A SEASON HAS 20 DAYS. That's how you could calculate the calculation for season tickets. When most people think of these tickets, they think of locals who use their local lift whenever possible. Hardly any holidaymaker really calculates whether a season ticket would be worthwhile for their own skiing pleasure. This is especially true for larger families, because the discounts on season tickets are often more generous than on weekly passes. But who, apart from locals and owners of second homes, wants to spend every holiday and/or every ski weekend in the same place? No argument for ignoring season tickets!
CHANGED CONDITIONS can be seen this winter with the season tickets of the large-scale marketing associations, whose tickets allow fun on the slopes for the entire season in up to more than 100 locations. State borders are no longer a criterion, some of the areas are even internationally connected. But the number has fallen: we were only able to find a total of 25 cross-regional season tickets in Austria, some were included in larger offers. For example, the "Ybbstaler Alpen-Wintercard" in the new NÖ Bergerlebnispass, which includes ten winter sports areas in Lower Austria at a low price. All basic prices (without advance booking discounts!) and where they apply can be found in the tables below.
FOR ONE WEEK in the top areas, you get a full season in Lower Austria. In Austria, as in the entire Alpine region, American conditions are far from being the case. In Vail, an EPIC season pass, which is valid in over 40 areas, can pay for itself after just four days. Because a day pass can cost up to 300 euros. That's why it is only valid for a maximum of three days at EPIC partner Ski Arlberg. The same applies to Kitzbühel, a partner of the 50 ski areas gathered at IKON, for up to seven days. If you want to travel internationally, you could take a look at the global offers. The US system is based on the fact that in the ski resorts all additional income (food, ski school, rental, sometimes apartments) remains with the group, so that the tickets only make up a small part of the turnover. In addition, season passes are only particularly cheap if purchased well in advance.
ADVANCE SALES naturally reduce prices noticeably in Austria too. 20 percent discounts are not uncommon, and buying before the season often offers additional perks. In some cases, tickets are not seasonal, but year-round tickets, which can also be used in many ways in summer. All advance sales have one thing in common: they end before the lifts start operating, so everyone has to bear the "snow risk" themselves. There is no shortage of imaginative discounts on season tickets anyway. From the grandpa-grandchild pass to special rates for siblings, the focus is primarily on families. And financially weak younger adults.
NOTABLE INNOVATIONS for this season outside of Lower Austria can be found primarily in Upper Austria. Kasberg was suddenly alone, but has now been able to revive the "Snow & Fun Card" together with the other Upper Austrian regions. The "Schröcksnadel" ski area Hochficht is now also part of the powerful and expensive Superskicard.