SkiMIS – Ski Resort Management SkiMIS – Ski Resort Management
Snow-covered Alpine peaks under a dramatic sky

Ski Resort Management · Advisory · Interim Management

Optimisation, safety and efficiency for the ski resorts of tomorrow.

Independent advice from the operator’s perspective – from the master plan through procurement and tendering to safe seasonal operation.

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SkiMIS

We don’t just explain what needs to be done. We make sure it works in daily operation.

SkiMIS works with ropeway companies, destinations and investors as an operational partner – not as a traditional consultancy. We come from operations, have run ski resorts ourselves and know where projects fail in practice: at interfaces, in missing procedures, in planning without operational experience.

15+
years of leadership responsibility in ski resort operations
3
continents – from the Alps and the Tatras to New Zealand and Central Asia
100 %
vendor-independent – advice solely from the operator’s perspective

Expertise

Four pillars.
One view of the whole.

Every ski resort is different. That is why you choose the scope: from a single, focused question to support across the entire life cycle – concept, construction, commissioning and operation.

  1. Design & Construction

    Independent advice on planning and construction – from the future operator’s perspective.

    A ski resort is a network of slopes, lifts, snowmaking lines, access roads, technical buildings and parking. We review master plans before they are built and make sure every investment fits both the guest and the operation.

    • Master plan review and skier flow analysis
    • Investment analysis and sizing
    • Tender documents and terms of reference
    • Bid evaluation and procurement support
    • Support for local planning teams and permit procedures

  2. Operations

    Safe and efficient lift and slope operations – from day one.

    We develop operating, maintenance and emergency plans to international standards and, if required, take over operational management on an interim basis. The goal is always an operation that runs without us.

    • Ropeway and lift operations, acceptance inspections and test scope
    • Snowmaking, slope grooming and avalanche safety
    • Ticketing, access control and pricing
    • Standard operating procedures and checklists
    • Interim management and seasonal operations management

  3. Quality of Service

    Growth and optimisation of the destination – measurable in guest experience and results.

    We identify growth potential along the entire guest journey and turn a classic winter resort into a year-round destination. Key figures make progress visible.

    • Mystery guest programmes and touchpoint analysis
    • Product development: kids’ and beginner areas, summer operations
    • KPI monitoring with the SkiMIS Management Information System
    • Process and cost optimisation

  4. Knowhow Transfer

    Training for management and staff – until the operation runs on its own.

    We don’t just explain what needs to be done, but why. Our training combines theory with practice on the mountain – for managers as well as lift staff, slope teams and ski schools.

    • Management and staff training
    • Maintenance and operating programmes
    • Snow and avalanche safety programmes
    • Customer care programmes
    • Bilingual documentation for international teams

Our credo

“A ski resort is a complex network.”

Slopes, lifts, snowmaking lines, access routes, technical buildings, parking – only the way they work together determines investment and operating costs, guest comfort and safety on the slopes. That is why good operations start with the very first planning sketch.

Matthias Schmid CEO, SkiMIS

References

From practice.
For practice.

Current mandate · since 2025

Ala-Too Resort, Kyrgyzstan

In the Tian Shan mountains near Lake Issyk-Kul, Central Asia’s largest year-round mountain resort is taking shape. SkiMIS supports the state-owned operator OJSC “Ala-Too Resort” as official consultant and expert – from concept, tendering and procurement to the operational preparation of the first ski area, Jyrgalan.

Wide high plateau of Ak-Bulak looking down into the valley, with a small site survey team
Site survey at Ak-Bulak, second development phase of the cluster
3
ski areas in the cluster: Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak, Boz-Uchuk
250+
kilometres of slopes at full build-out
2,200 m
altitude of the Jyrgalan base village
12/2026
planned opening of the first phase

“A cable car alone does not make a ski resort.”

Matthias Schmid – the guiding principle of our work with Ala-Too: success only comes when lifts, slopes, snow, safety, staff and guest service are planned as one system.
  1. 01

    Concept

    Master plan review from the operator’s perspective: lift positions, skier flows, beginner terrain, connection to the village. It is based on our model of nine success factors – from access and snow and slope management to involving the local community.

  2. 02

    Tendering

    Terms of reference and specifications for snowmaking, slope construction, safety nets and grooming vehicles – aligned with local standards and Western European practice.

  3. 03

    Procurement

    Vendor-independent evaluation of bids over the entire life cycle: purchase, operation, maintenance, spare parts and warranty – for grooming vehicles, conveyor belts, access control and rental.

  4. 04

    Permits & acceptance

    Support with permit procedures and recommendations for an independent technical acceptance inspection of the ropeways, modelled on Austrian practice.

  5. 05

    Operational support

    Operational readiness with checklists, safety and avalanche concepts, slope marking, workshop and garage planning, and training of future teams – documented bilingually in Russian and English.

Deep-snow high terrain in the Tian Shan under a cloudless sky, with a building and lift towers in the middle of the picture
Winter in the Tian Shan, January 2026 – terrain for the next development phases

Case study · Bregenzerwald, Austria

Schetteregg ski resort

How a small family ski resort turned losses into profit with one clear idea – and won an award for it.

Family in the pink gondola cabin “Schettis Fuchsbau” in the snow, with the Bregenzerwald mountains behind
Girl at a signpost of the children’s slope guidance system
Two children with the fox mascot in a burst of powder snow

01 The challenge

Schetteregg near Egg in the Bregenzerwald is a small ski resort: six lifts, around ten kilometres of slopes, winter operation only – surrounded by the big names of Vorarlberg. The lift company was making losses. This competition could not be won on kilometres of slopes.

02 The strategy

A clear position instead of size: Schetteregg was to become the most child-friendly ski resort in Vorarlberg. As managing director, Matthias Schmid took on operational responsibility, consistently aligned operations, costs and offer with families, and managed every area – from lifts and slopes to ticket office and marketing.

03 The learning environment

At its heart is an interactive slope guidance system for children. Each slope has a mascot that shows what you need to be able to do to ski it. Children find the right run on their own – and parents can see where their child stands. The system is complemented by a freely accessible kids’ area with magic carpets, a ski carousel, an igloo and a treasure hunt. The campaign won an award.

04 The result

A distinctive profile, happy families – and a lift company back in the black.

„With innovation and skill, a common strategy was developed and successfully implemented. The overall economic situation has taken a very positive development under the advice of SKIMIS.“

Alfred Schoch · Chairman, Egger Liftgesellschaft mbH & Co KG

Further projects

  • Freeskier on a box in the Diedamspark, with the Diedamskopf summit behind

    Bregenzerwald, Austria · Operations management

    Diedamskopf

    Management of all operational areas of the highest ski resort in the Bregenzerwald – from lift operations to the Diedamspark with more than 30 obstacles. Plus procurement of pre-season supplies and a training programme for around 100 employees.

    „More than once we were surprised of his deep knowledge of ski resorts management. He convinces with his analytical factual approach.“

    Günther Oberhauser · Chairman, Diedamskopf Alpin Tourismus GmbH
  • Skier on a Broken River rope tow above a sea of clouds

    Craigieburn Range, New Zealand · Mountain Manager · 2017 season

    Broken River

    Management of the entire winter operation of a club ski area with rope tows and its own funicular: day-to-day operations, snow safety and rescue programme, maintenance crew.

    „The ski area opened in time and the levels of service was beyond our expectations. His highly tuned analytical thinking and problem solving was put to good use.“

    Ross Campbell · President, Broken River Ski Club
  • View of the Brocken in the Harz mountains with spruce forest

    Harz, Germany · Planning project management

    Bergwelten Schierke

    Project management for the planning and product development of a year-round mountain experience with a gondola on the edge of the Harz National Park – including coordination with authorities and planning partners.

    „We appreciate the support of SKIMIS. They are creative and skilled problem solver in all aspect of ski area management.“

    Gerhard Bürger · Investor, Bergwelten Schierke GmbH & Co KG
  • Check-in area of a modern ski rental with an illuminated ski boot wall and mountain panorama

    Low Tatras, Slovakia · Ski school & rental set-up

    Jasná

    Helped set up ski schools and rental stations in Slovakia’s most successful ski resort.

Portrait of Matthias Schmid

Leadership

Matthias Schmid, DI (FH)

Founder and CEO

Business information systems graduate, qualified ski instructor and in leadership roles at ski resorts for more than fifteen years – with teams of up to 110 people, responsible for lifts, snowmaking, slope grooming, avalanche safety and food & beverage. He combines hands-on experience on the mountain with an analytical view of figures, processes and systems.

  1. since 2025 Official consultant and expert to OJSC “Ala-Too Resort”, Kyrgyzstan
  2. since 2019 Managing director and owner of Medatec Computer Ges.m.b.H., Hard (Austria)
  3. 2017 Mountain Manager, Broken River Ski Area, New Zealand
  4. Operations management, Diedamskopf ski resort, Bregenzerwald
  5. from 2009 Managing director, Schetteregg ski resort, Bregenzerwald
  6. Setting up ski schools and rental in Jasná, Slovakia

First call

Thirty minutes.
A clear view from the outside.

Talk directly to Matthias Schmid. In a first call we discuss your situation – confidential, without obligation and on equal terms.

Languages
German · English

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