Ghost resorts: as 100s of ski slopes lie abandoned will nature reclaim the Alps?

4 months ago

Céüze ski resort in the French Alps closed in 2018 after 85 years of operation due to unreliable snowfall and financial unviability.
Abandoned ski resorts like Céüze are part of a growing trend in France, with over 186 permanently closed, raising environmental concerns.
Abandoned ski infrastructure, including lifts and buildings, is degrading and contaminating the surrounding environment with substances like asbestos and motor oils.
Efforts to dismantle Céüze's ski lifts began in 2025, a rare and expensive process, with early signs of ecological recovery already visible.
The debate continues on whether to memorialize abandoned resorts or return the land to nature, with some advocating for dismantling to protect wildlife.
Climate change is pushing snow lines higher, threatening ski resorts globally, with many lower-altitude resorts already closed.
Despite the closure, Céüze remains a site for quieter winter activities like hiking and cross-country skiing, showing that life continues without the ski resort.

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