In early July, the news came as a shock to the biking community in the Switzerland-Germany-France border region: The Syndicat mixte d’aménagement de la station du Lac Blanc had decided to cease operations of the mountain railways. This also meant the end for the 20-year-old bike park—because without a chairlift, the bike park makes no sense.

The reaction from the mountain biking community was swift. A petition to save the bike park gathered more than 11,000 signatures within a few days. Now comes the turnaround: On September 9, the responsible special-purpose association decided to organize summer and bike operations itself in the future. Instead of putting the lift out to bid again or shutting it down completely, a municipal “Régie” will be established. The chairlift will thus continue to transport bikes and riders up to the Col du Calvaire in the future. The bike park is scheduled to reopen in 2027.

A solution has also been found for the employees: Nine of the 13 current staff members are to be transferred to the new structure. The existing concession with Lac Blanc Tonique will end on October 31, 2026, after 21 years. For winter sports, however, the story is not yet over: Alpine ski operations will remain closed during the 2026–27 season. 

The newly established municipal operation will initially focus on mountain biking and summer operations. Exactly how the bike park will be operated in 2027, what prices will apply, and what funds will be available for the maintenance and further development of the trails remains to be determined, as reported by the daily newspaper L'Alsace reports.