Climate change? A small French ski resort closes early

The resort of Le Mourtis in the French Pyrenees is supposed to be buzzing with skiers and snowboarders at this time of year.

But a lack of snow has forced the resort's director to close its ski runs mid-season.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) DIRECTOR OF LE MOURTIS SKI RESORT, CHRISTOPHE ESPARSEIL, SAYING:

"We made the decision to close because we couldn't guarantee maximum safety for our clients to ski. We were seeing an increase in the number of visitors to the ski slopes but it wasn't a hard decision to take."

This winter has been the mildest in France in more than a century.

Daytime temperatures here were above 10 degrees Celsius on Monday (February 10).

Tourists forced to ditch their ski boots and put on their hiking boots instead.

For some the lack of snow is no surprise, and they say they'll keep coming.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) HOLIDAYMAKER FROM TOULOUSE, LAURENT MOREL, SAYING:

"It's our third year in a row here. It's the second consecutive time that there's no snow, so we're not that surprised. With climate change this will become a more common thing, but we love the mountain so we still come."

Hoteliers and ski shop owners like Francois Gillaizeau have been left counting the cost, but people like him are already adapting their business to the changing climate.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) OWNER OF HOTEL-RESTAURANT AND RENTAL SKI SHOP, FRANCOIS GILLAIZEAU, PICKING UP SNOW SCOOTER AND SAYING:

"It's a bike, like a mountain bike, which can go down slopes. And if ever there's no more snow, you can take off the blades, add a wheel at the back and at the front, connect some brakes and you get a scooter that is useable without snow. So this can be used all year round."

With scientists predicting a long-term rise in global temperatures, people who earn a livelihood from winter sports in Mourtis - and other low altitude resorts - are having to contemplate a future with much less snow.