The small Alpine resort of Grand Puy in France has decided to close its ski lift and winter resort due to a lack of snow and visitors, resulting in significant financial losses for the town council. Locals voted to shutter the lift and focus on developing alternative activities independent of the ski lifts to attract visitors and improve the economy. The closure of ski resorts due to climate change is a growing trend worldwide, with many resorts struggling to maintain profitability amid changing weather patterns. This decision reflects a broader trend of ski resort closures across Europe and the world as climate change impacts snowfall patterns and temperatures.
The closure of Grand Puy is part of a larger trend of ski resorts being forced to diversify and invest in all-season activities to remain economically viable. The popular French resort of Saint-Colomban-des-Villards also faced a lack of snow and high temperatures that forced the complete closure of its lifts during the previous ski season. The mayor of Seyne, Laurent Pascal, cited the cost of running the resort and the need to invest in the town as a whole as reasons for the closure. The town had taken out a loan of €2 million to maintain the lifts, leading to significant financial strain on the community.
Locals were asked to vote on a plan to sell the resort equipment and diversify activities with a self-financing budget over the next five years. Despite some opposition to the closure, a majority agreed that it was the best course of action. The mayor and councillors are hoping to recoup funds from the sale of assets to expand tourism offerings with environmentally friendly activities. Discussions have included the possibility of electric-assisted mountain bike trails and turning a reservoir into a fishing lake. The closure of Grand Puy highlights the impact of climate change on ski resorts and the need for adaptation to changing weather patterns.
The closure of Grand Puy is not an isolated incident, as numerous ski resorts across France and Europe have been forced to shut down due to climate change. The French Alpine resort of Le Grand Serre also ended subsidies for ski activities after being in operation for 85 years, resulting in the loss of around 200 jobs. Geographer Pierre-Alexandre Metral has discovered that over 180 ski resorts in France have closed since the 1970s, with many closures being attributed to climate change. The resort of La Sambuy in France closed in 2023 due to a shortage of snow, indicating a trend of shorter ski seasons and increasing challenges for ski resorts.
Climate change poses a severe threat to ski resorts at all altitudes, with even higher altitude resorts being impacted by changing snowfall patterns. Resorts across France, Austria, and Bosnia have had to rely on artificial snow, which has its own environmental impacts due to its high water and energy consumption. The trend of ski resort closures due to climate change is likely to continue, as resorts face increasing challenges in maintaining profitability and attracting visitors in the face of changing weather patterns. The closure of Grand Puy and other ski resorts underscores the urgent need for adaptation and sustainable practices in the ski tourism industry.
