The 2011-12 ski season ended bin France yesterday when the last two resorts still operating, Tignes and Val Thorens, called it a day on the season.
Unlike the other 'big 4' Alpine nations, France no longer has glacier skiing year round, and it will be six weeks until Tignes, Les 2 Alpes and Val d'Isere re-open for summer skiing.
There is however the option of snow skiing in France today still – on the world longest indoor snow slope at Amneville – a 600mn run in an old mining town not far south of the Channel in the north of the country.
The stats are not yet in but it looks like the country will have had a good winter despite hard economic times. After Val Thorens, which had due to be the first in the country to open (Other than Tignes which had been open all through autumn) was forced to delay opening in November due to high temperatures and no natural snowfall,. A deluge of white stuff in December and January brought record snowfall which kept most areas, although especially the higher ones, in great shape for the rest of the season and the big name resorts closed with still two metres or more of snow on their slopes in many cases.
Now looking ahead to 2012-13 the first announcements of plans to keep skiing affordable during the ongoing 'Eurozone economic crisis' are coming out. The 3 Valleys, the world's biggest ski area, have announced a new "Tribu" skipass will be available for any three or more people buying a 6 day lift pass at the same time,
"It will be available from three people who don't need to be of the same family they can just be friends," said a statement from the resort.
A 3 Vallées Tribu pass will be 657 Euros for three people or 219 Euros, and more friends can join the group purchase for 219 Euros each.
A six day 3 Valleys pass last season was 235 Euros and the price is set to jump next winter.
A similar version is available for individual sectors – Les Menuires/St Martin is 503.10 Euros for three people, or 167.70 Euros each for three or more for example.
Clearly the ticket is offered to groups of friends or family arriving together but It's not yet clear if you can just 'make friends' with people standing in the lift queue with you and just buy your passes together. Best to carry cash perhaps.