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Ski For Free: French Village's Drastic Money-Saving Plan
24 Dec
Summary
- A French ski resort offers free skiing to cut costs.
- The resort faces a €1 million deficit due to uncertain snowfall.
- Free skiing is projected to cost less than selling passes.
The Saint-Colomban-des-Villards ski resort in the French Alps has opted to make skiing free for the winter season as a measure to combat its growing financial deficit. The village, situated in the Savoie region, has struggled with a €1 million operational deficit over the past two years, significantly impacted by unpredictable snowfall. This situation has strained nearly 40 percent of the town's budget.
This drastic decision stems from the municipality being ordered to drastically reduce operating costs. The closure of the larger Les Sybelles ski area, of which Saint-Colomban-des-Villards was a part, further complicated matters. To avoid a complete shutdown, a reduced ski area with two drag lifts and a children's belt will be offered freely.
Financially, the resort determined that the cost of staffing a ticket office (€36,000-€41,000) exceeded potential revenue from beginner passes (€18,000). The municipality estimates the cost of free skiing at €150,000 to €200,000, a substantial reduction from previous winters. The success of this experiment will be assessed in April to decide its future.
