Neuchâtel cross-country skiing has regained momentum thanks to the dream conditions that skiers enjoyed during the end-of-year holiday period. The association which manages nine Nordic centers in the canton has already collected 25,000 francs at its point of sale in La Vue-des-Alpes, one of the nerve centers of its network. An encouraging indicator in view of the drop in the number of contributors to the association, due to snow which is becoming rare. “The last three seasons, we can say that we lost 300 [cotisants] per year,” notes Jean-Pierre Leuenberger, president of Neuchâtel cross-country skiing.
It is too early to draw a first quantitative assessment, due to the number and diversity of points of sale for subscriptions and other day passes. But Neuchâtel cross-country skiing hopes that the increase from 100 francs to 80 francs for the “French-speaking” subscription for this winter – a reduction which will not be renewed next year – will also make it possible to increase the number of contributors, which has fallen to 2300. Often, in fact, skiers wait to see if the snow comes before taking the seasonal “map”.
“Not in danger” model
The mass of contributors therefore represents a sort of life insurance for Neuchâtel cross-country skiing in the event of a lack of snow. In any case, this economic model, which notably allows the regular renewal of snow groomers, “is not in danger today”, underlines Jean-Pierre Leuenberger.
A final word on current conditions: the Neuchâtel cross-country ski network remains passable, but the rain forecast this week will put the snowpack to the test… /vco
Swiss