Ski schools in Germany report a decline in student numbers
Alarming news from ski resorts in Germany: Will many ski instructors soon lose their jobs? Demand for lessons at German ski schools has fallen to a worrying low.
The focus is on the over-50s
The old cliché now seems to have finally become a thing of the past: young female holidaymakers swooning over the sun-tanned ski instructor—this target group is now almost nonexistent at German ski schools. Instead, it is the so-called “best agers” who still want (and can afford) the luxury of a ski school. That is, if the lessons fit into the holidaymakers’ packed schedules: for the over-50s, a ski holiday means wellness and gourmet evenings in mountain huts as well as skiing. So, if they take a lesson at a ski school at all, it is usually just “for an hour in between.”
Ski schools in Germany report a decline in student numbers
Date: 30/09/2026
One reason for the falling demand for lessons at German ski schools is that, in recent years, ski holidays have become significantly more expensive, especially for families with children (as we reported). Ski holidays have now become a luxury and, for families with children, have not been a priority for quite some time compared with summer holidays—even though ski schools have made their offerings much more extensive and convenient in recent years.
Ski lessons for children
In the past, “little ones’ courses”—ski lessons for children—were among the most important sources of income. Now, however, young learners have become scarce at German ski schools. Erich Melmer, president of the International Ski Instructors Association, Interski, summed it up for FOCUS online: “We have a serious problem attracting the next generation,” he said. But ski schools are not alone: other sectors of winter tourism are also reporting significant declines in revenue.
Future prospects under discussion
The situation is serious not only in Germany: a few weeks ago, ski instructors from around the world met in St. Anton am Arlberg to discuss the future prospects of their profession. It became clear that the problem of attracting the next generation is a phenomenon being observed worldwide. Ski resorts in the United States, Japan and Canada are also seeing falling numbers at their ski schools.
Christian Bathen
