La Toussuire Altisurface

The primary reason for the closure was the expansion of the La Toussuire / Les Sybelles ski resort. The land occupied by the airfield was repurposed for the development of new ski lifts and pistes. This represents a land-use decision where the economic value and development needs of the growing ski tourism industry took precedence over the niche activity of the altisurface.

The site of the former altisurface has been completely absorbed by the Les Sybelles ski domain. The coordinates now pinpoint an area crossed by ski slopes and at least one major chairlift (the TSD du Soleil). The characteristic shape of the runway is no longer discernible. In winter, it is a busy ski run, and in summer, it serves as mountain pasture and hiking/biking trails.

La Toussuire was a classic French 'altisurface,' a high-altitude airfield with a sloped, unpaved runway designed for mountain flying. Its significance lay in its challenging nature and its direct access to a major ski area for a small community of aviators. Operations were limited to VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and required pilots to hold a specific mountain rating ('qualification de montagne') from the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC). The airfield primarily handled light general aviation aircraft, such as Piper PA-18 Super Cubs, Jodels, and other planes capable of short, high-altitude takeoffs and landings. It was a prime example of alpine aviation, allowing private pilots to fly directly into the mountains for recreation.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening the altisurface. The land has been permanently and significantly altered with the installation of ski resort infrastructure. Re-establishing an airfield would require the removal of valuable resort assets and would be economically unfeasible. The closure is considered permanent.