The tourists were finally present in the ski resorts of Alpes-Maritimes. However, the closure of the ski lifts is still being felt in the revenue figures. Two million in losses in December, according to the director of the Auron and Isola 2000 resorts.
The Valberg ski resort in Alpes-Maritimes is seeing good attendance despite the closure of the ski lifts; it is not the disaster that was anticipated.
The Valberg resort and those in Mercantour (Isola 2000, Auron, Saint Dalmas le Selvage) recorded a positive attendance record this Christmas holiday: 50% of accommodations were rented the first week (compared to 70% usually) and between 80 and 90% the second week. The clientele is mainly local and family-oriented.
To offset the closure of the ski lifts, the resorts are promoting other activities: snow volleyball courts in Valberg; dog sledding rides in Isola 2000; the ice rink attracted more people in Auron. This year, tourists were particularly drawn to snowshoeing or ski touring.
Two million euros less in revenue in December (including State aid for the Isola and Auron resorts) for an annual revenue of around 12 million is a significant amount.
