{"id":1964650,"date":"2026-05-31T07:54:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T04:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1964650"},"modified":"2026-05-31T07:54:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T04:54:45","slug":"italian-study-finds-every-e1-spent-on-ski-lifts-generates-more-than-e8-for-local-economies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1964650","title":{"rendered":"Italian Study Finds: Every \u20ac1 Spent on Ski Lifts Generates More Than \u20ac8 for Local Economies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_389831\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-389831\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-389831 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGwAQMAAAADkUZQAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADlJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAdwOIsAAB8w58KwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"432\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?resize=640%2C432&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?resize=300%2C203&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?resize=1200%2C810&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?resize=768%2C518&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"432\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-389831\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1776-e1776820958732.jpg?resize=640%2C432&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"432\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-389831\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the most instagrammed peaks in the Dolomites: the Seceda. | Image: Julia Schneemann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_1 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Every euro spent directly with ski lift operators \u2014 on passes, ski school, and related services \u2014 generates more than eight euros in total local economic activity, according to a major new <a href=\"https:\/\/anef.ski\/notizie\/studio-pwc-anef-il-turismo-montano-moltiplicatore-di-investimenti-le-economie-locali\">study<\/a> by global consulting firm PwC, commissioned by <a href=\"https:\/\/anef.ski\/\">ANEF<\/a>, Italy\u2019s national association of ski lift operators. <\/strong>The report examined five major Italian Alpine ski regions: Valle d\u2019Aosta, Trentino, South Tyrol, Lombardy, and Veneto \u2014 all of which hosted events during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics \u2014 and together form the heart of Italy\u2019s ski industry.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Skiers Drive Local Economies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The study found that every \u20ac1 spent on lift passes, ski school lessons, and other services provided directly by lift operators generates:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More than \u20ac5 in local tourist spending<\/li>\n<li>More than \u20ac8 in total local economic activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>In other words, a lift ticket doesn\u2019t just pay for a ride up the mountain.<\/strong> It supports hotels, restaurants, rental shops, transportation providers, and countless other businesses that depend on winter tourism.<\/p>\n<p><strong>During the study period, \u20ac1.111 billion ($1,295 billion) in direct spending with lift operators generated:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u20ac5.576 billion ($6,5 billion) in total tourist spending<\/li>\n<li>\u20ac8.941 billion ($10.424 billion) in total economic turnover<\/li>\n<li>75,236 local jobs, both direct and indirect<\/li>\n<li>\u20ac548 million ($639 million) in local and regional tax revenue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The researchers calculated that each skier contributes an average of \u20ac15.50 ($18.07) in tax revenue per ski day \u2014 a significant and consistent source of funding for mountain communities.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_354235\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-354235\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-354235 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHiAQMAAABC1++sAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20JT6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgL8BmIIAAZNBcuwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"482\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?resize=640%2C482&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?resize=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?resize=768%2C579&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?resize=600%2C452&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"482\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-354235\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250307_143451358.MP_.jpg?resize=640%2C482&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"482\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-354235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. | Image: SnowBrains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Resorts Continue Investing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The study also highlighted how much ski operators reinvest back into the mountains.\u00a0<\/strong>In 2024 alone, lift companies across the five regions invested \u20ac291 million ($339 million) in infrastructure \u2014 new lifts, snowmaking systems, vehicles, machinery, and buildings. That represented 94% of all ski infrastructure investment made in Italy that year, concentrated almost entirely in these five Alpine regions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>South Tyrol led investment at 30%, followed by Trentino at 27%, Lombardy at 21%, Valle d\u2019Aosta at 13%, and Veneto at 9%.<\/strong> For every \u20ac1 million in production value generated by lift operators, approximately \u20ac250,000 ($291,480) \u2014 a 25% reinvestment rate that is high by any industry standard \u2014 was channelled back into infrastructure.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/south-tyrol-ski-area\/\">S\u00fcdtirol Skiarena: Italy\u2019s Expanding Ski Network Goes All-In on Scale and Year-Round Access in South Tyrol<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Ski Lifts Are a Small Part of Tourism Emissions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Despite frequent criticism of the ski industry\u2019s environmental footprint, the study found that lift operations account for just 6% of total CO\u2082 emissions associated with mountain tourism in the regions analyzed.<\/strong> The overwhelming majority of emissions come from transportation \u2014 primarily visitors driving to and from ski resorts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Newer technologies are reducing even that 6% further.<\/strong> Energy-efficient lift systems and modern snowmaking equipment can reduce energy consumption by up to 20%, and many resorts are increasingly sourcing electricity from renewables including hydro and solar power.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/snowmaking-carbon-footprint\/\"><em><strong>Not All Snowmaking is Created Equal: New Austrian Study Challenges Carbon Footprint Beliefs<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Mountain Communities Depend on Tourism<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The findings illustrate how important skiing remains to the broader Alpine economy.<\/strong> Italy has approximately 2,500 mountain municipalities covering 35% of the country\u2019s territory and home to more than seven million people \u2014 over 12% of the national population.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More than half of these communities rely heavily on tourism, averaging 17 overnight visitor stays per resident \u2014 more than double the national average. <\/strong>Across Italy\u2019s mountain regions, more than 552,000 businesses \u2014 including 171,000 artisan craft enterprises \u2014 employ roughly 1.8 million workers, many of whom depend directly or indirectly on winter tourism.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_389828\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-389828\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-389828 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHyAQMAAABBAe03AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD5JREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20KP6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABeBp2SAAFUHtnjAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"498\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=640%2C498&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=300%2C233&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=1200%2C933&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=768%2C597&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=600%2C467&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"498\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-389828\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_1784-e1770594913357.jpg?resize=640%2C498&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"498\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-389828\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the incredible on-mountain restaurants \u2014 or rifugios \u2014 in the Dolomites. | Image: Julia Schneemann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_2 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>Why It Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>What makes the \u20ac8 figure so significant is the economic concept behind it \u2014 the multiplier effect.<\/strong> When a skier buys a lift pass, that money does not stop with the lift operator. The operator uses it to pay staff, who spend their wages at local restaurants and shops. The operator buys fuel, equipment, and services from local suppliers, who in turn pay their own workers. Each round of spending generates another, until the money eventually leaks out of the local economy through imports or savings. The total economic activity generated by that initial spend \u2014 across all those rounds \u2014 is what the multiplier captures.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tourism is widely recognized as one of the highest-multiplier sectors in any economy, precisely because it is labour-intensive and consumer-facing: the money flows through human hands, and human hands tend to spend locally.<\/strong> Capital-intensive sectors like petrochemicals, by contrast, employ fewer workers per unit of output, so less wage money flows back into local consumption. Typical tourism multipliers in developed economies range from around 1.5 to 3 \u2014 meaning every dollar spent generates $1.50 to $3 in total economic activity. The PwC figure of more than \u20ac8 for Italian Alpine ski lift spending is exceptionally high even by tourism standards, reflecting the degree to which mountain resort economies are self-contained \u2014 with accommodation, food, equipment, instruction, and transport all concentrated in the same valleys and villages where the initial spending occurs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>As ski resort development faces increasing scrutiny over climate change, snowmaking, and long-term sustainability, the PwC-ANEF study provides one of the clearest measurements yet of the economic role ski lift operators play in mountain communities.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The report doesn\u2019t settle debates about the future of skiing.<\/strong> But it does quantify what is at stake. When a ski area thrives, the benefits extend well beyond the lift company \u2014 hotels fill rooms, restaurants serve guests, local businesses stay open, and municipalities collect tax revenue. When a ski area struggles or closes, those impacts ripple throughout the entire community.<\/p>\n<p><strong>According to PwC\u2019s findings, the equation is straightforward: every \u20ac1 spent with ski lift operators creates more than \u20ac8 in economic activity. <\/strong>That is a multiplier few industries can match.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the most instagrammed peaks in the Dolomites: the Seceda. | Image: Julia Schneemann Every euro spent directly with ski lift operators \u2014 on passes, ski school, and related services \u2014 generates more than eight euros in total local economic activity, according to a major new study by global consulting firm PwC, commissioned by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1964650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1964650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1964650"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1964650\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1964650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1964650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1964650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}