Ski resorts in Ostrobothnia have suffered from a lack of skiers at the beginning of the year. It is hoped that the skiing holidays will remedy the situation, as many families are believed to prefer nearby destinations this year.
Ostrobothnia Ski Centers expect that ski holiday tourism will focus on nearby destinations more than usual this year.
Among others, Simpsiö in Lapua, Louekallio in Sievi, Lakis in Vimpel and Öjberget in Vaasa believe that due to the rise in the cost of living, many will change the northern ski resorts to local ones.
The costs of ski centers have also increased, for example due to the increase in the price of electricity. However, it has not been directly included in the ticket prices.
– We have not wanted to raise prices. Of course, ski resorts have quite big expenses, because there are staff and electricity consumption is high, but we are going with moderate prices, and I hope that local tourism will benefit from it, says Simpsiö’s entrepreneur Markku Turja.
It is hoped that the skiing holidays will make up for the weak start of the year
Last winter was exceptionally good for the skiing centers in Ostrobothnia, but now the season has been difficult.
There have been clearly fewer visitors than in recent years, and the explanation is a winter with less snow. People don’t go skiing as enthusiastically when the ground is snow-free, even if the slopes are in good condition.
– It’s a weird phenomenon. The snowy snow will not disappear from the slopes, but when the fields are bare and the roads are thawed, there is no winter on the mind, and no winter sports are practiced, also confirms Markku Turja from Simpsiö.
Households save on ancillary services
Jouni Niemelä, entrepreneur at Vimpelin Lakis, believes that the popularity of skiing boosted by the corona will continue, but has already noticed that families’ tighter finances have affected the use of money for hobbies.
You don’t want to be the first to compromise on children’s hobbies, but many tried to skimp on ancillary services.
– For example, we are asked a lot for old skis so that we don’t have to buy new ones or rent them all winter.
Many also seek savings in restaurant services: more and more people have their own snacks.
– A bit like in the first corona year, we had a huge number of claps at home. Everyone fried sausage when it was not possible to be inside.
Now the tree is burning for other reasons.
– Now let’s calculate precisely. Money is really tight for many people, thinks Niemelä.
Good winter weather is the best marketer
Sievi’s Louekalli entrepreneur Kari Niemi says that the best marketing tool for a ski center is snow and sunshine.
Visitors to Öjberget in Vaasa have also been taxed by the fact that the C slope, i.e. trick slope, has still not been opened. It has reduced season ticket sales.
– The hope is to get the C-slope open quickly, but I don’t think it will be possible with natural snow. It requires artificial snow, and that requires a period of frost. The delay in the opening of the C-slope is a loss, but how big it is remains to be seen, says Mika Lehtonen, director of sports services in the city of Vaasa.
However, the ski centers have not lost hope for this season, because the most important season is just around the corner.
– Yes, this can still be a good year, admits Louekallio entrepreneur Kari Niemi.