Industry News
The Hautacam ski resort, operating in the French Pyrenees since 1972, has announced it will be closing its slopes, permanently ending winter downhill skiing. Local authorities confirmed the decision this week, citing three consecutive winters of severe snow shortages and mounting financial losses as the reason.
At 4,900 to 5,900 feet (1,500 to 1,800 meters), Hautacam is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, accessible prices (day tickets cost $30), and 16 miles (25 kilometers) of ski runs. But in recent years, the resort has struggled to stay open, with snow becoming a rare sight and the ski season shrinking to just a few days in some winters. The financial toll has been steep: the resort’s deficit ballooned to €1.44 million this year, more than double previous years, forcing local governments to reconsider their support.
In a joint statement, resort officials and local leaders pointed to the “direct and significant negative financial impact” of repeated snow failures. They questioned the viability of continuing ski operations with no guarantee of snow. “Like many mid-altitude resorts, Hautacam is dependent on global warming trends. It does not make sense to continue winter skiing operations, with the significant financial risks involved,” the statement read.
Rather than shuttering entirely, Hautacam will pivot to a “four-season model,” offering year-round activities such as rail sledding, buoy descents, hiking, cycling, and nature experiences. A small ski beginner’s area will be maintained during rare snowy periods, but the era of traditional alpine skiing has ended.
The move follows similar transitions at other mid-altitude resorts in France. Notre-Dame-du-Pré in Savoie and Métabief in the Jura have also closed or drastically reduced ski operations after years of unreliable snowfall. Industry experts warn that up to 30% of French ski areas could face closure by 2050 if current climate trends persist.
Not everyone is embracing the change. Local business owners, ski instructors, and residents have voiced concerns about the economic fallout. A petition titled “No to the closure of the Hautacam ski resort” has gathered more than 1,200 signatures, with supporters warning that ending winter skiing could devastate the valley’s economy and erode its heritage. Many highlight Hautacam’s role as an accessible, family-oriented destination in a region where skiing is increasingly seen as an elite pursuit.
“We are opposed to this closure that will prevent many locals from coming to ski at low prices in a family ski resort near their home,” wrote one signatory. Others pointed to the loss of a “human-sized resort with affordable prices” and questioned whether year-round activities could offset the loss of winter tourism.
Hautacam’s transition is being watched closely across the Alps and Pyrenees as a test case for how mountain communities can adapt to a warming climate. While some see opportunity in diversification, others worry about the loss of identity and economic stability that skiing has long provided.
Local authorities insist they are committed to preserving Hautacam’s role as a vibrant, welcoming destination. “We are building a new Hautacam whose face will change,” the joint statement concluded. “We invest so that this magnificent belvedere is always alive and that it reinforces its vocation as an accessible, fun and welcoming family space for all.”
