For the opening of the ski resorts, these environmentalists have prepared quite a snowball. In their sights: the snowmobile activity offered as a leisure activity to vacationers. And more precisely, because we have to start with a commune, the one practiced on the snow-covered massifs of Orcières, in the Hautes-Alpes. France Nature Environnement Paca has in fact joined forces with the Alpine Society for the Protection of Nature to file a voluntary appeal, in order “not to distort a flagship site of the Ecrins National Park”.
In question, the municipal deliberation relating to the agreement to “make available” a snowmobile circuit on the Merlette estate. “If the town hall refuses to comply with the law, we will go to the administrative court,” warns Bernard Patin, member of the FNE Paca, who also wants to force the State, which exercises legality control, to take a position: “A every time we ask them, they tell us that they prefer to teach. It’s been ten years since I heard this speech, and nothing follows behind it.” However, according to him, the law is clear on this subject, not to mention that “we are bludgeoning the population to save energy, and then we can go there, shamelessly snowmobile!” »
“If it was to go around in circles on a track, people wouldn’t come”
But what does this law say regulating the practice of snowmobiling for recreational purposes? Laurent Reynaud, general delegate of the Ski Areas of France, sheds light on us: “The law establishes a prohibition in principle and two exemptions, which are the transport to a mountain restaurant as part of an overall service provision, typically for dinner after the ski area closes. And the opening of areas for the practice of motorized sports, such as snowmobile circuits. This must be the subject of an order from the mayor. »
It remains to agree on the said notion of sports field… Not an easy task. For environmentalists, a marked snowmobile route is not terrain, since it is accessible to other sporting activities. “It is above all an incentive for practices outside the ski area, which disturb wildlife, including certain species that are particularly vulnerable in the winter season,” argues Bernard Patin.
Around fifty snowmobile bases in France
“If it was to go around in circles on a track, people wouldn’t come,” retorts Christophe Tison, president of the professional quad and snowmobile union. It’s not just about driving, we offer a unique experience of hiking in a ski resort, in the middle of the night, at a time when there is no one else and where you have incredible views. »
Based in Méribel, he is preparing to begin his 38th season and sees administrative procedures tightening from year to year, “to avoid opening more grounds”. “Environmental associations do enormous lobbying,” he regrets. A textbook case again recently: the gendarmerie seized, in February 2022, around ten snowmobiles in Chamrousse, in Isère. The case is awaited in cassation. “For the moment, the appeal is suspensive,” indicates Christophe Tison, who finds the story “incredible”.
For him, the ecological argument “is difficult to put forward”. “We must nevertheless remember that a ski resort, most of the time, is similar to a major amusement park with slopes shaped and damaged at night by mechanical machines which consume enormous amounts of energy, just like the lifts. In this highly worked environment, we are one of the activities that pollute the least. » “Nothing is done without the agreement of the town hall, it has the last word,” he adds. Things generally happen in good harmony. »
“A popular activity for business seminars”
For example, Les Orres renewed the agreement with its snowmobile service provider in September. “He is a young local who knows the mountains very well, the activity is very structured and requested by families,” indicates the mayor of the resort, Pierre Vollaire. “Snowmobiling has been a long-standing part of resort life. Afterwards, it is there but we have no intention of developing it. »
“In recent years, it is an activity that we have seen less in the new developments highlighted,” notes France Montagnes, the official website of ski resorts in France, before specifying: “This remains a fun and original activity, very popular, and often offered as part of business seminars.” A success, in short, which is becoming more discreet. That’s without taking into account the spotlight from environmentalists.