Cableways Impact Assessment Study - Final Report - saferail.nl

Risk & Policy Analysts
It is of note that Switzerland adopted requirements based on the Cableways Directive
in 2007. In addition, an agreement between the EU and Switzerland on mutual
recognition of conformity assessments that relate to cableways was adopted in 2011
and the relevant decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union
in March 2012 (Committee on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity
Assessment, 2012). This agreement enhances Switzerland’s participation in the
framework established by the Cableways Directive (EU-Switzerland Agreement,
2011; SNV, 2011).
2.2.3 Analysis of Customers
The ski industry has historically been the primary market for cableways technology
and currently accounts for 80% of the business of the principal cableways
manufacturers – with the remaining 20% of cableways found in other (e.g. urban)
environments.
The world ski market spans 80 countries, 2,000 resorts and between 4,000 and 6,000
places of ski practice. Worldwide, the Alps continue to be the most popular ski
destination attracting 46% of skiers, followed by America with 23%, Asia and Pacific
15%, Western Europe 11% and Eastern Europe and Central Asia 5% (Vanat, 2011).
Table 2.11 below, presents the total number of cableway installations for skiing
purposes in each country in 2011 (Vanat, 2011). As expected, the traditional
European ski countries (France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy) as well as the United
States and Canada currently account for the majority of cableway installations for
skiing purposes globally. These markets are discussed in more detail below.
Overall, traditional cableway markets have seen a long-term decrease in the number
of cableways installed. It is important to note that one reason for the decrease in
numbers of cableways is that old installations are being replaced by those that are
more efficient and have a higher capacity which means fewer installations are needed.
Page 9