SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

Comments from the CEO Mats Årjes. “Continued strong interest in alpine skiing is the underlying reason that SkiStar can present the best half-year result in its history. Profit after tax is SEK 87 million more than last year.

During the quarter, which includes Christmas and New Year and much of the Swedish spring school break period, the number of skier days increased by one percent from the corresponding period last year. The Christmas and New Year periods as well as the spring school break period have led to new visit and sales records. The quarter ended with total sales growth, including the exploitation business, of 11 percent.

Powder Skiing. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19
Powder Skiing. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19

This season we have only one Easter week, 15-22 April. Last year we had two earlier Easter weeks, from 26 March to 8 April. This means that our booking situation (through SkiStar accommodation agency operations) for the remaining season is seven percent lower than at the same time last year. The later Easter will of course also mean later bookings, which affects the comparative figures.

We see continuing strong demand for land, flats and Vacation Club shares at our destinations. The quarter’s capital gains from property development and exploitation amounted to SEK 41 million, which is SEK 36 million higher than the second quarter last year. Accumulated capital gains amount to SEK 143 million. We stand by our forecast that capital gains on our exploitation business will rise during this financial year.

The Alpine World Championships in Åre also took place during the period. We are delighted that all events went as planned and are pleased about the exposure we received from our title sponsorship. Traffic to skistar.com from abroad increased during the period. For example, in a potential growth market like the UK, we saw a 70 percent increase in traffic to skistar.com.

A nice cozy place for when it is snowing hard. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.
A nice cozy place for when it is snowing hard. Photo courtesy: SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.

It is also pleasing to see that engagement in SkiStar’s MySkiStar customer club continues to increase. The number of registered members now exceeds 863,000, an increase of 15 percent from last year. We received high praise for our digital initiatives when, in mid-March, we were voted Sweden’s best site in the IDG Topp 100, an annual list of Sweden’s best websites.

With a strong first half behind us, our focus is now on winding up this year’s season as well as starting preparations for 2019/20. We will also continue to invest in Sälen and Trysil as a partner to the construction of Scandinavian Mountains Airport. The schedule for the first planes to land in December 2019 remains unchanged. As with the World Championships in Åre, it is part of our strategy to draw new foreign guests to our destinations.”

Half-Year Report

September 2018 – February 2019

Second Quarter

  • Revenue for the second quarter was SEK 1,431 (1,290) million, an increase of SEK 141 million (11 percent) compared with the previous year.
  • Profit after tax for the second quarter was SEK 555 (502) million, an increase of SEK 53 million (11 percent) compared with the previous year.
  • Earnings per share amounted to SEK 6.95 (6.28), an improvement of 11 percent first six months
  • Revenue for the first six months was SEK 1,628 (1,436) million, an increase of SEK 192 million (13 percent) compared with the previous year.
  • Profit after tax for the first six months was SEK 410 (323) million, an increase of SEK 87 million (27 percent) compared with the previous year.
  • Earnings per share amounted to SEK 5.22 (4.08), an improvement of 28 percent.
A kid kisses a snowman in the Valle of Salen. Photo Courtesy: SkiStaar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.
A kid kisses a snowman in the Valle of Salen. Photo Courtesy: SkiStaar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.

This information is information that SkiStar AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out below, at 20 March 2019, 07.30 a.m. CET.

Further information can be reached from:

Mats Årjes, CEO tel +46 (0)280 880 80

Anders Örnulf, CFO tel +46 (0)280 880 80

More info: skistar.com

The-Ski-Guru TRAVEL is a CONCIERGE service that can help you organise your bespoke ski trip to the Americas, Alps or Japan, including for those going from Britain to Europe, helping you book your Eurotunnel trip, and for all trips: lodging, lift tickets, rentals, ski school, and all you need for an excellent vacation. Go to https://www.the-ski-guru.com/travel and upload your information – this page will be updated soon with more travel ideas. Check our amazing Ski Safari in the Dolomites , stay at the San Lorenzo Lodge White Deer in the Val Pusteria of Sudtirol, in the Hotel Petrus in Riscone, for skiing Kronplatz, or check our offer to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl and Sölden to ski with your family. Maybe you want to come on my group to ski with other like-minded skiers in Courmayeur in January 2020, staying at the Gran Baita hotel?

A skier carving in Hemsedal. Photo courtesy of SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.
A skier carving in Hemsedal. Photo courtesy of SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.

You can start thinking about your trip, by reading the articles on the Planning your Ski Trip tab.  Or how to pack for your family ski trip.  If taking your furry friend abroad to the continent, read about the new Pet Travel Scheme update from DEFRA. Self-drive skiers also need to plan for Brexit. Check out our tips for driving to the mountains.  If flying and renting a car in Europe, beware of the extra charges they will pass to you if you want winter tyres, snow chains or ski racks. If driving, check the winter tyres news for Europe and North America. You can see how our last family ski holiday was not as expected, even though one plans it to be a success, but how we could do the most of it.

You can also look for your own accommodation in the snow through our Accommodation Search tab.

Featured Image: A familie in Åre. Photo courtesy SkiStar. SkiStar showcases record results for the first half of 2018/19.

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