Tatiana Geiselmann, edited by Laura Laplaud 11:24 a.m., October 01, 2022, modified at 11:24 a.m., October 01, 2022

With the first snowfalls already covering the Alps and the ski season due to start in just over a month, winter sports resorts are wondering how to deal with the energy crisis.

The question was notably at the heart of the discussions on Friday, at the end of the Annual Congress of French Ski Areas, in Lyon.

Who says October, also says autumn, and soon winter.

The first snows are already covering the Alpine massifs and the resorts are preparing for the start of the ski season.

But how to deal with the energy crisis?

The question arose at the annual congress of French ski areas in Lyon, where Europe 1 went.

First item of expenditure: grooming the slopes

The grooming of the slopes is the main item of expenditure for ski resorts in terms of energy, confirms Alexandre Maulin, the president of the ski areas of France: "The consumption of a groomer on a night over 8 hours, it is approximately 100 to 250 liters of diesel. So we are now working on eco-driving training to reduce vehicle consumption."

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Another potential saving item is electricity, which is necessary for the ski lifts.

"The first factor is to adapt the speed of the ski lifts according to the crowds. When there are a lot of people, we put the maximum speed, as soon as there is less crowds, we slow down very slightly, and it saves up to 5-10% of electricity", he explains.

But despite these measures, the share of energy should increase from 2 to 15% of the total price of the package.

"We are doing everything not to increase the price of the package more than what had been expected in normal increase", he reassures.

A normal increase which should be lower than inflation of 5.6%, promises Alexandre Maulin.