France's ski areas are continuing to adapt to the expectations of holidaymakers and the challenges of the climate. In 2024, €568 million will be invested, a slight increase on the €546 million invested in 2023. This dynamic confirms the determination of the resorts to improve the experience of skiers while anticipating changes in the climate.
French resorts have never invested so much in their infrastructure. With 34 % of sales reinvested, they are demonstrating an unprecedented commitment to modernising their resorts.
"What other tourist industry reinvests 34 % of its turnover as French ski area operators are doing this year? A well-considered choice that also relies on Climsnow studies to simulate the state of snow cover in 2050 and 2080 in order to guide investment and adapt to tomorrow's world". underlines Anne Marty, President of Domaines Skiables de France.
While Savoie leads the way with €279.4m of investment, followed by Haute-Savoie (€115.2m) and Isère (€88m), the mid-range mountains are suffering more, with just €1.3m invested in the Massif Central and Jura.
Modernisation of ski lifts
Among these investments, ski lifts remain a priority. A number of emblematic projects have been launched, including the new Jandri cable car in Les 2 Alpes, the restructuring of the TransArc in Les Arcs or the Valléen and Alpin cable cars in Saint-Gervais.
However, the number of new installations is falling: while there were 39 new units in 2016, only 22 were installed in 2024.
At the same time, particular emphasis is being placed on learning mats, with 36 new installations, a record three times higher than the average for the last ten years.
The rise of a new customer base
Trend analysis shows a massive influx of young people into the mountains. According to the Winter Mountain Barometer, more and more 18-24 year-olds (+4 points) and 25-34 year-olds (+9 points) are taking up winter sports.
The phenomenon is also affecting more experienced skiers, with a sharp increase in the 35-49 age group (+8 points).
In response to this growing demand, the resorts are strengthening their infrastructure for leisure and non-skiing activities.
Investment in these facilities has jumped by 24 % in five years, and even 56 % in ten years. In a decade, €109m has been spent on leisure, compared with just €44m between 2005 and 2014.
A forward-looking vision
The boom in summer activities, particularly mountain biking and hiking, is forcing resorts to rethink the use of ski lifts throughout the year.
More and more ski resorts are developing easy access for pedestrians, enabling them to discover the mountains in a different way.
In this context, these investments represent a strategic lever for the future of the resorts.
In the run-up to the 2030 Winter Olympics, France is showing that it is ready to strengthen its appeal and offer an ever more innovative and sustainable mountain environment.
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