As France anticipates its first significant snowfalls, local ski areas are bustling with activity, but it’s not just the paid staff getting things ready. Across the region, a heavy reliance on community engagement and volunteer efforts is proving essential to launching the 2024-2025 winter season. From saving struggling stations to making the sport accessible for children, volunteers are emerging as the backbone of local skiing.
Alti Aigoual Rallies Support
At the Alti Aigoual station, for instance, a “volunteer day” is scheduled for this Sunday, November 16, to finalize preparations. This follows a successful volunteer week in late October. The station, which hopes to open as soon as the snow arrives in December, is facing a critical safety commission review on November 24. Organizers are appealing for all available help to ensure they are ready for the first skiers.
A Model Born from Necessity
This reliance on community support is, in fact, crucial for Alti Aigoual’s survival. The station, formerly known as Prat Peyrot, was nearly shut down permanently in 2018 before a dedicated team of enthusiasts took over operations through a public service delegation. Today, it operates on a “solidarity model,” blending volunteer labor, local partnerships, and popular support. This approach has kept the slopes open despite fragile economic conditions and challenging winters. Last season, for example, the station operated from December 15, 2024, to March 2, 2025, but faced several interruptions due to inconsistent snowfall.
Fostering the Next Generation
This spirit of community-driven skiing isn’t isolated. In nearby Pierrefitte-Nestalas, the local SPES ski club (Pierrefitte/Soulom) is gearing up to relaunch its popular “Wednesdays in the snow” program. As the peaks show their first white coatings, the club’s motivated team of volunteer instructors is preparing for the new season.
Making the Slopes Accessible
The SPES program, which has been organized by the local association since 1937, is founded on the conviction that skiing must remain accessible to everyone. The club, approved by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will hold registrations and equipment distribution on Saturday, November 22, at their industrial zone location. The program is open to children aged seven and up from Pierrefitte, Soulom, and neighboring communities.
How the Program Works
For a modest fee of 130€, the program covers bus transport, all necessary equipment (skis, poles, and boots), and the lift pass for the Lys ski area in Cauterets. The entire operation relies on volunteer supervisors, all of whom hold federal diplomas. The goal, weather permitting, is to complete ten Wednesday outings, allowing the kids to learn technique and enjoy the sport with friends. Last year, about forty children successfully participated in all ten sessions, with many passing official ESI and ESF ski tests at the end of the season.