by InTrieste
The winter ski season in the region has begun on a positive note, with 290,000 first-time entries recorded at ski resorts between December 6 and January 6, according to local tourism and ski operators.
Despite below-average natural snowfall, early-season turnout has been solid, thanks in part to artificial snowmaking, which has helped keep slopes open during the busy holiday period. Visitor numbers were highest over Christmas and New Year’s, driven largely by domestic tourists and short-stay visitors from nearby regions. Families and recreational skiers accounted for most of the traffic.
Ski operators reported stable lift usage and consistent attendance across resorts, suggesting that investments in snowmaking and slope maintenance are helping offset challenging weather conditions. Tourism officials are monitoring the first month closely, noting that if temperatures remain cold enough for artificial snow, the resorts could maintain conditions through January and February, when international visitors typically increase.
For now, the early-season figures offer a cautiously optimistic outlook: even with limited snowfall, the region’s ski industry continues to attract large numbers of visitors, sustaining an important sector of the local economy.
