
Outdoor
Talloires-Montmin – Col de la Forclaz
A singular ski area: great things come in small packagesOn this one spectacular sunny day, we set our sights on the Talloires-Montmin – Col de la Forclaz Pass ski area, driving up the windy mountain road overlooking Lake Annecy’s turquoise-blue waters, with breathtaking views seemingly around every other turn.
We received an extremely warm welcome from the all-volunteer staff who spends a considerable amount of time and energy to maintain this small ski area with its friendly, laid-back atmosphere and where a trail map serves no real purpose (there are 2 drag lifts and 5 runs: 2 green, 2 blue, 1 red, and a boardercross).
Perched at 1180 meters elevation, this bite-size ski area’s main purpose is to offer kids in the Annecy area the chance to discover the joys of skiing, and it continues to operate thanks to the unwavering dedication of a team of forty volunteers. Subject to ever-changing weather conditions and an uncertain snowpack in recent years, the ski area opens every day during school holiday periods, and on Wednesdays and weekends through the end of February. Kids from the schools in Talloires ski here, taught by enthusiastic volunteer ski instructors.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the major destination ski resorts in the Northern French Alps, people love to spend a few hours as a family at Talloires-Montmin-Col de la Forclaz ski area, enjoying themselves on the low-angle snow-covered slopes, whether sledding, skiing, or learning to snowshoe. As little kids learn how to use the rope tow and make their very first turns, more experienced skiers have fun one descent after another from the top of the drag lift.
Bruno, a recent retiree who simply loves putting his free time to good use, cheers everyone on while enjoying a great day with visitors and the other volunteers. “More than anything, this particular adventure is about people,” he explains.
Two longtime members of the non-profit welcome us with smiles and open arms: Marcel Maniglier, seventy-eight years old, founder and ski instructor, and Bernard Hoffmann, seventy-six years old, president and ski area director. Assisting them are a few well-meaning souls who take turns lending a helping hand when their schedules allow. Everyone’s motivation comes from a desire to pass down their passion for their village and to see the younger generations enjoy the ski area’s amazing setting at the foot of the always-majestic Tournette Peak. Most members even learned to ski here.
Colette is from the neighboring town of Bluffy. While her grandchildren ski, she learns how to operate the drag lift, anxious to donate her time to this small ski area where her kids learned to ski what seems like just a few short years ago. “Donating my time is a way to thank all those generous people who gave their time to so many generations.”

© Aude Pollet-Thiollier / Bernard Hoffmann and Marcel Maniglier
“Up here, we take care great care of our visitors, we help them learn, and we really like to spoil them,” Marcel Maniglier
Everyone on staff stays busy all day long. They provide information and sell tickets, rent equipment and manage the lifts. They always have a kind word to say to regulars and other visitors. Kindness is the norm, which is probably why the atmosphere here is so warm and friendly.
“Kids’ smiles are our reward. We always have such a great time!” exclaims Tom, the non-profit’s most recent recruit, tasked with renting equipment to a father and daughter.

© Aude Pollet-Thiollier / Some of the volunteers
A unique, pioneering ski area
“Montmin-Col de la Forclaz is an international ski area,” Bernard Hoffman says with a smile, “Comorians, Russians, and even Japanese have skied here.”
When created back in the sixties, the ski area’s permits required the lifts to be set up at the start of every winter and taken down at the end of the season. In 1986, when the local schools began to organize ski outings once per week, the lifts became permanent fixtures.
However, towards the end of the nineties, enthusiasm for school-organized ski outings began to wane, and the area had trouble making enough money to stay afloat. A group of friends in the area, galvanized by the desire to keep their village active during the winter, decided to roll up their sleeves and continue operating the ski area using volunteers, the only viable alternative. Learn all about this fascinating turn of events through a report currently being broadcast by France 3.

© Aude Pollet-Thiollier / Tom Camuset
For more information: +33 (0)4 50 60 77 38 (when the ski area is open) or saem.montmin74@hotmail.com
Ski lessons: esf.montmin.saem@gmail.com
Another story
Copyright:
- © Aude Pollet-Thiollier
Journalist: Aude Pollet-Thiollier
Translation: Darin Reisman