University Professor Dr Christoph Teller from the Institute of Retail, Sales and Marketing was recently interviewed for the SRF (Swiss Radio and Television) news programme Tagesschau on a topic that is not only topical in Austria: Dynamic pricing for ski passes. In popular Swiss ski resorts such as St. Moritz, Zermatt and Laax, prices rise depending on demand - especially when the weather is good or the crowds are high. An algorithm determines how much you pay for the ski pass on an individual basis. Those who book early can benefit from discounts of over 50 %, but these usually only apply outside the peak season.

But what does this mean for skiers? University Professor Dr Christoph Teller explains that this price model benefits flexible skiers in particular. Those who choose their ski day spontaneously often pay significantly higher prices. Families with children are at a particular disadvantage, as they often only have time during the holidays or at weekends - precisely when prices rise. Dynamic pricing therefore tends to result in a late booking penalty compared to an early booking bonus and is therefore not very socially acceptable.

Conclusion: If you are not flexible, you pay more for winter sports - a pricing strategy that is above all fair for very few people.