The misunderstanding and disagreement are growing between the government and the mountain world. Elected officials and ski industry professionals, who challenge the decision deemed hasty to postpone until January the opening (or reopening for some resorts) of ski lifts, reaffirmed their mobilization on Monday after a new exchange with the Prime Minister.
“The discussion this morning left no room for negotiation regarding our demands. We will not give up. The stakes are too high for our 250 resorts. 18,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect jobs are at risk, with thousands of people and families threatened with precariousness,” declared the presidents of the National Association of Mountain Resort Mayors (ANMSM) and the French Ski Areas Association (DSF), Jean-Luc Boch and Alexandre Maulin, in a joint statement.
“The mobilization will continue in the coming days, with actions planned on Thursday, December 3, in Paris and in numerous resorts,” add the two leaders.
For his part, Charles Ange Ginรฉsy, president of the Departmental Council, involved in more than one aspect in this increasingly sensitive issue, and who participated in the video conference with the Prime Minister, confirmed his criticism of the government’s decisions: “During the meeting, I asked the Prime Minister to be able to analyze the health situation daily, which seems to be improving according to information from the general health directorate. […] Indeed, the work done in recent weeks by all parties has made it possible to propose a strict health protocol in the resorts. […] Finally, I especially deplore that the state has not taken into account the specificity of our valleys: there should have been a consideration mass by mass.”
His conclusion is blunt: “In these difficult times, I ask the government to provide quick, clear, and explicit answers.”
The discussion will continue on December 11. Until then, pressure from elected officials and representatives of this economic sector will persist.
