To overcome their reputation as high-cost destinations and woo back an ever dwindling number of skiers, Swiss Alpine resorts have this year launched "low-cost" season passes that have already begun working their magic.

Swiss ski resorts, long renowned for their high quality and even higher prices, have in recent years been hard-hit by global economic woes that have spurred many winter sport enthusiasts to seek out cheaper slopes abroad or snub them altogether.

"For the past 40 years, we have kept the same rates and were happy to wait. But we cannot wait any longer," said Pierre Besson, in charge of the mechanical lifts at the Villars-Gryon-Diablerets station near Lausanne.

During the 2016-17 season, Swiss ski stations sold 21.2 million day passes -- the lowest number in more than a quarter of a century, according to the lift operators.