How many winter seasons does this small, confidential resort still have ahead of it? Val Pelens, managed by the municipality of Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, in the Haut Var valley, opens this weekend.
According to the Climsnow study on the future of resorts in the Southern Alps, commissioned by the Region in 2021, snow will soon be the exception more than the rule for Val Pelens, one of the most threatened resorts in the department by climate change.
The mayor of Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, Jean-Claude Autheman, knows this well. But the municipality wants to maintain the activity until the end.
Val Pelens is an unknown resort…
It is a very small family domain managed by communal management. A few years ago, we had asked to be integrated into the mixed union of Valberg, very mainly financed by the Department. But the cakes are getting harder and harder to share, and we weren’t allowed in.
What is the benefit of being part of a mixed union?
Funding. The station is run by the municipality. All the stations, including the big ones, would be in deficit without the mixed syndicates. Investments are so important… We, for example, don’t have snow guns. We comply with the provisions of natural snow, which is increasingly difficult. We adapt. If we had artificial snow cannons, we might open longer, like everyone else. But it is true that we are a family resort, which attracts regulars, people from the upper Var valley, with extremely low prices.
Why didn’t it develop?
Val Pelens was first chosen as the resort in the upper Var valley. But political movements meant that it was Valberg that developed. However, we have an interesting altitude (1,700 meters on average), but we had to make adjustments. The Department chose Valberg, who has more access than us, it’s true.
A study commissioned by the Region in 2021 does not predict a bright future for Val Pelens…
This study was meticulously answered. It is worrying: practically all stations are experiencing difficulties. In addition to the decrease in snow cover, there is another element: to make snow, you need water and cold. Last year, in Valberg, for example, there were difficulties with the water supply. This is a real concern for mountain communities.
At your level, has the question of the end of the activity arisen?
The question arose of what to do. But the role of snow is so important for maintaining activities in the valleys… We are forced to continue, otherwise there is nothing left. We try to balance as well as possible, but each year, we owe a few tens of thousands of euros in the budget. Even if we stop everything, we would have charges that would remain: the communal inn might no longer operate, for example. At the time, we consulted the elected representatives of the valley. They told us that they were in favor of maintaining it, because it benefits the surrounding municipalities.
Practical information
The Val Pelens station opens this Saturday. It has 7 slopes, green and blue, and two ski lifts. The ski lifts will operate from 10 a.m.
A reception point will be provided by the Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes Val-Pelens Omnisports Culture and Leisure Club at the Auberge des Aiguilles.
It will be possible to rent winter sports equipment and eat lunch.
Ski lift prices: a child’s day is 11 euros; the adult day at 18 euros.
Informations : 06.03.49.84.95.
