French Alpine Village Of Allos Votes To End Skiing At Val d’Allos–Le Seignus

In a landmark decision reflecting the changing climate and economic realities of mountain communities, residents of the picturesque French Alpine village of Allos have voted to cease skiing and snowboarding operations at their local resort, Val d’Allos–Le Seignus. The move marks a significant shift for a village long synonymous with winter sports, signaling a potential new direction for Alpine tourism.

The vote, held over the past weekend, saw a clear majority of residents opting to close the lifts and re-evaluate the future of the ski area. While specific figures have not yet been officially released, local reports indicate strong support for the proposal, which has been debated within the community for several months.

The referendum, held on June 28, 2025, saw a modest 30% voter turnout among the commune’s 5,000 taxpayers—including 600 year-round residents and thousands of second-home owners. Of the 1,342 votes cast, 50.1% opted to shut down the ski area entirely, while 36.4% favored maintaining full operations and 12.6% supported a scaled-back version.

• Climate and Costs Collide The decision comes amid increasingly unreliable snowfall at the resort’s 1,500-meter elevation. The 2023/24 season saw virtually no snow at lower-altitude resorts across France, and Val d’Allos–Le Seignus has been operating at a loss for years, contributing to a €700,000 municipal deficit. Continuing operations would have required a 30–35% hike in local taxes, a burden many residents were unwilling to bear.
• A Broader Trend in the Alps Val d’Allos–Le Seignus now joins a growing list of French ski resorts—including Grand Puy and Alpe du Grand Serre—that have shuttered due to warming temperatures and financial strain. Experts warn that only high-altitude resorts above 1,800 meters can now reliably offer snow throughout the season.
• What’s Next for Allos? Mayor Michel Lantelme emphasized that the closure won’t happen overnight. The municipal council will now draft a transition plan, potentially focusing on year-round tourism alternatives like hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing. Meanwhile, the nearby La Foux d’Allos resort, located at a higher elevation, remains unaffected and will continue operations

The decision comes amidst growing concerns over the viability of low-altitude ski resorts in the face of increasingly unpredictable snowfall and rising operational costs. Val d’Allos–Le Seignus, situated at a relatively lower elevation compared to some of its high-altitude neighbors, has reportedly struggled with consistent snow cover in recent years, leading to shortened seasons and financial strain.

Proponents of the closure argued that maintaining the resort was no longer economically sustainable and that the village's resources would be better allocated to developing alternative, year-round tourism activities. Ideas floated include expanding summer hiking and mountain biking trails, promoting local culture and gastronomy, and investing in sustainable eco-tourism initiatives.

The move has sent ripples through the Alpine community, with many watching closely to see how Allos navigates this transition. While some express regret at the end of an era for the ski resort, others see it as a courageous and pragmatic step towards a more resilient future for mountain villages. The local municipality is expected to announce further details on the transition plan and future development strategies in the coming weeks.