Alpe du Grand Serre Ski Resort Announces Permanent Closure

After decades as a beloved winter destination, the Alpe du Grand Serre ski resort has announced its permanent closure, effective immediately. The decision, cited as a direct consequence of escalating climate change and consistently insufficient snowfall, marks a poignant end for the family-friendly resort and sends ripples of concern through France's alpine communities.

Alpe du Grand Serre is a ski resort located in the commune of La Morte in the department of Isère and region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. The resort is in the French Dauphine Alps at an altitude of 1,368 m (4,488 ft). The village itself is located at the summit of a mountain pass at the gates of the Oisans valley, between the Romanche valley and the Roizonne valley. Neighbouring mountains are the Taillefer (2,857 m (9,373 ft)) and the Grand Serre summit (2,141 m (7,024 ft)). It remains a small mountain village with traditional alpine buildings and atmosphere. Thus, it is mostly visited by local people and families from the Grenoble urban area. It was announced in October 2024 that the resort would not open for 2024 

The ski resort was created in 1938 in the village of "La Morte". Its name changed to Alpe du Grand Serre in the 1960s with the build of the Petit Mollard lift. Today, the skiable area represents some 220 ha (540 acres), based upon 14 lifts. Having been historically ruled by the commune of La Morte, the ski resort of Alpe du Grand Serre has been managed since 2001 by société d'aménagement touristique Alpe d'Huez grand domaine (S.A.T.A.).

Nestled in the Dauphiné Alps, southeast of Grenoble, Alpe du Grand Serre has long been cherished for its accessible slopes, friendly atmosphere, and stunning vistas. However, the past decade has seen a dramatic decline in natural snow, forcing the resort to rely heavily on increasingly costly and energy-intensive artificial snow production. Even with these efforts, the 2024-2025 season proved particularly challenging, with extended periods of unseasonably warm weather leading to a significant drop in visitor numbers and mounting financial losses.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, one we hoped we would never have to make," stated Jean-Luc Dubois, Mayor of La Mure and a key figure in the local tourism board, in a press conference held earlier today. "Alpe du Grand Serre has been the heart of our community for generations, providing livelihoods, joy, and memories. But the reality is stark: the snow simply isn't there as it used to be, and the economic model is no longer sustainable."

"It is a painful decision and a page in the life of our region has been turned. We now need to look ahead, stand together and build a renewed future for the Alpe du Grand Serre station," said Coraline Saurat, president of the CCM.

“We have worked tirelessly and believed in this project right to the end. For over 20 years, SATA group has been deeply attached to this destination and the men and women who bring it to life…” stated Fabrice Boutet, managing director of SATA Group.

“We reiterate our commitment to all those involved in the mountain resort, and we will stand by this community to support them through this period of transition,” he added, highlighting a particular commitment to those employed at the ski station.

The closure is expected to have a profound impact on the small communes surrounding the resort, including La Mure, Cholonge, and Saint-Honoré. Hundreds of jobs, from ski instructors and lift operators to hotel staff and restaurant owners, will be affected. Local businesses, many of which depend almost entirely on the winter tourism economy, face an uncertain future.

Marie Lefevre, who has run a small crêperie at the base of the slopes for over 30 years, expressed her heartbreak. "My children grew up here, my business flourished because of this place. We adapted, we tried, but how can you ski without snow? It's the end of an era, and I don't know what we will do next."

Environmental scientists and climate experts have long warned about the vulnerability of lower-altitude ski resorts to rising global temperatures. Dr. Elara Vance, a glaciologist at the University of Grenoble Alpes, commented, "Alpe du Grand Serre's situation is unfortunately not unique. Many resorts across the Alps are grappling with similar challenges. This closure serves as a stark reminder of the tangible impacts of climate change on our landscapes, economies, and cherished traditions."

While local authorities are exploring options for economic diversification, including promoting summer tourism activities like hiking and mountain biking, the void left by the ski resort's closure will be deeply felt. The slopes that once echoed with laughter and the swish of skis will now stand silent, a poignant symbol of a changing climate and the end of a cherished alpine dream.