Less snow and less cold, but things aren’t so bad in Catalan resorts

A few hours after the closure of all slopes, on this Easter Monday, the Cerdan and Kapsir mountains find a certain calm. From now on, only tourists on skis or on foot will have a say while the structures are dismantled, winterized and then inspected after four months of intense activity. The operators of six stations have been released. They finished the season well in a challenging, even hostile climate, with much less snow and cold days and nights to make up for it.

More delicate for the Trio Pyrénées

“A significant part of the activity was carried out on degraded slopes, most often on artificial snow. But this was the only solution to meet demand. And at Neiges Catalanes, our clientele is mainly skiers, especially in January, and participation in the end-of-year celebrations is more varied, festive and family-oriented,” explains Michel Pudad, President of Neiges Catalanes. which announces a figure of 27 million euros for this season, from 4 December to Easter Monday, compared to 30 million euros in 2023 (-11%).

According to this assessment, the Font-Romeu station, operated by Altiservice as part of the delegation of public services, represents the greatest potential with an initial turnover estimate of 15.5 million euros. “We are approaching 520,000 ski days. This is the second result in the history of the resort, not far from the absolute record of 2023,” notes Claude Alvarez, emphasizing the technical competence of his teams in snow processing, supported, however, by the artillery of more than 500 snow guns. guns supplied by Lac des Bouillouses.

Results are less good at Angles ski lifts (turnover €8 million compared to €9 million in 2023): -15%, but resort attendance is roughly maintained (-3%) thanks to the diversification of leisure and non-ski activities. what winter visitors love.

The accounting situation is much more delicate for the Trio Pyrénées, a group of three stations (Port-Puymorants, Cambrai d’Az, Formiger) run by local authorities (department, region, municipalities), indicating a drop in cash flows. registered at the foot of the tracks at 20% with the need for public shareholders to plug holes in the financial track. But the lifts, equipped to carry bikes and tourists, will resume operation at the beginning of July, making the Catalan mountain suitable for both seasons.

Tops:

Font-Romeu cable car.

Snowtubbing (tubing) in Font-Romeu.

Baths of Angleo in Les Angles.

Mixed gondola in Formighera.

Monorail sleigh ride in Les Angles.

New ski lockers in Font-Rome and Les Angles.

Mountain biking in the snow.

Shows and entertainment at Les Angles.

Dips:

Skiing at all resorts and at Nordic Capcir. There is no snow for weeks.

Balance of the Pyrenees Trio.

Snow cover in the upper part of Cambrai d’Az.

Snow cover in the lower part of Formiger.