An alpine ski resort in the French Alps has been forced to shut down due to a shortage of snow, adding to the increasing list of closures in the region. Alpe du Grand Serre, located near Grenoble at an altitude of 1,368m, has announced its permanent closure as it struggled to raise funds for year-round snow-making equipment.
Established 85 years ago, the resort boasted 35 miles of slopes, three chairlifts, and 10 drag lifts. Despite efforts to enhance facilities through the ‘Alpe du Grand Serre 2050’ plan, which included upgrades to ski lifts for both winter sports and summer activities, the resort faced financial challenges.
Local councillors revealed that almost €3 million (£2.5m) had been spent since 2021 to promote tourism throughout the year. However, with unsuccessful fundraising attempts to cover operating costs, the decision to close the resort was made. The closure has resulted in a devastating loss of at least 200 jobs and has been described as a “cruel lack of humanity” by the community.
In a bid to rescue the ski station, fundraising campaigns have been launched by the council, aimed at both corporate and public donations. The hope is to reopen Alpe du Grand Serre for future seasons while awaiting the implementation of a sustainable transition project for 2050.
Alpe du Grand Serre Tomorrow, a support group, expressed dismay over the closure, calling it a “terrible lack of vision” and emphasising the impact on local residents and farmers who rely on winter sports for their livelihoods. While the closure of Alpe du Grande Serre is significant, it reflects a broader trend of low to mid-altitude resorts shutting down due to unreliable snowfall caused by climate change.
According to experts, about 180 ski resorts in France have closed since the 1970s due to various factors including the impact of climate change. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), in collaboration with UN weather experts, recently warned that ski resorts worldwide are facing an “existential threat” due to the climate crisis, with 26 World Cup races cancelled last season due to adverse weather conditions.
The closure of Alpe du Grand Serre highlights the challenges faced by ski resorts in adapting to changing climate patterns and underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions to ensure the future of winter sports in the face of a warming planet.