It is a difficult time for ski enthusiasts in the Vosges Region of France, as Lac Blanc Ski Resort announced it would be permanently shutting down its ski lifts starting the 2026-27 season. The reason? Climate change has created unpredictable winters for the resort, and the resort can no longer meet the requirements to operate. It made the call to close in a statement released on July 1, 2026.
“Having examined the management arrangements for activities starting in the 2026-2027 season, it also noted that the conditions necessary for direct operation were not met,” the resort said in its statement, according to FranceInfo. “The joint committee acknowledges the effects of climate change on the site. The decrease in natural snowfall, the reduction in days with usable snow cover, and the increasing uncertainty of winters are weakening the historical model based on alpine skiing.”
Climate Change Hitting European Resorts
Lac Blanc is not the only European ski resort to announce its closure in the past few months. Sportbahnen Braunwald in Linthal, Switzerland, announced its closing on June 19, 2026. Like Lac Blanc, Braunwald cited rising temperatures and declining snowfall as its reason for shutting down its lifts.
“Alpine tourism is under pressure,” the resort wrote in its closure announcement. “Climate change and shifting consumer behavior are challenging the entire industry.”
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According to Florian Pappenberger, Director-General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Europe specifically is experiencing significant effects of climate change. EMCWF reported that at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures in 2025, with heatwaves extending from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Glaciers across the continent have also felt the effects of climate change, with glaciers in all European regions experiencing a net mass loss, along with snow cover falling 31% below average in 2025.
“Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts are already severe. Almost the whole region has seen above-average annual temperatures,” Pappenberger said in a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) article.
The WMO’s 2025 report also showed a continuing trend of rapid warming across Europe’s coldest regions, including in the Arctic and the Alps. For low-elevation Alpine resorts like Lac Blanc, which sits between 900 and 1,200 meters, even small temperature fluctuations can do a lot of damage. Just a small temperature change can quickly turn snowfall into rain. Snowmaking windows also become smaller, and over time, operational challenges make it increasingly difficult to stay afloat.
Lac Blanc and the Vosges
Lac Blanc was established in 1970 and has been one of the most recognizable ski destinations in the Vosges. The resort was ideal for family holidays, offering a range of activities such as downhill and cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and snowshoeing.
The resort had undergone dozens of upgrades over the years, including new lifts, snowparks, snowmaking upgrades, restaurants, and bars. With its closure, it leaves behind eight chairlifts and 15 slopes across 165 acres of skiable terrain.
Closing Despite a Recent Grant
The resort’s closure comes just one year after it was approved to receive a €788,000 ($900,000) grant from the European Collectivity of Alsace to modernize Lac Blanc’s snowmaking equipment. While this vote drew criticism, given the context of the resort’s climate struggles, the investment appeared to do little to change the resort’s decision to close.
The Future of Lac Blanc
Rather than shutting down entirely, Lac Blanc is adapting to the situation by focusing on warm-weather activities. The resort has been slowly increasing its spring and summer offerings, starting with the opening of its bike park in 2007. The resort also has hiking trails, cycling routes, and a one-kilometer rail sled.
By increasing its summer offerings, Lac Blanc hopes to secure its long-term future without relying on snowfall. FranceInfo reports that roughly 50% of the resort’s revenue is generated in the offseason, already setting the resort apart from others that typically generate most of their revenues during the winter season.
Moving forward, the resort will look to continue operating on the site while exploring new avenues for non-skiing activities. Fortunately for Lac Blanc, it now has a nice €788,000 to play with.
