Located at 2,700 meters, if we take into account the highest point, Les Orres has everything of the resort as we imagine it, friendly, lively, on a human scale. “Classic”, in a way. However, the questions surrounding the mountain today – between energy issues, snow cover, service offerings, use of data – are not entirely new topics for certain resorts, which have long focused on the future and sustainability of their business model. Because beyond the current themes, sustainability is the fundamental subject. In Les Orres, we have been working on the subject for more than twenty years, firmly convinced that it was by no means an essential step to know how exactly to reinvent the model.
Techno and territory preservation
” We have worked a lot on the subject confirms Pierre Vollaire. Almost an understatement, knowing that it was he who founded the Ocova forum in 2004, dedicated to the mountains of tomorrow and whose last edition took place at the beginning of January. The terms smart, data and AI were clearly not part of the everyday vocabulary at the time. However, the mayor of Les Orres since 2014 has always had, more than a vision, a conviction, that of the need to preserve the mountain area, aided by new technologies at the service of a good cause , to to enhance the attraction effect, to play, but certainly not to be gimmicks. The content more than the form.
The lack of snow, for example, which seems to surprise many ski resorts in France and slow down their activity at the beginning of the season, is a problem to which artificial snow responds. But knowing how to quantify and monitor the need, and finding the right balance between natural and artificial snow, is of course not something you do with a wet finger, but by referring to scientific data. These are used in particular by ClimSnow, a tool that is the result of a consortium that includes Météo France, INRAE and Dianeige. And what does Les Orres use? Knowing that artificial snow is now an integral part of economic models, confirms Pierre Vollaire, from ” maintain until 2050 “.
The challenge for a warm bed
Les Orres has seen its summer turnover double, reaching a turnover of 1.2 million euros in 2022, thanks to activities related to mountain biking and its Bike Park which put the resort in the top 3 National. ” This turns out to be a good way to diversify. emphasizes Pierre Vollaire, recognizing that investment is the nerve of war and the essential element to replace obsolete, energy-consuming and more suitable infrastructures. So while 50 pylons have been removed from the area, we also need to provide something to satisfy the tourist we attract. This means the station has ample parking space. Because when you say mountain of tomorrow, you don’t just say techno, but also global services. For example, a parking garage with 162 spaces will be operational in December next year.
A reflection on investments in infrastructure that does not forego, on the contrary, a reflection on the real estate space. Coming back to the dichotomy between cold bed and hot bed, the first is the obsession with resorts, the second the promise of a living resort. ” We have worked with property owners and created a dedicated Owners Area. We accompany them in everything related to the marketing of their property, we interface with the professionals of the station and we accompany them in their project “, explains Pierre Vollaire, with the aim of maintaining a good quality accommodation offer and adapted to the needs of attendance. A quality label for accommodations – ranging from 1 to 4 larches – has even been created, which plays the dual role of providing satisfaction for owners and reassurance for tourists. Another ambition is to bring 500 beds back into the adventure in 2025, knowing that 200 beds have already followed. And that 9,000 warm beds are needed to be in line with the business model, the station currently benefits from 8,000 warm beds.
AI, data… and field knowledge
Energy management, a central topic in 2023, requires us to always do more than what has already been set in motion. If energy consumption has already been reduced by 20%, it will be reduced by another 15% in 2023. Public lighting is controlled via LORA technology. ” It is also necessary to better manage water consumption, 750 sensors have been installed to allow real-time data feedback, which allows us to work on performance. “. Knowing also that the Lac de Serre-Ponçon, affected by water problems, is very close… ” Artificial intelligence serves three areas here, mobility, water and energy “.
On the mobility side, the sensors can provide an intelligent layer of security, for example by enabling skier tracking.
There are also, on this subject of mobility, the master plans that allow it to be institutionalized and deployed on a large scale. ” We are inclusive, we ask questions to the population, the energy transition is a real territorial strategy “, emphasizes Pierre Vollaire.
Sports, robots, stimulator: the techno lever of attractiveness
And then there is pure tourism mixed with innovation. This is the subject of the Sport Innovation Pole dedicated to leisure sports with stimulators, professional timing cell, video analysis center, ramp mats. ” The goal is to work on the performance level and have tools for ski schools », says Pierre Vollaire. The experience pool applies new digital technologies to mountain activities. With a 7-axis robot and virtual reality, the aim is to test everyone’s abilities, to accelerate the development of skills. A pile available in December 2023, financed, among other things, up to 2 million euros from the South region, 1 million euros from the Hautes-Alpes department, the community of municipalities providing 300,000 euros, the Future Mountain Plan, 800,000 euros, for in a total of 12.5 million euros. ” Water activities will also be tested to make the practitioner a regular practitioner. “, hopes Pierre Vollaire. Les Orres who have invested 25 million euros since 2019. Proof that investments focused on innovation, spread over different segments, are the best way to anticipate crises, variations and consumer needs. The mountain of tomorrow is necessarily very technology-oriented. Always at the service of the territory, according to the formula of Pierre Vollaire. Or how science is (another) lever of growth for the mountains.
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