In the heart of the Alps, the Pays du Mont-Blanc experienced a nuanced winter season, woven with contrasts but crowned with success. The villages nestled under the snow, the cable cars brushing the peaks, and the laughter of holidaymakers still resonate in the valleys. But behind this postcard lies a reality made of adaptations, passion, and a touch of mountain magic.
Rising numbers despite winter’s whims
In Praz-sur-Arly, winter ended on a cheerful note. Jocelyn Clévy, director of the tourist office, does not hide his enthusiasm: “This season was simply excellent.” The numbers speak for themselves: 324,200 overnight stays recorded, a progression compared to last year (312,000 overnight stays). These results recall the regained momentum of the thriving years, which the commune had not seen since 2015. In Combloux, the trend is similar, with remarkable stability and a slight expected increase, oscillating around +1% or -1%.
The stirring is also felt in Saint-Gervais. Mathieu Barbier, who experienced his first winter as head of the tourist office, highlights the uniqueness of this season: “Snow conditions have surpassed everything we had known in recent years.” January, in particular, saw a massive influx of foreign visitors, especially British and Swiss, representing 35% of the clientele. Even in March, attendance did not falter, extending the magic of winter.
Professional accommodation providers booming
The accommodation sector is also holding its own. In Praz-sur-Arly, despite a slight decrease in bed availability, professionals have optimized their capacities. The strongest growth is observed in professional beds, with a rise of 11.3 points over the entire season. This performance is the result of hard work and fine management of bookings, started as early as September and which have continued to grow.
Saint-Gervais, for its part, records more modest increases but they must be put into perspective, as they rely on a previous season that was already a record. Holidaymakers, attracted by the authenticity of the villages and the variety of activities, responded positively even when the weather was capricious.
Christmas and New Year marked by success
In Les Contamines-Montjoie, the magic of the end-of-year festivities operated. Florian Bouvier speaks of particularly successful Christmas and New Year holidays, with an increase of 3% in overnight stays. The occupancy rate reached 73% in the first week and soared to 95% the following week. January continued in this trend, even if the winter holidays saw ups and downs, notably in February where the two central weeks were exceptional, contrasting with a more timid first and last week.
In Combloux, sometimes stormy weather and an unfavorable school calendar complicated the start of the season. However, snow cover proved satisfactory, except at the beginning of the Christmas holidays when artificial snow was precious below 1,400 meters. The rest of the season offered a generous white blanket, to the great delight of skiers and families.
The success of village resorts is also explained by their ability to offer much more than skiing. Aurélien Astre, director of the Combloux tourist office, stresses the loyalty of visitors: “Whether there is snow or not, there is always an experience to live with us.” The celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the resort, marked by shows gathering 5,000 people, testify to this.
A spring that extends the season
The mountain never really sleeps. Even after the closure of some resorts, the Pays du Mont-Blanc continues to attract. In Les Contamines-Montjoie, the occupancy rate for spring holidays jumped by 6 points compared to last year. Lovers of wide open spaces still enjoy the last snows, while sunny terraces invite contemplation.
Between storms and records, a mixed review for ski areas
In Megève, the SRMM kept its lifts running until April 6, hoping for a good end to the season. However, it is difficult to establish a precise comparison with last year, as the operating perimeter has changed. For Mathieu Dechavanne, CEO of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, “the season favored the mid-mountain more than the highest peaks.”
Didier Mollard, head of the company managing Les Contamines-Montjoie Hauteluce (SECMH), shares this view. February was marked by storms, forcing trail closures for nearly three days around February 18 due to avalanche risk. This stroke of bad luck cost 750,000€, or 20% of the period’s turnover. Despite this loss, he remains reassuring: “We will finish the season around -2% to -5%, which is quite respectable.”
On the Portes du Mont-Blanc side, Lucas Marchand savors a rise: turnover up by 8.3% and attendance increasing by 4.1%. Despite difficulties linked to bad weather in February, activity was able to be maintained, proof of the resilience and adaptability of the resort.
Saint-Gervais, for its part, benefited from a clientele shift and was less affected than others by the whims of the sky, thus confirming the strength of its tourist momentum.
Beyond the numbers, the mountain spirit
The 2025-2026 season will be remembered as one of success achieved through passion and ingenuity. Each storm that occurred, each ray of sun found again, each laugh heard on the slopes reminded me of the strength of this territory. The Pays du Mont-Blanc is above all a human adventure, where professionals and visitors share the same desire to marvel, season after season.
Walking these snowy paths, listening to the locals’ anecdotes, I understood that the mountain is not only measured in numbers but also in emotions. At every turn, it invites us to come back, to dream, to live the present moment. So, set course for the next season, with the promise of new discoveries and unforgettable memories!
Article written based on information from Dauphiné Libéré
