The authorities of the French town of La Sambuy, located near Mont Blanc in the French Alps, home to a family ski resort, have decided to dismantle their ski lifts. This decision was prompted by the impact of global warming, which has reduced the ski season to just a few weeks.
According to CNN, the city officials have concluded that it is no longer cost-effective to maintain the lifts.
"Previously, we had snow from practically the first of December until March 30," said Mayor Jacques Dalex. However, last winter, snowfall lasted for only "four weeks, and even then, it was minimal," he added. The ski slopes now stand barren, with only rocks and boulders in place of snow. According to the mayor, the annual operational losses for running the resort amounted to about 500,000 euros. Moreover, maintaining a single ski lift costs 80,000 euros per year.
La Sambuy is a small resort with just three ski lifts and a few slopes, with a maximum elevation of 1,850 meters. Despite its modest size, the resort was popular among families seeking a more modest Alpine experience compared to the larger and higher-altitude destinations. It offered a wide range of slopes, from "black" for professionals to "green" for beginners, and relatively affordable services. However, the city council of La Sambuy has decided to close the resort, which they have managed since 2016.
La Sambuy is not the only French ski resort experiencing a crisis. Last year, Saint-Firmin, another small Alpine ski resort, decided to dismantle its only ski lift after the winter season was reduced from several months to just four weeks. Climate change is also held responsible for this situation. The French environmental group Mountain Wilderness stated that since 2001, 22 ski lifts have been dismantled in France, and there are currently 106 abandoned ski lifts at 59 locations in the country.
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