The Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has initiated formal proceedings against the "Dolomiti Superski" association and its twelve regional consortia. The accusation is of agreements restricting competition: The umbrella association is alleged to have systematically determined the prices for ski passes centrally and prohibited the member consortia from selling passes via external platforms.
The ski resorts affected include renowned destinations such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Gröden/Seiser Alm, Val di Fassa, Arabba/Marmolada, Drei Zinnen, Val di Fiemme, Civetta, Gitschberg/Jochtal, Plose and Alpe Lusia/San Pellegrino. Investigators from the AGCM and the financial police have already searched the offices of the consortia involved and the umbrella organization in Runggaditsch to check documents and procedures.
The central suspicion is directed at two main points: Firstly, Dolomiti Superski is alleged to have enforced a fixed price for ski passes via its articles of association. Secondly, the member consortia are said to have been prohibited from offering ski passes via third-party providers such as sales partners or online platforms such as "Snowit". As a result, innovations such as dynamic pricing or comparison offers may have been prevented.
Representatives of the association have declared that they will cooperate with the AGCM "with maximum willingness, transparency and responsibility". They also emphasized that the association has been an "exemplary consortium model" for over fifty years, standing for regional development and sustainable tourism. User representatives such as the consumer organization Assoutenti, on the other hand, expressed their relief at the investigation. They noted that the price of a day pass had risen by up to 24 % in the past four years - from 67 to 83 euros.
The parties concerned have 60 days to submit comments or request a hearing. Proven violations may result in fines of up to 10 % of annual turnover.
