France — After another warm winter in Europe, a ski area in France is permanently throwing in the towel.
The Conexion reports that Hautacam ski resort has announced it will be discontinuing its downhill skiing operations. This follows three consecutive winters with a lack of snowfall. In a press release, the operators of the ski resort noted that they needed to request funds from local agencies following significant deficits to remain operational. Opened in 1972, the ski area featured 20 trails and seven lifts.
However, the whole operation is not closing for good, as the station has various other activities during the winter and summer. Hautacam is already a four-season destination, and they’ll be shifting their focus to existing attractions, like zipline biking (which looks gnarly), a mountain coaster, summer tubing, and trails for hiking and mountain biking. It should be noted that Hautacam is a famous part of the Tour de France, so the area sees lots of summer tourism.
There’s a plan to have a small beginner learning area for first-time skiers and riders when there’s sufficient snowpack, but there won’t be any true ski trails for more tenured skiers.
Rather than accepting its fate, some locals are fighting to save downhill skiing at the ski resort. A petition has been started to keep downhill skiing at the ski resort, which has received over 1300 signatures. Locals are worried that the end of lift-serviced skiing will result in reduced tourism numbers, which could result in the closure of small businesses. Locals have saved fledgling ski areas, like Alpe du Grand Serre last year, so we’ll see if this is a successful effort.
“The only accessible resort, both in terms of access, attendance, and price,” said one individual who signed the petition. “Don’t let the businesses and this winter sport, which has become a veritable elitist empire in other ski areas, die. Please allow low-income households access to this sport and this local heritage.”
The situation paints a bleak picture for ski resorts that are situated in the middle elevations of Europe. This ski area was situated between 1500 (4921 feet) and 1800 meters (5905 feet) above sea level. Due to our warming winters, it likely won’t be the last to close.
Image Credits: Hautacam
