The filling rate of the resorts during these winter holidays is around 35%, assures Jean-Marc Silva, director of France Montagnes.

On Europe 1, Monday, the person in charge is pleased with a less gloomy season than envisaged, in particular because of the "need for big spaces" which the French expressed.

INTERVIEW

Saving furniture in a dark year was the ambition of the entire mountain sector in France, at a time of restrictions imposed by the government to fight against Covid-19.

A task complicated by the closure of ski lifts, fiercely opposed by many players in the sector.

And yet, despite these special conditions, the "white season" could be avoided, as assured Monday on Europe 1 Jean-Marc Silva, director of France Montagnes.

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, the leader of the association which brings together all the ski resorts of all the massifs believes that the season was less worse than expected.

"The mountains have attracted, despite the closure of the ski lifts. We have found that customers need large spaces and want the mountains. Today, we have more or less the first figures of these holidays since we have little near 35% of occupancy rate on these winter holidays, ”measures the manager.

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The arrival of "neo-mountain people"

"We are therefore not in a blank season and we see that customers who leave are smiling," says Jean-Marc Silva.

"The mountain people knew how to welcome them and make them happy because I believe that the French need it."

A need reinforced by the uncertainty about the restrictions currently in force, with the imminent threat of a re-containment.

"It was also played a lot at the last minute, almost at the last second" in terms of reservations, says the leader.

"

Today, our economic model is focused on skiing

"

To ensure this rather correct attendance with regard to forecasts, the stations were able to count on a new clientele.

"People do not necessarily come for skiing. This year we have also seen neo-mountain dwellers, newcomers that we have managed to attract and that we hope to retain when the ski lifts will be able to reopen", wants to believe Jean-Marc Silva. 

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Fall in turnover

But if the stations have limited the breakage in terms of filling rate, they have not been able to avoid a real plunge in their turnover.

It has declined nationally by around 90%, with many promotions and discounted offers to attract customers and occupy cabins.

"Today, our economic model is focused on skiing. Fortunately, because it is a virtuous system that works well," said the manager.

"But we see that when we remove the ski, which weighs only 15 to 17% of the price of the average skier's basket, the economy does not work. We will have to push the seasons, go further, build loyalty, encourage people to rediscover their mountain. We need this alpine skiing economy because it creates investment and mountain dynamics. "

Will the latter relaunch for the 2022 season, once the brunt of the current crisis has passed?