| The 2006/7 winter season was the warmest | | | | due to the entrenched public belief that |
| since 1950 with, according to Météo | | | | there was no snow in the alps many skiers |
| France, average temperatures 2.1 degrees | | | | have stayed at home. |
| higher than the seasonal normal. This makes | | | | |
| 2006/7 one of the hottest winters in France | | | | With the threat of global warming turning |
| since 1950 including those of 1989/90 and | | | | into a reality the chances are that we?ll see |
| 1974/75 both of which had temperatures of two | | | | a repeat of this seasons uneven snow |
| degrees above the seasonal norm. This has | | | | distribution in the future. The problem, |
| meant that rain/snow limits have been higher | | | | therefore, is one of altitude. Precipitation |
| this year than most winters, generally | | | | levels were no lower than average, it's just |
| hovering around 1300m in February, but as | | | | that any snow that fell on lower lying slopes |
| high as 2000-2500 at the start of the season. | | | | was frequently washed away by the rain which |
| As a result of this resorts situated below | | | | followed. |
| 1500m suffered with little snow cover on the | | | | |
| lower slopes and the impossibility of making | | | | So what does this mean for the future of |
| artificial snow, as temperatures were too | | | | skiing? Many ski areas below 1500m will not |
| high, resulting in many resorts having less | | | | be able to survive, or will have to |
| than half their normal snow base on their | | | | diversify; so either those at high altitude |
| lower slopes in February - although this | | | | such as Val Thorens, Chamonix or Zermatt, or |
| situation was rectified in March with above | | | | the super domains such as The Three Valleys |
| average precipitation than normal. | | | | or The Portes du Soleil will survive. Skiers |
| | | | will more and more have to take advantage of |
| The British media certainly painted a bleak | | | | the prevailing conditions which poses |
| picture of the snow conditions in the alps. | | | | additional problems for big resorts who take |
| However, reports of the death of the European | | | | on their staff for fixed contracts. Perhaps |
| ski industry were greatly over exaggerated | | | | more people will take up cross country skiing |
| and, although the season started off badly, | | | | and ski mountaineering, and sales in snow |
| it improved at altitude with ski areas above | | | | shoes are increasing. |
| 1800m enjoying good skiing conditions. But | | | | |