Delinquents target ski resorts to steal expensive gear, with around 150 pairs taken since November 20 in Val Thorens and Les Menuires. A 17-year-old boy lost his new skis during a family meal, highlighting the ease of such thefts. Families, caught off guard by the lack of caution at altitude, lament the absence of preventive measures like ski locks.
French ski resorts are grappling with a wave of thefts targeting valuable equipment. An investigation reveals that criminals readily ascend to high altitudes to snatch premium models. For instance, since November 20, about 150 pairs of skis have been stolen in Val Thorens and Les Menuires, two popular Savoyard resorts.
On December 20, Benjamin, a 17-year-old from Nantes, experienced this ordeal firsthand. His family had given him a pair of Stöckli skis—a Swiss brand—as an early Christmas present, bought used for 1700 euros. While enjoying hot chocolate at the 'Chalet de la Marine' restaurant at 2500 meters altitude, the skis vanished from the communal rack outside in just half an hour. Benjamin had to ski down in boots alone, capping a bitter day.
'In Nantes, I have all the possible reflexes, but I never imagined someone could take skis from a high-altitude chalet. I didn't even know ski locks existed,' says Christine, the boy's mother. This Nantes family, accustomed to urban caution, was unprepared for the vulnerabilities in the mountains. The high cost of skis, paired with their ease of transport, makes them prime targets for thieves.
These incidents highlight a persistent issue in resorts: unsupervised racks and a general lack of security devices. Local authorities and station operators urge greater vigilance from skiers, while affected families hope for better safeguards to prevent such financial and emotional losses.
