Is The 4 Valleys Lift Pass No More?
Is The 4 Valleys Lift Pass No More?
Published : 12-Jul-2014 09:03
A rift between the different lift operators in the Swiss 4 Valleys, the most famous resort member of which is Verbier, means that the 4 Valleys pass has been withdrawn for the coming season.
We have been here before. There have been long running revenue disputes between the lift operators of the different sectors which, around a decade ago, led to similar threats which dissolved before the ski season began and the 4 Valleys operated as normal.
It is so far unclear whether the situation this time is more serious, but local media have been reporting that no agreement has been reached on crucial decision days which have now passed. It may be a case of brinksmanship.
Although they have not been specified in detail, the disagreement seems to centre on revenue sharing between the different lift companies involved.
The demise of the 4 Valleys ticket will have implications for those who own property or holiday in Nendaz at a much lower cost than doing so in Verbier, while having access to Verbier's extensive off piste terrain.
Similarly those who stay in Verbier but prefer to ski on the more pisted terrain around Nendaz will be disadvantaged.
In either case it seems likely that anyone concerned will have to buy two passes, or possibly a daily extension, or drive to/from the other area before accessing the lifts.
Although the size of the 4 Valleys is disputed by some independent cartographers, its marketing department claim that with 400km of linked terrain, it is Switzerland's largest linked ski area, but in future you may need two lift passes to ski all of it.
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