Slower ski lifts and less artificial snow: French resorts tackle energy crisis

Chamonix pledges to slow lifts during less busy times, and Val Thorens will reduce heating levels in buildings and limit use of snow cannons

Ski resort managers in the French Alps are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy as part of a national effort to reduce consumption, with about half the resorts also bracing for power bills to be three to six times higher than in prior years.

In Chamonix, close to Switzerland, if there is no crowd, the lift will go 10% slower. And if the resort gets an alert that power supplies cannot meet demand, Chamonix will slow the lifts by 30%.