stations forced to reinvent themselves

The largest resort in the Southern Alps covered in a white coat. This year, snow arrived without delay in Serre-Chevalier (Hautes-Alpes). Trails as far as the eye can see, in the middle of larch forests, enough to offer you a nice break. When the ski lifts open, we jostle to be the first. But winter sports have never been so threatened by climate change. The universe of skioften singled out for its negative impact on the environment, now wants to set an example.

Ecological alternatives

Here, a small revolution has begun. Two wind turbines around the slopes, solar panels at the top of the chairlifts. As a result, 30% of the energy needed by the area is produced in the station. But there is one subject that continues to be controversial: the use of snow cannons, which consume a lot of water. In Serre-Chevalier, we focus on new technologies. Thanks to a drone, the domain skiable manages to know precisely which slopes need artificial snow. The snow cannons only turn if necessary and the movement of the snow groomers is further limited. Mid-mountain resorts, threatened by the gradual disappearance of snow, are increasingly diversifying their activities in an attempt to survive.