End of February lifts had registered nearly 4

In stations, exceptional snow limited the effects of the crisis. The average of the past four years, small stations have finished the season with an increase of 35.6 of their attendance averages of 18.1, 10.9 large and very large 3. If they build on April and may for the bar, their weight will weigh on the results. In France, 30 major stations (all located in the Northern Alps) achieve 70 of the turnover of the profession and 8 total almost half. This explains that, despite dramatic increases, including the Massif central and Vosges (respectively 49 and 26), Laurent Reynaud, Director of the national Union of the cable cars of France (SNTF) expects an "identical to that of the season attendance last with 55 million days-skiers. The turnover should as him remain close to that of the 2007-2008 season, which had totalled EUR 1.08 billion.

In the meantime, the medium-sized operators fired their PIN of the game. Like the Rémy Leisure Group, positioned on this niche, which announced an increase of 10 of its turnover, EUR 44 million, with 30 in the Vosges and 5 in the Alps at Saint-François-Longchamp. "Medium-sized stations which were put on the market of the attractive offers at the level of prices and services benefited from the arrival of a family who renounced the sun destinations and clientele who came for a long time to ski," explains Didier Arino, Director of Protourisme.

Alienation of the British

On the other hand, large stations have been the first effects of the crisis. Three parameters have played against them: the good general snow of the massive, a very concentrated European school calendar and the devaluation of the pound sterling. At Courchevel, where the British are 44 of the customer, their alienation, and the Russians, is strongly felt. If the lifts are not the most affected and should, except last minute relief, completing the season with a drop of 1 point to the turnover of 2008 (57 million), businesses, restaurants and ski schools "have been erosions of 30 of their sales", said Claude Faure, Chairman of the society of three valleys (S3 V).

In the Vosges mountains, with a snowpack formed as early as November, the winter season will be known early, allowing professionals to save very good results, at the level of the reference season 2005-2006. Occupancy rate is established on average to 70, with peaks at 90. Operators believe have taken advantage of a change in consumer behaviour, which, due to the crisis, preferred the proximity in their choice of destination. The season, excellent in the Jura massif with the exceptional combined snow and Sun, should constitute the reference for years to come. To redheads, the furnished posted an attendance of 100 in February. Activity Alpine skiing has recorded an increase of 20 from the previous season very correct.

After two difficult years, 38 French Pyrenees ski stations have also benefited from the excellent snow. End of February, lifts had registered nearly 4.5 million day-skiers and 85 million euros of turnover, according to the Pyrenees Confederation of tourism. Final turnover could reach the record of the 2005-2006 season or EUR 100 million.

In the Southern Alps, the results of the season should be displayed in increase from last year, but excellent. The crisis also appears to benefit small stations, which have posted full. But aliens declining attendance mark a flat in the General said.

In Auvergne, with 1.3 million days-skiers, lifts realize a turnover of 19 million, superior of 75 the average of the last four seasons. In addition to the exceptional climatic conditions, professionals explain this infatuation by "family nature" of these stations "on a human scale", their proximity to large tanks of population (Ile-de-France, Grand West...), better communication and the result of recent investments.