A ski resort in France has had to close as there is no snow on the slopes in what is seen as further evidence of global warming.
Mourtis is a ski resort in the Pyrenees in the town of Boutx in the Haute-Garonne department in the Occitanie region of southern France.
The ski resort made the announcement on its Facebook page, saying it had no choice but to close the ski slope for an “indefinite period of time” – because there is no snow.
Local official Herve Pouneau said: “The last temperatures we have had have melted what was left. It is currently no longer possible to go down on skis.”
The ski resort, which has 19 slopes, including 3 black ones, is located at an altitude of between 1,350 and 1,860 metres (4,429 and 6,102 feet).
Local media report that on 19th January, two women were injured in a sledge accident, apparently due to the lack of snow.
Netizens felt sorry for the ski resort, with ‘Tom Tiss’ saying: “Poor guys, it is going to be a short season.”
And ‘Maud Gabon Guionneau’ added: “It is hard this year!!!”
While ‘David Andre’: “I think that this year is toast. Unfortunately, global warming, I have worked for years on the ski slopes, the worst is that the small resorts at low altitude find it a bit more difficult, we are not heading towards good days, fingers crossed for a miracle.”
Other skiing resorts are also in dire straits and are keeping their fingers crossed that fresh snow arrives soon, according to reports.
The Pyrenees represent 10 percent of France’s skiing market.
According to Meteo-France, last weekend saw temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius in the south of France and this winter is set to be France’s second hottest since 1900.
This is what Le Mourtis usually looks like 
This is what Le Mourtis usually looks like
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
