Though French ski resorts have to speed up their transition efforts, Domaines Skiables de France (DSF), the French Chamber of Ski Space Operators, stories that attendance at these resorts is secure.
Within the 2023/2024 season, 51.9 million skier days have been recorded, reflecting a 2% enhance in comparison with the earlier season. France stays among the many prime three international locations for snowboarding, trailing solely the USA, which reported 60.4 million skier days (an 8% lower), and forward of Austria, which had 50.1 million skier days (no change).
65% of French Prospects
In response to DSF, the French ski cross is, on common, the most cost effective on the earth—11% cheaper than the Austrian ski cross and 17% lower than the Swiss ski cross. Day and half-day ski passes account for over 1 / 4 of all ski cross utilization, making up 28%; passes for brief stays (2 to five days) signify 14%, and weekly passes account for 42%.
The French mountains are primarily frequented by home prospects, who represent 65% of tourists, whereas 35% are overseas prospects, primarily from Europe. Amongst overseas guests, probably the most outstanding teams come from Nice Britain (12%), Belgium (6%), and the Netherlands (5%).
Final season, the common income per skier day was 34.7 euros (adjusted for worth variations). This can be a notable enhance from 22.9 euros in 2000 and 32.7 euros in 2020, simply earlier than the Covid pandemic. Every winter, roughly 10 billion euros are spent on the French ski resorts. For each euro spent on a ski cross, prospects usually pay a further 6 euros, totaling about 7 euros spent in resorts. This demonstrates that snowboarding stays economically viable.
French Ski Resorts Wager on Synthetic Snow
Immediately, many resorts worldwide depend on synthetic snow to maintain their economies. In France, the protection fee of ski areas utilizing synthetic snow is 40%, 54% in Switzerland and 70% in Austria. This reliance is usually highlighted in discussions about local weather change and growing water stress.
On the identical time, French ski areas are aiming for carbon neutrality by 2037, which will likely be supported by the introduction of hydrogen-powered snow groomers within the areas.
The ski business employs 18,500 staff, with 22% being everlasting and 78% seasonal workers. Of the employees, 54% work in ski raise operations, 27% on the slopes, and 19% in administrative roles. Total, 120,000 jobs depend upon the operation of ski areas, together with positions in retail, lodging, ski colleges, and extra.