The ski resorts were waiting for a reopening date at Thursday night's government press conference, but for now, the ski lifts are still at a standstill.
Managers are worried and are calling for authorizations by zones rather than a national ban.
Europe 1 went to the Peyragudes resort in the Pyrenees.
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After two difficult weeks of Christmas holidays, many ski resorts fear they will still be closed for the February holidays.
Considering the health situation, the government confirmed Thursday that the ski resorts would not reopen on the scheduled date, without charting a more reassuring outlook.
"We especially hoped for a calendar, a date, a clear signal that would be given to both operators and customers," laments Laurent Garcia, director of the Peyragudes resort in the Pyrenees, interviewed by Europe 1.
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If he did not expect a reopening on January 7, the professional would have wanted a clearer strategy.
In this region where the virus circulates little, where hospitals are numerous, and the clientele very regional, he would have liked them not to be treated in the same way as a large resort in the Alps.
"We could have a more departmentalized approach, which takes into account the realities of each, consider on a case-by-case basis and why not station by station."
A gradual reopening in ten days?
The snow is exceptional, but skiers and school children are absent.
The station is almost deserted.
“Hope, the more things go, the less there is. I don't even know if there are fifteen cars on the station,” says Olivier, who runs a store selling local products.
He doesn't see how he can get by if the ski lifts don't reopen very quickly.
"We must open as quickly as possible that we can get out, at least February and March," he slips.
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Olivier says he hopes for a gradual reopening in ten days to test health protocols, and to be ready from the first days of the holidays.