4 Valleys End Agreement!
Local newspaper Le Nouvelliste reports that the operators of the 4-Vallées area, whose lifts link five resorts in the canton of Valais, including Verbier, cannot agree on a revenue-sharing scheme.
Besides Verbier, the 4-Vallées area links the resorts of La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon with 82 lifts and 412 kilometres of slopes.
In a statement the Verbier tourist office said;"We wish to pass on the information that we have feared for some time already: the end of the 4 Valleys agreements. Despite this separation we have an area of great quality, a quality team and a modern way that will allow us to continue to attract many tourists and fans to GRAND SKI. Remain confident and above all welcome our guests in the best possible condition
As early as 2012, the TéléVeysonnaz lift company announced in December 2012 that it would no longer continue under the current revenue-sharing deal after June 30th this year.
This means that next season skiers and snow boarders will no longer be able to move among the five resorts in the Canton of Valais, including world famous Verbier, on the same ticket.
Le Nouvelliste said that the four lift operating companies, had cooperated under a joint agreement since 2006, have been unable to agree on sharing of income from the Thyon area,
TéléVerbier, lift operator for the Verbier resort, announced its plans for the 2014-15 ski season, saying it was cutting its links with the other areas. Instead it has unveiled the “Verbier Grand Ski” area, linking the Mont-Fort, Médran Savoleyres and Bruson areas, with a daily lift ticket price of 71 francs ($79.50). However, this is one franc more than for last season with significantly less terrain.
Jean-Pierre Morand, chairman of TéléVerbier, is quoted by Le Nouvelliste as saying he was “disheartened by this situation but we no longer have the choice”.
Téléverbier said efforts will pursued to re-establish the 4-Vallées area but for the moment tourist operators are being informed that the one-ticket, five resorts offer will no longer be available.