First ski resorts open in Czechia, with high hopes for a good season
The ski season in Czechia officially kicked off this past weekend, with a number of winter resorts welcoming their first visitors. After last year’s disappointing season and the ongoing challenges of climate change, how are Czech ski resorts faring? And is skiing in Czechia sustainable in the long run?
The transition from November to December traditionally marks the start of the ski season in Czechia, and this year is no exception. Thanks to significant snowfall in the mountain regions over the past few days, combined with freezing temperatures that made artificial snow production possible, several northern ski resorts have already opened their slopes to visitors.
According to Libor Knot from the country’s Association of Mountain Resorts, two-thirds of Czech ski resorts are maintaining last year’s ski pass prices. This winter, passes will range from CZK 750 to CZK 1,000 per person on average—about half the cost of passes in Alpine resorts. However, affordable prices is not the only advantage Czech ski resorts can offer, says Mr. Knot:
“The biggest advantage of the Czech resorts is their accessibility. Every citizen has mountains within an hour or two hours’ drive from their home. In fact, the ratio of those who go to the Alps and those who stay here remains the same. For beginners and for children, the price/performance ratio in the Czech resorts is still very attractive. Sport skiers or people who have a week to spare will probably prefer the Alps, but that’s the way it has always been.”
Recent years have seen warm and unpredictable weather forcing some operators to shut down due to declining visitor numbers and mounting debt. Despite these challenges, Knot remains optimistic about the industry’s future:
“The last five seasons, starting with Covid, through energy and inflation crises, have not been good economically, but most ski resorts are still operating. That’s because ski slopes are the driving force behind the mountain resorts, without which the other services would not function. It is well-known that one crown spent in a ski resort is seven crowns in downstream services such as catering and accommodation, and so it’s still worthwhile for the regions to run them.”
Addressing concerns about artificial snow's environmental impact, Knot argues that it is essential for sustaining resorts and the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on them. Another source of his optimism is the Czechs’ enduring love of skiing:
“Czechs are a nation of skiers. Skiing has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. About 25 percent of Czechs ski, which is 13th in the world by global comparison. And we are also in 15th place in the number of ski days. All it takes is a little bit of good weather and the Czech mountains are full.”
According to the latest forecast, Czechs have reason to rejoice, with more fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures predicted for this week, at least at higher elevations.
