Housing costs put pressure on workers in Swiss ski resorts

Housing costs have become the biggest obstacle for seasonal workers in Swiss ski resorts, according to a federal study published on September 11, 2026. The finding puts pressure on destinations that rely on temporary staff to run hotels, restaurants, ski schools and other services during the winter season.

Researchers from the University of Lausanne interviewed more than 80 seasonal workers in Adelboden in the canton of Bern, Leysin and Villars sur Ollon in the canton of Vaud, and Saas Fee in the canton of Valais. The study was commissioned by the federal government and the three cantons.

The researchers found that the housing situation differs from one resort to another, but affordability is a common concern. Workers who spend too much of their wages on rent have little money left to save during the season. That can weaken the appeal of seasonal employment, especially for people arriving in Switzerland without established local contacts.

The Federal Office for Housing said suitable accommodation helps resorts attract workers and retain them over time. With Alpine tourism facing strong demand for labour, access to a room near the workplace has become an operational issue for the resorts themselves.

Affordable housing ranks above comfort and luxury for seasonal workers, the study found. Workers want to live close to their jobs and say that cleanliness, practical furnishings and enough space matter more than high-end amenities.

The preference reflects the structure of seasonal employment. A worker who spends several months in a resort may have limited time and income to absorb long commutes or high rent. Housing far from the workplace can also add transport costs and make early shifts, late restaurant service or changing weather more difficult to manage.

Shared accommodation is common in seasonal employment, but privacy remains important. The study records a desire for living arrangements that provide personal space while keeping rents within reach. If accommodation consumes too much of a worker’s salary, the season produces only limited savings, reducing one of the main financial reasons people take temporary jobs in Switzerland.

The findings also give employers a clearer measure of what workers need. A basic, clean room near the workplace may be more valuable than a larger property at a distant location. For resorts, that makes staff housing and rental arrangements part of workforce planning rather than an optional benefit.

The shortage is not explained by the number of available properties alone. The study says that the way accommodation is provided and allocated also creates barriers for seasonal workers.

New arrivals often depend on personal connections or prior experience in a particular resort. Workers who have already spent seasons in the same location are more likely to know landlords, employers and informal channels for finding a room. Those arriving for the first time can struggle to enter that network, even when suitable accommodation exists.

The researchers identify platforms, support services and employers acting as intermediaries as possible ways to widen access. A centralised listing system could help workers see available rooms before arriving. Employer support could also reduce uncertainty around contracts, deposits and short rental periods.

Flexible tenancy arrangements emerged as another proposal during workshops and discussions on the issue. Standard leases may not fit people who work in Switzerland for only a few months each year. Clearer short term options could help landlords fill properties while giving workers legal and financial certainty. The study also points to the importance of advice and networking, particularly for people unfamiliar with the local housing market.

The study places responsibility across the resort economy, rather than treating housing as a private problem for individual workers. It calls for municipalities, employers, cantons, tourism organisations and private landlords to coordinate their response.

One option is to build or provide accommodation specifically for seasonal staff. Such projects could involve local authorities and tourism businesses, with arrangements adapted to the conditions of each resort. The researchers stress that the difficulty of finding housing varies between Adelboden, Leysin, Saas Fee and Villars sur Ollon, so a single national model would not address every local constraint.

Employers can also act as intermediaries between workers and landlords. Tourism organisations could help coordinate demand across several businesses, while municipalities could identify suitable sites or clarify planning rules. Private landlords remain an important part of the supply, particularly in resorts where new construction is limited.

The federal housing office says joint action is required because seasonal labour supports the wider visitor economy. Hotels, restaurants, mountain transport operators and other businesses compete for staff in the same small housing markets. Coordination could prevent each employer from trying to solve the problem alone.

Recruitment and retention now depend partly on whether workers can afford to live where they work. The federal study links housing directly to the ability of Swiss holiday destinations to maintain their workforce over the long term.

That pressure comes as accommodation costs shape the wider Alpine tourism market. Swiss resorts already include some of the country’s most expensive holiday destinations, and rising visitor demand can increase competition for limited housing. Seasonal workers often earn income for only part of the year, making rent levels especially significant even when employment is available.

The research does not prescribe one solution for every community. It points instead to local partnerships, targeted staff accommodation, flexible rental contracts, practical support and better access to information. These measures could help both established workers and newcomers who lack local contacts.

The next test will be implementation. Municipalities and cantons will need to assess where staff housing can be created, employers will need to clarify their role, and landlords will need workable short term arrangements. For Switzerland’s ski resorts, the availability of workers may increasingly depend on the availability of rooms.