environment
‘Ghost resorts’: as hundreds of ski slopes lie abandoned, will nature reclaim the Alps?
With the snow line edging higher, 186 French ski resorts have shut, while global heating threatens dozens more
TL;DR
- Céüze ski resort, operational for 85 years, closed in 2018 as unreliable snowfall due to global heating made it financially unviable.
- Over 186 ski resorts in France have permanently closed, creating 'ghost stations' with abandoned infrastructure.
- Abandoned ski infrastructure, including pylons and sheds, can contaminate the environment with hazardous materials.
- Dismantling Céüze ski resort began in 2025, with lifts airlifted out to minimize environmental impact, costing €123,000.
- French law mandates ski lift removal but only for those built after 2017, leaving most older infrastructure to decay.
- Early signs of ecological recovery are visible at Céüze, with native plants and berries returning, benefiting local wildlife.
- The debate continues on whether abandoned resorts should be memorialized or returned to a wild state.
- Climate change threatens numerous ski resorts, with research suggesting many risk insufficient snow with even minor global temperature increases.
- Despite the resort's closure, the area remains active with locals engaging in winter sports and businesses adapting to new uses.