Switzerland’s ski resorts turned off their lifts this weekend for the last time, closing a season in which, to wide-spread condemnation and concern from its neighbouring countries – and some of its own residents – it kept its ski resorts open to all throughout winter.
Despite the criticism, however, hindsight is showing that the safety measures put in place by the authorities and resorts proved successful in achieving a crucial balance between the health of the economy and the mental and physical wellbeing of the many skiers, from Switzerland and beyond, who were able to safely enjoy fresh air, a much-loved sport and spectacular mountain scenery.
Perhaps the divide created between Switzerland’s stance and that of their neighbours is best symbolised by the literal divide created by the French closures in the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, which interlinks France and Switzerland.
Here, the infamous Swiss Wall, or Chavanette, one of the world’s steepest ski pistes, functions as one of three connecting runs between the Avoriaz ski area on the French side and the Swiss pistes of Champéry.
With the lifts on the French side closed, and only key link pistes open for ongoing seasonal maintenance, however, Avoriaz locals who wanted to take advantage of the groomed Swiss pistes and operating lifts had to do so by ski touring, splitboarding or snow-shoeing up from Avoriaz, which sits at 1800 metres, to the 2144 Pas de Chavanette. (A longer route from Les Lindarets to Pointe des Mossettes was frequented less.)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, the Swiss precautionary enforcement of facemasks in queues and on chairlifts, and resort restaurants open for takeaway only, were the only indicators that it was not a typical season.
This photo essay documents the closed French side during a bluebird week in March. In a normal year, this would be peak-season, with big queues for chairlifts and scores of skiers and snowboarders revelling in the simple, life-affirming pleasures of riding fresh powder in the Spring sunshine…
