With a slightly retro image of high-altitude restaurants, a «Jet set» image has developed over the last 15 years. Despite the noise pollution, which is strongly criticized by locals, these new bars are sold out and attract a younger clientele with Electronic music and techno music.

The menu in these high-altitude bars has evolved from the traditional hot chocolate or mulled wine to a bottle of rosé or champagne, sometimes served in VIP areas.

Electronic music and techno music sont With a slightly retro image of high-altitude restaurants, a «Jet set» image has developed over the last 15 years. Despite the noise pollution, which is strongly criticized by locals, these new bars are sold out and attract a younger clientele.

As in Venice or Barcelona, many skiers find themselves on the same slopes. Given the increasingly scarce snow cover at lower altitudes, resorts perched between 2,000 and 2,500 fill up. Parking lots are full, checkouts are crowded, and there are long queues at restaurants and lifts.

As in Venice or Barcelona, many skiers find themselves on the same slopes. Given the increasingly scarce snow cover at lower altitudes, resorts perched between 2,000 and 2,500 fill up. Parking lots are full, checkouts are crowded, and there are long queues at restaurants and lifts.

throughput, ski professionals have been running prevention and information campaigns for holidaymakers for many years. By way of example, the first communication campaign to encourage skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets dates back to 2013, and was entitled «Ski with a helmet».

throughput, ski professionals have been running prevention and information campaigns for holidaymakers for many years. By way of example, the first communication campaign to encourage skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets dates back to 2013, and was entitled «Ski with a helmet».

A tourist’s dog proudly wears little booties specially designed for the snow, commonly known as «snow boots for dogs». These non-slip boots are becoming increasingly popular. According to Ipsos, 44% of dog owners take their faithful companions on vacation. In «dog-friendly» resorts, access to the slopes is generally forbidden. However, they are allowed on leashes on pedestrian routes, and can even take the cable car.

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) reports that over 3.6 million pairs of alpine skis were sold in the year to March 2023 by brands to retailers and distributors. Alpine sales are up overall, with rando and nordic sales down slightly. The skiwear market is set for significant growth in the Asia-Pacific region, thanks to increased spending by the younger generation on recreational sports activities. This increase will be devoted to the development of ski sports infrastructures by governments in developing countries such as India and China.

For six months in 2018, French consultancy Poprock examined the relationship of a panel of 12,000 French young people aged 15-25 with outdoor activities. When you talk to them about mountains, the “digital natives” conjure up Heidi and old mountain references... References from their parents or grandparents. It doesn’t make them dream, it doesn’t thrill them, and they even find it a bit aberrant in these times of climate disruption.

Tourists taking a midday break on their balcony. The situation on the mountain real estate market mirrors that in the cities, where prices are stagnating and the trend is towards the construction of more «luxury»-oriented housing. The studio-cabin concept no longer inspires as much, and new buyers are opting instead for investments in T2 or T3 apartments.

A visitor observes the landscape from the top of the Bellecôte glacier in La Plagne at 3110 meters. Snow cover remains the main criterion for attracting visitors. Specialists predict that by 2100, just over 20 resorts will still be open in France, while only half of all resorts will still be operational by 2050.

A skier and a pedestrian take a break on the resort benches at après-ski time. One of the strongest aspects of downhill skiing is the sociability of family and friends. Only 14% of skiers claim to ski alone. This conviviality is expressed by the fact that 61% ski with their family, 24% as a couple, and 43% as friends. We’re also seeing the emergence of agencies organizing weekend or week-long get-togethers for singles. Concepts from seaside resorts are coming to the mountains.

A skier and a pedestrian take a break on the resort benches at après-ski time. One of the strongest aspects of downhill skiing is the sociability of family and friends. Only 14% of skiers claim to ski alone. This conviviality is expressed by the fact that 61% ski with their family, 24% as a couple, and 43% as friends. We’re also seeing the emergence of agencies organizing weekend or week-long get-togethers for singles. Concepts from seaside resorts are coming to the mountains.

With climate change bringing violent winds, ski slope safety teams are redoubling their vigilance. This meteorological aspect is quite new and is worrying the resorts.

A man from the slopes security is checking and securing the place. With climate change bringing violent winds, ski slope safety teams are redoubling their vigilance. This meteorological aspect is quite new and is worrying the resorts.

A rare pedestrian pauses at the top of the gondola at 3110 meters. The competition between resorts is once again to offer the highest possible skiing. It’s a sure bet for the future and a convincing image for ski enthusiasts. But it’s also making many conservation groups cringe. A teenager looks at his phone at the arrival point of the gondola lift at 3110 m.

Resorts’ policies to develop and retain their clientele have highlighted the fact that local cuisine and crafts have become important factors in tourism development and image, especially since the ski industry has been singled out as a polluter.

A first-aider stands by as the helicopter arrives to pick up an injured person. To avoid overloading hospitals during school vacations, mountain professionals have launched a prevention campaign called «SKI COOL». The aim: is to prevent and inform, to limit the number of ski resort-related traumatic injuries, which are the usual cause of seasonal overload in the hospital sector. Every winter, an average of 130,000 to 140,000 people are injured in ski resorts in France. The development of «SKI COOL» trails offers «quiet» circuits and crossings of ski areas on blue pistes only, a way of reducing accidents and encouraging all-around skiers.

With a more urban clientele and unique year-round stays, resorts are creating dedicated areas to optimize time spent on the resort.

In resorts equipped with toboggan and bobsled runs, such as La Plagne in France, the attraction is in full swing every day after skiing hours. A customer waits patiently before the descent, announced in 2 minutes. To win the loyalty of tourists, every hour spent in the resort must be used for fun, discovery, and the pleasure of altitude.

Dining room in a vacation resort at dinnertime. Winter sports take center stage in the media, not only because tourism is an economic issue, but also because skiing is one of the most popular activities among the more affluent categories. The number of visitors to ski resorts remains stable because the categories who enjoy the snow are not affected by the difficulties in the job market, and because inflation has little impact on their spending levels. All in all, resort revenues continue to grow.

A child plays with his toboggan under the «Le France» building in the resort of La Plagne. The «France» ski lockers also date back to the 1960s. In the 1960s, architect Michel Bezançon designed a modern concrete-and-wood complex at the foot of the slopes, with integrated shopping arcades. The concept of integrating everything was a novelty.

Taking into account topographical and geological constraints, as well as economic requirements, architect Michel Bezançon chose to construct a unique building with a capacity of around 2,500 beds. Also known as the «Paquebot des neiges» (snow liner), it is located in La Plagne and embodies the aesthetic prowess of 1960s mountain architecture. The concentration of buildings to free up space and a collective, functional approach to leisure activities were the hallmarks of the period. On April 14, 2008, the building was listed as a 20th-century architectural heritage site.