The mid-mountain resort of Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme) will be placed in receivership due to the lack of snow, said Friday the operator of the town's ski lifts.
Read also: When global warming threatens the infrastructure of ski resorts
"Given the lack of snow during the February holidays, our turnover plunged and represents 21% of what we usually do, with a deficit reaching almost 2 million euros," said Patrick Déat, director of the Saem. "The turnover is currently 625,000 euros, while we are at 3 million euros at this time of the year for a normal season," he said.
Faced with this situation, the board of directors of the Saem decided to set up from Monday a judicial recovery procedure "to save employment", added the manager, confirming information from the regional daily La Montagne. The station employs 21 permanent employees and 65 seasonal workers, some of whom work part-time. After the referral to the commercial court, an observation period of 15 to 18 months will be set up and the station will benefit from a deferral of charges. “For the summer, we will try to reduce the loads as much as possible. The station will only work with permanent employees, "said the manager.
Read also: Global warming: what future for ski resorts?
Faced with the reduction in snow cover, ski resorts, particularly in the middle of the mountain, are considering the development of new activities (walks, summer toboggans, mountain biking, etc.). “We have started to diversify our activities, with a zip line or scooters, but that is the whole logic that needs to be changed. This requires large investments and, in any case, these activities will never yield as much as skiing, ”noted Mr. Déat. In recent days, snow has fallen on the Sancy massif to which the Mont-Dore resort belongs but "it is melting because the temperatures are softening", according to him.
With climate change, the exceptional risks becoming the norm. The lack of snow is felt in mainland France at medium altitude, between 1,200 and 2,000 meters, according to Météo-France. By 2050, the phenomenon will accelerate further, whatever efforts are made to combat global warming.
Read also: Sweetness in the Pyrenees: half of the ski resorts delay their opening