Snow cause for concern? French ski resorts dream of white christmas
"Let it snow!" ski resorts across France will be crying this week, as a lack of the white stuff continues to trouble the Alps tourism market. While a Scottish report welcomes almost 1,000 people, according to The Telegraph, in France, resorts have had to push back openings at the start of the season due to a lack of snowfall. Indeed, in Les Arcs, only two lifts were open last week, while as of last Saturday, just 2.5cm of snow had fallen in Meribel, compared to 25cm last year. The Alpine Skiing World Cup has even been moved from Courchevel to Sweden's Are.
"At the moment it is just about okay because the start of the season is never that busy but from next weekend the resorts will be full for Christmas and New Year," instructor Philippe Arnauld told the newspaper.
"If all the ski schools and the holiday making families have only two lifts between them it is going to be chaos and a catastrophe. No significant snowfall, perhaps only a few snowflakes, is predicted between now and Christmas. I have no idea what will happen and how we will manage."
Nonetheless, experts are insisting that there is snow cause for concern.
Jane Best, spokesperson for the Ski Club of Great Britain, says that there are only "small pockets in France affected", while resorts situated at the upper levels are still enjoying snowfall as usual.
Indeed, Peter Hardy, ski correspondent for The Telegraph, advises people to aim high, if they want to find skiing.
"Even if the actual resort is low, make sure you choose a destination where the height of the top lift – 2,500m or higher – ensures some good skiing," he comments.
While concerns may be widespread, though, enthusiasm for ski holidays shows no sign of waning. as the typical skiiers start to take their grandparents with them.
Research commissioned by tour operator Club Med found that 20 per cent of holidaymakers have been skiing with grandparents in recent years, with four in five saying they are considering doing so on their next trip.