SUMMER SKIING LOSES CHARM

17 May 2000

The Mont Fort glacier above Verbier will not open for snow sports this Summer.

Economic reasons are being cited as the reason by the resort, which claims lift ticket sales do not justify the cost of maintaining the two surface lifts and up to 10km of runs.

These were previously normally open from late June for 4 - 6 weeks with the traditional closing date in late July or early August depended on conditions. The summer slopes were accessed from the Jumbo cable car giving access to a maximum vertical drop of 400m.

Coincidentally, Tignes has also decided this week to end all year round opening.