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DAME IT!

Everyone knows that feeling of being the first on the slopes, of being able to make your first track in well-groomed snow. But do you know who works at night to give us such a perfect feeling? Meet Laurent, a lover of the mountains and the Vercors, who shares with us the secrets of his job.

Published on 9 January 2025

    Dam-age

    It’s hard to think of anyone more Corrençonnais than Laurent. Born into a family of farmers, his father was also a groomer and boom operator in the winter at the Alpine ski resort.

    It’s now 40 years since Laurent took up the torch, and every winter he travels the slopes in his snow groomer. His job is an escape, a connection with nature and the peace and quiet of the mountains. Far from the world, but always with the desire to satisfy ski lovers.

    The story doesn’t end there, as Laurent passes on his passion to two of his children. Today, one works for the Corrençon en VercorsNordic ski area and the other for the Alpine ski area.

    Ever since they were little, they’ve been with me in the snow groomer. I also followed the example of my father, who was also a groomer and boom operator at the resort.

    Man versus wild

    When the last light of day gives way to night, it’s time for Laurent to take the reins of his snow groomer and hit the slopes. Alone in his cabin, he surveys the summits, moving the snow and shaping the slopes like an artist.

    But before becoming a groomer, he trained as a mechanic and worked in public works. This training gave him a thorough knowledge of his machine. Later, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a groomer in 1983. When we talk to Laurent, he talks about his job with love. He loves being close to the environment and the calm of being alone in the face of nature, which can sometimes be wild.

    The mountains hold no secrets for him, whatever the season. In summer, he tends the slopes, and in winter he grooms them. It’s an outdoor job that allows him to combine his mechanical skills with his love of the mountains.

      Over-the-ear headphones for  1 minute grooming anecdote

        The place to be

        What Laurent loves about the Vercors is the magnificent scenery he can see from Corrençon en Vercors. He loves taking the time to contemplate the peaks from the heights of the village. From his snow groomer, he can admire the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and the Vercors holds no secrets for him.

        He speaks very fondly of the area, which is where he grew up. A lover of the countryside, he speaks of the destination as an ideal.

        Laurent is proud to be able to contribute to the development of tourism in the area, because as well as being a groomer, he also owns a family gîte in Corrençon.

          I’ve always lived here and I can’t really see myself living anywhere else. As soon as I leave the Vercors I get a bit sick, so it’s true that it’s complicated.

          Vertaco Council

          “There are some lovely walks to be had in the mountains or on the Hauts Plateaux. There are new activities developing like electric scooters or electric bikes, so it’s interesting.”

          To find out more