The CCGP manages several ski areas: Larmont/Gounefay, Malmaison, Granges-Dessus and Verrières-de-Joux. In total, 12 jobs (full-time equivalent) are generated. The community manages the material, equipment, maintenance, reception of the site and above all the organization of emergency services: “this is what costs the CCGP dearly, but it is an obligation”specifies Cyril Torres, head of the tourism service at Grand Pontarlier. Over the last ten years, the management of ski areas has cost the community between €135,000 and €200,000, for revenues of around €75,000 (bad season) and €150,000 (good season).
“It’s a public service. We are not in the business of making money.”
“We are in deficit in the ski areas, between €20,000 to €60,000 per year. The more snow there is, the more we will cover our costs. The less snow there is, the more we will be in deficit. It remains a public service. It is sports equipment intended for users. We are not in the business of making money.”continues Cyril Torres.
-The opening of the areas then depends on the weather conditions, and despite uncertain snowfall throughout the seasons, “Pontissaliens and Doubistes in general are very attached to Nordic skiing. It is an emotional, heritage attachment. When we see the enthusiasm for each snowfall, yes it is relevant to continue spending in these ski areas. We have difficulties, we don't hide it. It's more and more variable but we can always work with snow, it's still possible. We have a lot of requests. As long as it is a need for users, we will continue”underlines the head of the community tourism service. On Wednesday January 15, the Gounefay and Malmaison sites were still open.
