Chronicle of an announced death of the ski lifts …

Despite the closure of ski lifts in winter sports resorts, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails are particularly busy this year.

The misfortune of some makes the happiness of others.
The large resorts in the Alps and the Pyrenees are suffering, while the Massif Central, the Vosges and the Jura are exceptionally busy.

In Sancy, the Stele station, sees a horde of tourists arriving every morning from all over France to take advantage of the clean air during this difficult period of restrictions. The snow is there with a powder that makes skis squeal deliciously.

Cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts flock to the marked trails traced in the heart of snow-covered forests, each on separate trails.

It is important to wax your skis well for a good glide. On the other hand, you don’t need to have snowshoes made of deer, caribou or moose skin with an ash or birch wood frame steamed or soaked in water … simple plastic snowshoes are sufficient. .

Beginners can choose between green or blue runs. More seasoned athletes do not hesitate to take the orange or red slopes. The more adventurous face the impressive ice walls of the black slopes.

Here and there, children as well as adults are having a blast as they hurtle down the slopes on sledges at full speed.

Others are content to follow the snow-covered paths with good hiking boots.

Finally, during these school holidays, despite the pandemic that is raging throughout France, at La Stèle, we go all schuss open.

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Gerard CROSSAY

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