 Poster: A snowHead
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l'Alpe du Grand Serre n'ouvrira pas cet hiver
la décision a été prise ce vendredi 4 octobre
This is a little resort really close to Grenoble, quite stunning news and very worrying
This is the shocking news of this Friday evening, October 5. At the end of a vote that we knew was crucial, the Communauté de commune de la Matheysine approved by 48 votes to 12 the closure of the Alpe du Grand Serre ski resort.
More here
https://www.skipass.com/news/l-alpe-du-grand-serre-fermeture-38.html
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Weathercam, very sad news.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@davidof, might have been touched upon but certainly not confirmed 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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"locals not optimistic, think it is better to get out of alpine skiing"
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Anecdotal, but I was in Sixt in early September. The chalet owner, when I asked how the '24 ski season had gone (I meant regarding chalet rentals), replied that it had been decided by the council (commune?) that if there was not good snow, and by association good visitor numbers in 2025, then the lifts would be closed and dismantled.
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@Charliegolf, does Sixt have any lifts to close?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@under a new name, Yeah, they really do! Ancient 2 seaters and drags; and at least 2 ticket booths. It lived off the long blue "Cascades" run from the very top of Flaine. But that is nearly always closed all season long these days.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Alpinebear, good find / post !
This from a mate when I posted in a WhatsApp group about it....
"Shame, we’ve got great memories of skiing there. Brilliant tiny place. One of our contacts was buying a place in the resort a few years back."
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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That is a shame. I visited Alpe du Grand Serre in January 2022 and really liked it.
But there was so little snowmaking and surrounded by better-known resorts with more comfortable lifts - I can see how it would be vulnerable.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Mon 7-10-24 9:30; edited 1 time in total
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It's sad, but if it becomes unprofitable what exactly is the alternative option?
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You know it makes sense.
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On the face of it I would have thought this type of resort would be fairly resilient to rises in electricity prices and inflation?
Its lifts looks to be predominantly Poma tows which are frugal to run (22kw to 90kw- less than the average car!) and only require one operator. Their cost of maintenance will be low and they will have paid for themselves long ago so won’t be carrying any debt there. Also they don’t make a lot of snow so shouldnt have big bills there either? Their Ticket prices must be competitive so I assume their closure comes largely down to lack of snow, lack of ticket sales and perhaps a shrinking skier market?
From a skiing perspective we are losing some of the most interesting ski runs which tend to be at the bottom of the mountains rather than the tops. I wonder to what extent a future hybrid volunteer/ professional management arrangement aiming at memberships ( like a Uk golf or ski club) might be able to run some of the simpler lifts eg on weekends when there is snow ?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Just to add, when SATA first became involved with running the lifts at Alpe du Grand Serre I seem to remember the theory being that having an easily accessible, cheaper resort as a sister resort to Alpe d'Huez would help to get younger people hooked on the sport and then they would be attracted to "move up" to visiting the bigger place.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sadly climate change is inevitably going to mean further gentrification of snowsports. The family resorts (closer to centres of population, cheaper lift pass) tend to be lower altitude than their more glamorous high alpine peers.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 6-10-24 12:16; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@skitow, yes that’s correct. I think they were going to do the same at Ornon but not 100% sure.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Charliegolf, huh. I have skied it once. wouldn't bother again.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@munich_irish, This only appeared in my copy of the paper this morning.
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I hate these news stories 
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Never skied Grande Serre but have cycled up the Col de la Morte from Sechilienne and then looped back over via Ornon to Bourg.
I would imagine some of the resorts in the Vercors and Chartreuse will also follow. I have been cycling in summer and skiing this region in winter for over 20 years. The change is very noticeable.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Always sad to hear these stories but it’s only going to get worse. Perhaps it will transition into a ski touring spot as has happened to Super St Bernard
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Close to the town/village of La Morte? Rather ironic .
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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FAQ
Communiqué 
. It did look a lovely route that disappeared into the trees 
. He split with us about 11-00 and he arrived back at 3-00 after losing sight of the others and a long walk back theough the trees 
.