French ski resort uses helicopter to transport snow to lower slopes

50 tonnes of snow was transported down the mountain at a Pyrenees ski resort in France

Two men help an helicopter carrying snow in order to place it on a ski slope in the Superbagneres station, near Luchon, in French Pyrenees mountain southwestern France, on February 15, 2020. The French department of Haute-Garonne decided to pour snow by helicopter on the Luchon-Superbagneres station in order to make up for the lack of snow on February 14 and February 15, 2020. / AFP / Anne-Christine POUJOULAT

A helicopter carries snow to a ski slope in the Superbagneres station, near Luchon, in French Pyrenees mountains. AFP

Feb 17, 2020

A lack of snowfall in the French ski resort of Luchon-Superbagnères led officials to helicopter snow from the top of the mountains to the lower slopes.

Local authorities at Luchon-Superbagneres in the southwest of France told AFP they decided to have extra snow helicoptered in to three lower areas where snow cover was short.

Un hélicoptère pour enneiger une piste de la station Luchon Superbagnères. Sur fond de montagne dénudée. En plein hiver.

Je trouve cette vidéo très triste.

Source : https://t.co/9j6TOHw8TQ pic.twitter.com/HqbQtteI9v
— Hugo Clément (@hugoclement) February 15, 2020

Around 50 tonnes of snow was taken from the higher slopes to lower altitude runs in the two-hour operation. It reportedly cost between $5,500 and $6,500 (Dh20,000 and Dh23,800).

The response to the low snowfall was criticised as by environmentalists.

" - Because of human irresponsible behaviors, we face global warming 🔥 🤒
- Ok, then we will bring snow with helicopter 🚁 ❄"

This is absurd #Luchon https://t.co/nSj8Sf1G1P
— Cyril Forestier PhD (@CForestier_PhD) February 16, 2020

The local council commented that the move was a worthwhile investment to ensure the slopes remained open during the busy French half-term school holidays.

Domaines Skiable, the professional organisation for ski area operators in France, said on twitter that the action was not usual practice and that the committee would meet at the end of the winter season to discuss the matter further.

People pull a sled on the top of a ski slope on February 15, 2020 in the Superbagneres station, near Luchon, in French Pyrenees mountain southwestern France. The French department of Haute-Garonne decided to pour snow by helicopter on the Luchon-Superbagnères station in order to make up for the lack of snow on February 14 and February 15, 2020. / AFP / Anne-Christine POUJOULAT — A lack of snowfall in France has led to many ski slopes being left without snow cover. AFP / Anne-Christine POUJOULAT

France is experiencing an unusually moderate winter, which has led to low snowfall in many ski areas across the country.

It's not the first time helicopters have been used to transport snow from higher altitudes to lower resorts, similar operations have been carried out in the French Alps.