Swiss Mountains for Sale: The Investor Takeover

Vail Resorts, the American ski resort operator, has become a major player in Switzerland's mountain regions.

With the Epic Pass, an annual subscription offering access to all 42 Vail Resorts globally, American visitors can now ski in Switzerland without limits. This trend highlights the growing interest of international investors in Swiss ski resorts, which are vital to the local economy and identity. Thomas Egger, Director of the Swiss Mountain Regions Association, questions why Switzerland, one of the wealthiest nations, relies on foreign investors for its mountain infrastructure. In contrast, Lenzerheide offers an example of an independently operated resort. The majority of its mountain lifts are owned by the municipality, which protects the area from speculative investors.