Large quantities of new snow, a prolonged cold period and lots of open slopes – the heavy snowfalls over recent days and the ongoing cold weather are good news for skiing enthusiasts in Åre, Sälen, Vemdalen, Trysil, Hemsedal and Sankt Johann in Tirol. The demand for bookings is high at SkiStar's ski resorts.
Early snow and cold have enabled us to open all our ski resorts earlier than in the previous year and everything is in place for good skiing conditions over Christmas and the New Year. Bookings for the next winter season are 1 percent higher than at the same point in the previous year, says CEO SkiStar, Mats Årjes
It's time to open for skiing at SkiStar's new ski resort, St. Johann in Tirol. SkiStar has developed and improved the snow-making facilities at the Austrian resort in time for this winter. Together with the recent cold period, this means that the resort will be opening on Thursday 8 December.
It's time to start the skiseason: SkiStar is opening the slopes and lifts. Hemsedal, Trysil and Vemdalen are opening right now, while the Swedish resorts of Åre and Sälen will be following suit soon. The abundant snowfall in Sweden and Norway has created a great deal of interest in skiing in Scandinavia's mountain regions and the booking demand at SkiStar's resorts is high.
Ski enthusiasts can this winter travel direct to the ski resorts of Åre and Vemdalen from the UK capital, London. The UK's largest airline, easyJet, starts its direct service every Sunday from 11 December to Åre/Östersund airport from London Gatwick. Affordable, convenient shuttle service to Åre and Vemdalen direct from the airport is now available.
One of Norway's best resort hotels is to change name from Park Inn Trysil to Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences. Trysil will be able to boast two fantastic Radisson Blu Resort hotels as from the start of the season.
Smart cameras that capture your jumps in the park on film, Valle's ski school for children and daycare on the slopes. This is just some of the news from the ski tour operator SkiStar for the coming winter season, where the focus is on young people, a new modern express lift in Trysil and especially a whole new family ski resort in the Alps, St Johann.
SkiStar is now launching its first destination in the Alps. St. Johann in the Austrian Tyrol can be booked at skistar.com. The venture is the first step in establishing a ski travel company in the Alps.
We have experienced another good winter season that has helped deliver a strong financial year with increased profit and exceeded financial targets. The number of skier days increased by 4 percent to 5.1 million, while the number of booked overnight stays increased by 5 percent to 524,000, says Mats Årjes, CEO at SkiStar.
After a late start to the season due to mild weather, business gained momentum from the Christmas and New Year holidays. More guests in January, mainly due to Valle’s Winter Weeks and SkiStar Business, combined with good winter and Easter breaks, contributed to the improved results. A weak Norwegian krone has brought an increased inflow of foreign guests, mainly from the Danish market.
SkiStar is launching its first new offer for guests since adding St. Johann, Austria to its range of ski resorts. Starting from winter 2016/2017, the Tyrolean ski resort of St. Johann will be included in SkiStar's season skipass, MySkiStar All.
SkiStar has signed an agreement and will, through a rights issue, become the majority shareholder in the Austrian ski resort of St. Johanner Bergbahnen GmbH. SkiStar will pay a share issue proceeds of EUR 10 million and thus become the owner of 68 % stake in the company.
Comments from CEO Mats Årjes: In summarising the first six months, we are pleased to present the best results in SkiStar's history. More guests in January, partly due to Valle’ s Winter Weeks and SkiStar Business, combined with a good winter half-term break contributed to the improved results. Booking volumes increased by 9 percent from the start of the season to the end of February.
We are embarking on the 2015/16 season with great confidence. The season has now opened at all of our destinations and we’re looking forward to welcoming our guests for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Booking volumes are still up 12 percent on the same time last year, and all weeks up until Easter have higher booking levels compared to the previous year, says Mats Årjes CEO.
SkiStar has been invited to participate in a preferential rights issue for shares in St. Johanner Bergbahnen GmbH. Acceptance of the offer means ownership of about 68 percent of the company’s shares. In conjunction with the offer, a letter of intent was signed between SkiStar and representatives of the three largest current shareholders stating that they will not participate in the share issue.
Philips TV launches a snow park in Åre in northern Sweden lit up by LED lamps in changing colors. The park will be open at night and offers this year’s skiers a brand new and unique experience.
Åre will start the ski season Friday 4 December. Cold and heavy snowfall has turned Åre into a wonderful winter landscape. The preparations for Åre Ski Opening 11-13 December and the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions continue.
Åre, Sweden, have been allotted races in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup on 12 to 13 Dec, 2015 from the International Ski Federation (FIS). The scheduled competitions will be held on Saturday12 December with Giant slalom for ladies and Sunday 13 December with ladies’ slalom. Åre has also the official season opening weekend.
SkiStar owns and operates the two largest ski resorts in Norway, Trysil and Hemsedal. In addition to Åre, Sälen and Vemdalen in Sweden.The German and English markets show a growing interest for ski holidays in the Swedish and Norwegian mountains. SkiStar´s fourth largest market, Germany, presents a 4 percent increase in comparison to the previous year and the English market is up by 64 %* .
Last winter, almost 10 metres* of natural snow fell at the SkiStar resorts in Sälen, Hemsedal, Trysil, Åre and Vemdalen. SkiStar invests continuously in improving the skiing experience, and in the run-up to the coming season we will be focusing in particular on developing facilities in Sälen and Vemdalen.