SnowNews

French Ski Investment Breaks Records

Fed up with French lft lines and poor snow. Well it seems resorts are taking action. Investments in French ski resorts broke all records last season totalling 348.5 million euros, an increase of 7.5% compared to 2003. 60% of the cash went into improving ski lifts, 20% snow making and 20% work on ski runs enabling skiing at lower snow depths. Ski lift receipts have increased over the last 7 years, increasing from 618 million euros in 1997 to 919.5 million euros in 2004. France hopes to overtake Austrian ski areas this year.



80% of the investment was in the Alps, the big ski resorts budget 24% of their turnover for improvements. However for small resorts this figure rises to closer to 50% in order to keep up, but this is only possible because they receive state and european aid. The Vosges is worrying professionals where only 17% of receipts are reinvested. 69 new lifts were built this winter, including the Marmottes III at l'Alpe d'Huez. 26 high speed six seater chairs were built. Pomagalski has 62% of the French market followed by Dopplemayer (17%) and Leitner (16%), the remaining 5% is shared by other lift makers.

posted by davidof @ 11:49 AM