanish ski resorts are almost as well endowed and have between 170cm (six feet) and 260cm (12 feet) of snow.

Sunny Spring Skiing On Huge Snowbase To Last Longer As Resorts Extend Season

Although the snow falls are decreasing and in most cases temperatures are rising as Spring nears, there have still been significant snowfalls in many ski areas over the past seven days. These continue to top up huge bases which will allow many ski areas to remain open in to May, should they wish.

Last Thursday and especially on Friday there were still big snowfalls in Austria with up to 70cm (28 inches) at the Tauplitzalm on Friday contributing to a total of 115cm – nearly four feet – in 7 days.
The Austrian snow falls continued on Saturday with the SkiWelt which received 50cm (20 inches) in 48 hours since.

In France there were snowfalls last Wednesday (11th March) with 30-40cm (12 – 16 inches) of snow at many resorts in the northern Alps including Chamonix, La Plagne and Val d’Isere. The French winter to date has been reported to be 1.2 degrees colder than usual and one of the three coldest of the past 20 years.

In Switzerland Disentis got 40cm (16 inches) of snow on Thursday and there were some smaller snowfalls on Friday. Andermatt is reporting the deepest snow in the country with a 460cm (Over 15 feet) base with Zermatt on 397cm (just over 13 feet), Engelberg on 385cm (just under 13 feet) and Saas Fee 353cm (just under 14 feet).

Italy has had a mostly sunny week with Courmayeur receiving the most snow – another 30cm (foot). Sella Nevea in the North East of the country has the most snow with 640cm (21 feet) on upper slopes . The warm weather is reported to have increased the avalanche risk.

Spain has also had sunny days and spring skiing conditions in Spain over the past week. Sierra Nevada will offer half price ski tickets after the Easter holidays and have announced that the season will last for an extra fortnight to at least mid-May because of all the snow. The resort, Europe’s most southerly, currently has five metres (17 feet) of snow on its slopes and 100km (63 miles) of piste open. Other Spanish ski resorts are almost as well endowed and have between 170cm (six feet) and 260cm (12 feet) of snow.

In Andorra on the French Pyrenees there have been similar dry sunny conditions with skiers enjoying the deep snow bases across the southern European mountain range. Cauterets in the French Pyrenees has the greatest snow depth in France with 480cm (16 feet) on upper slopes.

In Eastern Europe snow conditions are holding up with cooler weather on this side of the continent. Bulgaria’s three major resorts have had small snowfalls over the past week and expect up to 15cm (six inches) more by the weekend. Bansko has the most snow accumulated with 240cm (8 feet) on upper slopes. At Borovets its 210cm (7 feet) and in Pamporovo 90cm (three feet).

In North America, Canada’s Alberta and British Columbia are reporting some of the greatest snow accumulations of the past week. With resorts like Sunshine and Whistler open in to May this is good news for superb Spring skiing conditions. Whistler reported 77cm (over 2.5 feet) of fresh snow at mid-mountain level over the past seven days including 18c