Heavy snowfall this weekend has led to the closure of the Le Mézenc ski resort, located at Les Estables, Haute-Loire, France. The decision to close the resort was made on Friday evening and was effective for Saturday, following the issuance of orange weather alerts for snow and strong winds. Visitors intending to ski were met with unfortunate news, as the resort announced, "La station du Mézenc reste fermée toute la journée." The closure results from significant snow accumulation and dangerous weather conditions, which have complicated snow removal efforts.
On Saturday morning, snow was reportedly affecting areas above 1000 meters, with forecasts indicating accumulations of between 50 to 80 centimeters at elevations around 1200 meters. The mix of heavy snow and fierce winds reached gusts of 80 to 100 km/h. These conditions have created hazards such as snowdrifts, making access to the resort challenging. On this particularly snowy day, the forecast hinted at the snow level dropping to 500 to 600 meters, allowing for heavy snow even at lower elevations, with around 20 centimeters reported near 800 meters.
While the heavy snowfall grounded operations at the ski resort, it also disrupted local transportation. Roads leading to the resort, including RD 36 - connecting Les Estables to Ardèche - and RD 631 were closed, impacting traffic and hindering the ability of snowplow crews to clear affected areas. One notable incident involved a truck getting stuck at the forestry house's parking area, underlining the severity of conditions. Local authorities are responding with additional snow removal resources, including using large snow removal machinery to assist the snowplow crews.
Despite the adverse weather, the ski resort had seen considerable activity earlier. On Wednesday, the Mézenc's Nordic area had been buzzing with over 500 students from the Haute-Loire region participating in school sports competitions. These students engaged in athletic events, such as skiing and biathlon challenges, which highlighted the resort's role as a vibrant hub for outdoor activities.
The planning and management for school sports emphasized not just the excitement of competition but also the beautiful outdoor venue provided by Le Mézenc. This recent spike of activity came before the arrival of severe weather conditions on Friday night, which completely transformed the ski resort’s atmosphere from lively competition to cautious closure.
Safety remains the priority during such weather events. Authorities are advising residents and visitors to avoid travel unnecessarily and heed weather alerts. The situation is particularly pressing as temperatures are expected to plummet, risking hard frosts on already snow-blanketed roads, creating additional hazards for anyone caught traveling.
While the current circumstances have led to the closure of Le Mézenc, local authorities and ski operators are optimistic about eventually reopening the resort once conditions improve. Weather systems like these often yield opportunities for excellent skiing conditions following initial closures. They also highlight the extraordinary natural settings and recreational potential available at the Mézenc ski resort.
For now, though, skiers will have to wait for clearer weather and safer conditions before returning to the slopes.