The Porté-Puymorens ski resort kicked off the winter sports season this Friday, December 13. Careful preparation of the slopes was carried out. The resort intends to provide powder snow lovers with the benefit of this first opening weekend.
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At the start of the season, snow is present. The Porté-Puymorens ski resort, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, has been open since Friday, December 13. The conditions are ideal. About a meter of snow fell last weekend, and to welcome skiers, the resort has been preparing for a week.
Daily work from dawn
Every morning, the snow groomers come into action early in the morning. Jean-Henri Casanovas, groomer, explains their mission: “We are going to compact the snow and plug the holes. The goal is to guarantee well-prepared and safe slopes for skiers.”
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Every morning, the snow groomers come into action early in the morning.
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©Jordan Lasserre – France 3 Occitanie
Meanwhile, the trackers ensure the security of the domain. They install nets, protective mattresses and mark the trails. “We do everything so that people can ski in complete safety”specifies Adrien Sarda, who has worked at the station for 13 years.
This opening is a key moment for Porté-Puymorens. “people come here to enjoy quality snow. It's essential that everything is perfect”underlines Alexis Righetti, general director of “Trio Pyrenees”.
The ski patrollers, snow groomers and rope access technicians have been working for a week for the resort's opening weekend.
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© Jordan Lasserre – France 3 Occitanie
ALSO READ: BEFORE/AFTER: how snowfall transformed the ski resort landscape in a single weekend
With nearly 3,000 visitors expected each day this weekend, these first few days should set the tone for the entire season.
Porté-Puymorens is the second station to open in the region after Font-Romeu last weekend. Cambre d'Aze will follow on December 20. Formiguères and La Quillane will welcome skiers on December 21. Puigmal plans to open on December 27.
ALSO READ: “A tremendous surge of solidarity”: 7 ski resorts to the aid of this resort, which still hopes to open its slopes on December 20
With this abundant snow and a well-prepared area, Porté-Puymorens is launching the winter season under the best auspices.
