Carole Ferry, edited by Laura Laplaud 07:08 am, December 04, 2021
After a dark year in 2020, the ski areas are opening their slopes this weekend.
But in a health context that remains tense, it remains to be seen whether French and foreign skiers will be there.
For the moment, some areas are already experiencing a booking rate close to their 2019 level.
Fifth wave, third dose and appearance of the Omicron variant on French territory, the health situation undoubtedly gives rise to fears of new restrictions.
If the milestone of 2,000 people in intensive care was crossed on Friday, the government does not rule out announcing new measures next week such as the closure of Christmas markets or the return of gauges in certain establishments.
A situation which does not worry the ski resorts which open this weekend.
A booking rate similar to 2019
The good news: snow is present from this weekend on all massifs and skiers too. About thirty areas are opening their slopes this weekend, after a ski-free season last year, and are already experiencing an occupancy rate of 80% in Aurès, La Rosière or Serre-Chevalier for the week of the day of the year. A week that is even almost full at Alpe d'Huez.
If the reservation rate is similar to winter 2019, there is however a little more wait-and-see policy in reservations but very few cancellations.
On the other hand, ski resorts are wondering if their foreign customers will be there this winter, as explained by the director of France Montagne, Jean-Marc Silva.
"On the side of international customers, there is the constraint of travel and access between countries."
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"Things are changing a little every day. What reassures them is our good snowfall, our opening even early but there are these traffic constraints between countries which is important. day by day, "he adds.
But from this weekend, you will have to think of one more thing, that of having your health pass with you to use the ski lifts.