It is a recurring problem, especially at the start of the season when the snow pack is thin. Drivers, especially with 4x4s and quadbikes driving on cross country trails despite them being closed to traffic. The Ain department's gendarmerie have appealed for witnesses after a number of cross country ski areas were trashed over the last few days. They have encouraged members of the public to contact them if they witness any drivers disobeying closures.
Same situation in the Vosges at Markstein where the resort is complaining about 3000 euros of lost ticket sales. Here drivers broke down barriers as well as chewing up the ski trails. Someone was able to film one of the vehicles, a 2006 Landrover Freelander diesel registration plate AQ-615-EC.
The Vosges gendarmerie say they are identifying other vehicles thanks to video cameras on the access roads to the ski area.
