« You are no longer ski resorts but mountain resorts. So you are gradually moving away from all-skiing, well done “. Before the members of Ski Areas of Francegathered on October 5 and 6 in Toulon for their annual congress, Christophe Mirmand, prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, but also prefect of the massif, gave a speech of truth. He questioned the elected representatives of mountain resorts and ski resort directors on the subject of global warming and its consequences on all ski. Our ski resorts in the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Massif Central are affected.
Climate warming and worsening snow conditions
« Global warming accelerated in the 2000s and 2010s, with the international group of climate experts (IPCC) now irrefutably establishing its human origin. Mountain areas have thus found themselves at the forefront of climate change, experiencing its deleterious, obvious and visible effects more quickly and intensely: an increase in average temperatures twice as fast as elsewhere, melting of glaciers and permafrost, rarefaction and hazard of natural snowfall, increase in extreme weather phenomena and all natural risks »continued the state representative.
In France, 93% of resorts in the Alps and 98% of those in the Pyrenees are in danger with global warming of +3°C caused by human activities, according to a study published last August in the journal Nature Climate Change .
“Future climate change will worsen snow conditions at ski resorts in all mountainous regions of Europe, compared to recent decades” summarizes Samuel Morin, researcher at Météo-France and the CNRS, and co-author of the study.
« Global warming is an existential threat for a number of stations at various time frames. Among our 200 stations, 170 have had Climsnow studies carried out and know what to expect. Météo France, the Center for Snow Studies and INRAE provide figures on both the scarcity of snow and the reduction of our exposure to this hazard thanks to our techniques and know-how. » tempers in an interview with TPBM in September Laurent Reynaudthe general delegate of Domaines skiables de France.
And the latter added: “ The trajectories of the resorts will be differentiated depending on whether they will quickly be unable to operate skiing. or conversely, they will be able to count on it for another 30, 50 or even 100 years. All this gives an idea of the return on investment, the depreciation of equipment and provides a first level of response to the viability of our businesses. ».
For Christophe Mirmand, “ climate change is not a crisis, by definition temporary, as can arise in the economy or with pandemics. It is the new paradigm in which we are all engaged and for several generations. We must listen and take into account the signals sent by the young generation which, not only, is at the forefront of profound societal and political changes, but which is partly turning away from mountain tourism professions, as evidenced by the increasing difficulties in recruiting and retaining seasonal workers ».
Difficulties for our resorts due to lack of snow
In our Southern Alps, the consequences are already concrete for some of our stations. Some, such as the smallest and lowest in altitude, have already been stopped. The prefect gave the example of Ceüze, in the Hautes-Alpes. Others are experiencing difficulties due to lack of snow. “ Several others, in mid-mountains, have the 2040 horizon in sight, and we must support them now in their transition towards less activity linked to skiing, considering that they are, for the most part, village resorts where life all year round is to be preserved and developed » added Mr. Mirmand. This is the case of the resort town of Montclar, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which wants to regain its former attractiveness. His method: invest in a sustainable development project to move from a model of resistance to a model of exemplarity.
The model of ski resorts disrupted by 2050
And the State representative warned: “ The operating model of most stations will be disrupted by 2050, with strong climatic variabilities to be integrated and economic conditions different from the current model. ». « Only a few dozen could continue to allow skiing in the Alps in reasonable conditions beyond 2050 » recalled the prefect. And Christophe Mirmand told the audience: “ It is now up to you to take on the most difficult challenge: that of your transition. To do this it will be necessary to contradict the adage 1 without skiing everything is over ».
« Ski area managers are at the forefront of observing the impacts of global warming on the mountains. We alone will not stop global warming, but we have chosen to be the first in this transition, to preserve this common good that is the mountain, alongside all our partners. », expressed his side Alexandre Maulin, president of Domaines skiables de France. On this occasion DSF unveiled a first assessment of the 16 eco-commitments made in 2020.
From ski resort to mountain resort
The State representative wanted to be optimistic for the future. “ Obviously, the resort sites will remain attractive for excursionists and tourists seeking to benefit from the attractions of the mountains, as well as for populations wishing to settle permanently in towns and villages. The need for services, economic activities and improved connections with the valleys will therefore increase. Managing flows and peaks in attendance becomes a management imperative in all your territories, summer and winter. Because it is at the scale of living areas, combining high altitude sites and valleys that these transitions can be achieved. The renewal of small urban and rural centers in the heart of our valleys, the objectives of food and energy sovereignty or even new industrial territories and green reindustrialization are all opportunities to be seized to diversify now and gradually replace income ski related ».
Christophe Mirmand, the prefect of the PACA region. (Photo DR)
“The concentration of ski resources in a small number of high altitude resorts also questions territorial cohesion and solidarity across our mountain ranges. Here again, current models will have to evolve” warned M. Mirmand.
The prefect’s appeal to mountain stakeholders
The regional prefect called on ski resort directors to their responsibility as business leaders or elected area managers. “ Our institutional environment is now decentralized, conferring broad responsibilities on field actors, both institutional and economic. I therefore invite you to engage, individually and collectively, in these transitions by becoming fully aware of your role and your expected contributions to the mountain value chain. ».
And Christophe Mirmand greets “ several leaders who, among you, have already taken this new path, and particularly the Alpine companies involved in the Business Climate Convention “. The State representative called on DSF representatives to get involved in the new massif committees for the 2023-2029 term. They will be ” key contributors to building, with all mountain stakeholders, plans for adapting mountain ranges to climate change required by law ». « I also invite DSF and all of you to participate in the continuation of the States General of the transitions of mountain territories to be led on a national scale and by massif, from 2024, by representatives of public authorities, of the economy in the mountains and civil society organizations ».
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