Age structure and growth performance of a dwarf shrub, Vaccinium myrtillus L., and a perennial herb, Potentilla aurea L. em. Willd., were studied on and beside two ski pistes in the Swiss Alps. The age of V. myrtillus ramets and P. aurea plants was determined by counting annual xylem rings at the shoot base. Biomass and shoot length of both species were measured. Vaccinium myrtillus ramets were significantly younger on ski pistes than in control plots. Potentilla aurea plants, however, showed no difference in age structure on and beside the pistes. Biomass and height of V. myrtillus ramets were considerably lower on the pistes than beside. The biomass of P. aurea plants was higher on the pistes. The growth form of P. aurea plants was short and compact on the pistes and long and outspread beside the pistes. The results indicate that the dwarf shrub V. myrtillus responds negatively in growth performance and age to the disturbance and stress on ski pistes. Potentilla aurea, however, might react to the changed environmental conditions and/or profit by decreased competition with dwarf shrubs on the pistes. The year ring analysis of the herb and the dwarf shrub proved to be a valuable tool for investigating population structures and thus helped to improve the understanding of plant performance on ski pistes.