“What reassures us, and also worries us, is that we are not the only ones. We are all in the same boat.” And the high country and resort project manager for the Pays de Grasse, Damien Matteoli, is not completely wrong. Even if some resorts are doing better than others, in terms of snowfall, the start of the season is everywhere with very low snow levels, or even none at all.
“There is desperately no snow and no temperature to produce”cowardly, resigned, the mayor of Roubion and president of the joint union, Philip Bruno, who has still not been able to open his ski area. “Cross-country skiing is no longer practicable, everything has melted, regrets Damien Matteoli for Gréolières-les-Neiges. But we have four open green slopes, as well as the Piou-Piou area. It’s more than enough to enjoy and get back into shape with a magnificent view.”
“The slopes are pleasant to ski”
On the Valberg and La Colmiane side, there is a little more snow and therefore open slopes. 14 for the Cians station (out of 56) and 8 on the La Tinée side (out of 21). “Everything is fine, assures the director of La Colmiane, Yannick Garin, like from the beginning. We have more people than usual, the timing of the holidays this year helps greatly and we have very good feedback on the quality of the snow.”“The slopes are pleasant to ski, it’s really relaxing skiing, agrees the director of the Valberg tourism center, Alexis Barrois. We hope that the temperature will drop but our objective is to keep these fourteen slopes open.”
The La Colmiane zip line. (PL Photo)
Zip line, explore game, hikes, etc.
In terms of activities, these four resorts have known for a long time that it is necessary to focus on diversification to offer an alternative to alpine skiing. Zip line in La Colmiane, snow golf and fat bike in Valberg, escape game et explore game (track game through the resort) in Gréolières-les-Neiges, themed walks in Roubion. Without forgetting the hikes, on foot or on snowshoes, ski touring, cross-country skiing (in Beuil-Les-Launes) and all the entertainment and activities offered everywhere. “This is not new for us, we are moving in the direction of four-season tourism with the diversification of activities”recalls Alexis Barrois.
