Free spending French president Francois Mitterand once joked "After me, come the accountants". That seems to be the case when it comes to public funds for ski areas. The regional audit chamber covering the Vosge ski resorst has published a stark report on the finances of Gérardmer, casting fresh uncertainty over the future of the ski are.
According to the auditors, the resort’s financial situation has been “durably degraded.” Even during favorable seasons with abundant snowfall, long openings, and strong visitor numbers, the ski area has failed to reach the €5.7 million in annual revenue needed to repay debts, cover maintenance, and fund investments. Instead, the municipality has had to inject between €1.5 and €2 million per annum to balance the books.
Rising costs, shorter winters
The report highlights soaring energy costs, particularly those linked to artificial snowmaking, as well as the growing impact of climate change. A study cited in the audit warns that by 2035, the majority of the resort’s terrain will face serious operational challenges, threatening its viability even further.
Attempts to find a private operator last year failed when no candidates came forward. The auditors now urge Gérardmer to make a choice: either close the ski area altogether or scale it down to a reduced model that minimizes losses, with municipal subsidies continuing to cover deficits. Recent measures, such as fewer opening days and reduced reliance on snowmaking, are described as insufficient to curb the financial drain.
Closure comes with a price tag
Shutting down the resort, however, would not be a that easy. Gérardmer would still need to pay off the resort's €14 million debt until 2049, and restore ski slopes that sit on private or state-owned land, an expense that remains unquantified. While savings would be made on staff, energy, and rents, the closure would also risk undermining Gérardmer’s local economy.
Gérardmer is the second most important ski area in the Vosges after La Bresse, and auditors note that 73% of the resort’s revenue is reinvested into the local community. Its role as both an economic driver and a showcase for the town will weigh heavily as Gérardmer’s leaders decide its fate, particularly with municipal elections looming in the coming months.
https://pistehors.com/R3wemY0B1g7SdbHcMOnu/french-ski-resorts-on-the-brink