The ski lifts in the French Alps are at a standstill. A decline in sales and high investments are forcing a realignment.
Munich – Two more ski resorts in the French foothills of the Alps have to close because there is insufficient snowfall. The affected areas are Grand Puy in Seyne-les-Alpes and Alpe du Grand Serre south of Grenoble. It was decided at the weekend to permanently shut down the ski lifts.
High investments and falling sales lead to the closure of the ski area
In a local referendum, almost three quarters of Seynes-les-Alpes residents voted to dismantle the lifts and create new tourist attractions. According to information from Tagesschau.de The municipality recently invested around 350,000 euros annually in the area, while sales have fallen by 60 percent in the last ten years.
Lake for fishing instead of artificial snow on the slopes: Alpine ski areas close
The two areas, which are between 1,400 and 2,200 meters above sea level, will lose a total of 24 kilometers of slopes. A water reservoir that was previously used to produce artificial snow is to be converted into a fishing lake. In addition, trail routes are to be created where there were once ski slopes.
Less snow due to climate change
The effects of climate change mean that ski areas in low mountain ranges in particular no longer receive enough natural snow. The use of artificial snow is not only expensive, but also requires a lot of energy and is also harmful to the environment.
Source: AFP
“It breaks our hearts”: Jobs in Alpine ski areas threatened
The Alpe du Grand Serre ski area near Grenoble provided 200 direct and indirect jobs. “It breaks our hearts, but we are not giving up and are looking for new solutions together,” said the socialist MP Marie-Noëlle Battiste, who sits on the council of the municipal association and voted for the closure of the lifts.
Meanwhile, a catastrophe is looming in an Austrian ski resort – 80 percent of hotel guests have canceled their bookings. However, the reason for this is not climate change. (AFP/BeBau)
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