Ghost Ski Resorts Rise as Mountains Reclaim Old Ways

As global heating advances, France faces a landscape of "ghost stations" with over 186 ski resorts permanently shuttered. The Céüze resort, after 85 years of operation, exemplifies this trend, with its closure in 2018 due to unreliable snowfall. The cost of operation, estimated at €450,000 annually, became unsustainable, forcing authorities to consider closure over expensive artificial snow solutions.

These abandoned sites pose environmental risks, as decaying infrastructure containing transformers, asbestos, and motor oils seeps into the soil and water. Mountain Wilderness is campaigning for the removal of this waste to allow nature to reclaim the Alps, designated as Natura 2000 areas. While French law mandates ski lift removal, it largely applies to newer installations, leaving much older infrastructure to degrade in situ.

Despite the environmental concerns, ecological recovery is evident at Céüze, with native plants and wildlife returning. The deconstruction of Céüze, which began on November 4, 2025, used helicopters to minimize impact. This situation mirrors challenges faced by other resorts globally, raising questions about preserving natural landscapes versus memorializing past human activity in the mountains.