The Closure of Céüze Ski Resort: A Reflection on Climate Change and Abandonment

Céüze 2000 ski resort, located in the southern French Alps, closed permanently in 2020 after 85 years of operation. The decision was driven by increasingly unreliable snowfall, which had begun to decline in the 1990s. In its final season, the resort was only able to operate for a month and a half, leading local authorities to conclude that it was financially unsustainable to keep it open. Michel Ricou-Charles, president of the Buëch-Dévoluy community council, stated, “It was costing us more to keep it open than to keep it closed for the season.”

The Guardian

The closure of Céüze is part of a broader trend in France, where over 186 ski resorts have been abandoned, contributing to a landscape of "ghost stations." Currently, there are 113 abandoned ski lifts in France, with nearly three-quarters located in protected areas. The Mountain Wilderness association estimates that more than 3,000 abandoned structures, including military and industrial remnants, are degrading the alpine environment. Nicolas Masson from Mountain Wilderness emphasized the need for dismantling old ski infrastructure to allow nature to reclaim the land.

The Guardian

The dismantling of Céüze began on November 4, 2025, with ski lifts removed by helicopter to minimize environmental impact. French law mandates the removal of non-operational ski lifts, although many older structures remain due to high dismantling costs. The process for Céüze is estimated at €123,000. Early signs of ecological recovery are already visible, with native flora, such as winter berries, beginning to flourish in the absence of ski operations. Pierre-Alexandre Métral, a geographer at the University of Grenoble Alpes, noted that while the removal of infrastructure is beneficial, it raises questions about the future state of these landscapes.

The Guardian

The closure of Céüze has sparked debate about the fate of abandoned ski resorts. Some community members, like Richard Klein, argue that the resort should have been preserved, suggesting that artificial snow could have extended its viability. Klein stated, “I think it’s really stupid they closed it,” reflecting a sentiment that the resort still had potential. Conversely, others advocate for returning these areas to their natural state, arguing that the ecological benefits of dismantling outweigh the nostalgia associated with the resorts.

The Guardian

Despite the closure, life at Céüze continues in different forms. The local community engages in quieter activities such as walking, snow-shoeing, and cross-country skiing. Ricou-Charles remarked, “Céüze will continue to live, despite the loss of the resort,” indicating that the area is not entirely abandoned. The sale of local properties to developers suggests a potential for new uses, further complicating the narrative of loss associated with the resort's closure.

The Guardian

The situation at Céüze serves as a microcosm for the challenges facing ski resorts across Europe as climate change alters alpine environments. As communities grapple with the implications of these closures, questions arise about heritage, sustainability, and the future of mountain landscapes. Masson encapsulated this sentiment, stating, “What is our heritage that we will want to keep, and what is just a ruin we want to dismantle?” The answers to these questions will shape the future of many similar resorts in the years to come.

The Guardian