The Economic Sustainability of Snow Tourism: The Case of Ski Resorts in Austria, France, and Italy

Jordi Moreno-Gené, Laura Sánchez-Pulido, Eduard Cristobal-Fransi and Natalia Daries
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Jordi Moreno-Gené: Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Laura Sánchez-Pulido: Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Eduard Cristobal-Fransi: Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Natalia Daries: Department of Business Management, University of Lleida, C/Jaume II, 73, 25001 Lleida, Spain

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to analyse whether ski resorts in Europe are economically viable. Data originates from the financial statements of the 61 largest ski lift operators in Austria, France, and Italy. Descriptive statistics reveal that these operators are characterized by positive and relatively high returns, and by having little debt in general terms. The results show that the most economically profitable ski operators are also the largest. The elevation of the ski area is not relevant. Ski lift operators in Austria have a higher profitability than those in France and Italy. Overall, larger ski resorts are better prepared for the future investment needed to adapt to the new conditions in the industry, such as climate variability.

Keywords: tourism; snow; economic sustainability; skiing; profitability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3012-:d:165604

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