French ski resort uses helicopter to transport snow to lower slopes

18 February, 2020
French ski resort uses helicopter to transport snow to lower slopes
Too little snowfall in the French ski resort of Luchon-Superbagnères led officials to helicopter snow from the top of the mountains to the low slopes.

Local authorities at Luchon-Superbagneres in the southwest of France told AFP they made a decision to have extra snow helicoptered directly into three lower areas where snow cover was short.

Around 50 tonnes of snow was extracted from the higher slopes to lower altitude runs in the two-hour operation. It reportedly cost between $5,500 and $6,500 (Dh20,000 and Dh23,800).

The response to the reduced snowfall was criticised as by environmentalists.

The neighborhood council commented that the move was a worthwhile investment to ensure the slopes remained open through the busy French half-term school holidays.

Domaines Skiable, the professional organisation for ski area operators in France, said on twitter that the action had not been usual practice and that the committee would meet at the end of the winter season to discuss the problem further.

France is experiencing an unusually moderate winter, which includes resulted in low snowfall in lots of ski areas across the country.

It's not the first time helicopters have been used to transport snow from higher altitudes to lower resorts, similar operations have been completed in the French Alps. 
Source: www.thenational.ae
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