Most of a resort’s turnover is generated during the winter season, in particular the French school holiday periods: two weeks at Christmas and four weeks in February and March. In one of these weeks, a resort earns 9% of its annual turnover.
Visitor numbers during these weeks are therefore a major concern for most socio-economic stakeholders.
Climate information has an impact on financial performance, through the quality of skiing offered. Socio-economic stakeholders also require this information to prepare for the season. The activities they offer depend on the weather, skiing conditions, promotions, communication needs, human resource requirements, etc. Early knowledge of general snow trends could be factored into decision-making before the season starts, allowing these stakeholders to optimise resources and improve performance.