The end of the winter season is always a special time. Behind this apparent lull lies the conclusion of an intense cycle, marked by daily dedication, decisions made on the ground, and a collective effort that often goes unnoticed by the general public. It is during this period of transition that the Compagnie des Alpes brought together nearly 300 staff members in Ardèche for the CDA Debrief 2026. An event now firmly established in the group’s calendar, designed both as a chance to catch our breath after the winter, to come together in a different way, and to take a step back from what has just happened… but also from what lies ahead.
Although this event is primarily an internal affair, David Ponson, Mountain and Outdoor Activities Division, Compagnie des Alpes, has chosen to share part of it with I Love Ski. It is a way of opening the doors, bringing to light the ideas currently being discussed within the teams, and fostering, beyond the group itself, a broader reflection on the evolution of mountain-related professions.
From an economic perspective, the 2025–2026 season is drawing to a close on a solid footing: in the first half of the financial year, the Ski Areas and Outdoor Activities division recorded €552.3 million in revenue, up 5.3%, with a further increase in skier days on a like-for-like basis. But beyond these indicators, a different picture is emerging.
For what this CDA Debrief 2026 reveals is a simple yet fundamental conviction: in the mountain industries, sustainable performance is rooted in the commitment of the men and women who, day in, day out, bring these regions to life.
CDA Debrief 2026: an event that goes beyond a simple review of the season
Originally, the CDA Debrief was much like a fairly standard end-of-season seminar: a time to “celebrate results, share major projects, and present internal awards”, explains David Ponson. This approach was still very performance-focused, in line with the sector’s traditional indicators.
However, over the years, the format has undergone a radical transformation. Under his leadership, the meeting has become “a genuine management ritual”, and is now “something the teams look forward to”.
The event retains its role as a celebration, but has taken on an additional function: to provide a breather in professions where the intensity of day-to-day work leaves little room for stepping back. A moment to “come together”, “celebrate”, but also to “refresh one’s mind” in an environment he describes as “increasingly unpredictable and turbulent”. A time to restore meaning, share common ground and, above all, leave with a slightly clearer vision of what lies ahead.
Commitment: at the heart of the collective
David Ponson reflects with us on what guided this 2026 edition: commitment. Far from resorting to clichés, he takes the time to explain what he means by this word. “It wasn’t about asking for more commitment,” he insists. “On the contrary, it was to celebrate their unconditional commitment.”
Because on the ground, this commitment is lived out day in, day out, in demanding roles, in environments that are sometimes restrictive, where passion often takes over. David Ponson speaks of “passion and expertise” within the teams, but also of a level of commitment that sometimes goes beyond the simple scope of work. He even goes so far as to draw a strong parallel with the military world, to illustrate what commitment can mean in contexts where people are directly confronted with demanding situations. Without dramatising, but to highlight a reality: in the mountains, commitment is tangible, embodied.
“The real strength of our group isn’t the chairlifts or gondolas; it’s the men and women who make it all happen.”
CDA Debrief 2026: three presentations to broaden our perspective
The selection of speakers for the CDA Debrief 2026 lends a particular depth to the event as a whole. It is not simply a matter of providing external perspectives, but rather of offering teams additional insights that directly resonate with their day-to-day realities.
With Maxime Blondeau, the thinking is rooted first and foremost in the local area, but in an unusual way. Through his approach to ‘cosmography’, he invites us to ‘feel the territory’ rather than merely analyse it. His work goes beyond geography or planning: it questions the way we perceive spaces and understand the interactions between living organisms, resources and human activities. By sometimes delving deep into the history of the relationship between humans and their environment, he offers frameworks for understanding that allow us to situate mountain livelihoods within a long-term dynamic, far beyond immediate concerns. A deliberately positive approach, focused on the capacity for adaptation and innovation, which opens up new perspectives rather than limiting them.
The focus then shifts to the inner workings of organisations with Emmanuelle Duez and The Boson Project. Her presentation offers an in-depth examination of the relationship with work and the changes currently taking place within companies. Engagement, purpose, the expectations of younger generations, and shifts in management styles: these are just some of the topics she addresses with an approach that is both analytical and highly practical. In particular, she points out that companies can no longer limit themselves to an economic role, but that they now form part of a broader social and societal context. Through her work and publications, she invites us to rethink the individual’s place within the collective and the conditions necessary to foster lasting commitment. A presentation that resonates directly with the HR challenges facing the mountain sector.
Finally, with Olivier Roussille, the focus returns to the essentials: the collective facing the test of reality. A former naval aviation officer, now holding strategic positions within the government, he offers an account shaped by his experience on the ground and decision-making in high-pressure situations. Through real-life accounts, he highlights what makes a collective resilient when conditions become demanding: trust between individuals, clarity of responsibilities, and the ability to take the initiative, regardless of level of experience. He offers an interpretation of leadership based on setting an example and consistency, where everyone has a role to play in the success of the mission.
It is through this progression that the whole picture comes into focus. First, we need to broaden our perspective and gain a better understanding of the local area. Next, we must examine the internal dynamics, the meaning and the forms of engagement. Finally, we must return to the practical factors that enable a community to hold its own and move forward in challenging environments.
Working together: a sense of pride in belonging that is built over time
As the conversation progresses, another recurring theme naturally emerges: that of pride in belonging. David Ponson fully embraces this. In a group where each resort has a strong identity – “La Plagne”, “Méribel”, “Les Menuires”… – the challenge is not to smooth over the differences, but to create a common foundation. To ensure that everyone can identify both with their own local area and with a wider collective, that of the Compagnie des Alpes.
The CDA Debrief fulfils precisely this role. “These are key moments that bring everyone together, when all the teams come together,” he points out. And in a group so deeply rooted in local communities, this kind of gathering is no small matter. It helps to forge links between teams that, for the rest of the year, operate within very local contexts.
This desire to work as a team was also evident in more tangible moments. The presence of skier Nils Allègre, who came to share his experiences of a demanding season, gave a very concrete dimension to this notion of commitment. On stage, his account echoed what the resort teams experience, in their own way: high standards, perseverance, and the ability to bounce back. A natural, almost obvious parallel. But it was undoubtedly the staging that left a lasting impression: alongside him, Vincent Jay, Olympic Champion and current Director of France Montagnes, shared the stage with him. A symbolic passing of the baton, between experience and the future, between achievement and aspiration.
This sequence also provided a natural transition to a new horizon: the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. “We will be welcoming the whole world in four years’ time,” says David Ponson. Behind this statement lies a clear intention: to restore a sense of perspective, in a context where there are many uncertainties, and to remind people that these events are also an opportunity for mobilisation and pride for mountain regions.
The second day, focused on outdoor activities and team spirit, was naturally organised by Evolution 2, serving as a bridge between winter and summer, but also as an expression of a single group that brings the mountains to life all year round.
As you will have gathered, the CDA Débrief 2026 is not merely about the end of a season. It speaks to something deeper: the evolution of the mountain industry. In an environment that has become more uncertain and demanding, where the balance of things is constantly shifting, performance depends on an ability to work as a team. To align teams spread across different regions. To provide meaning, to build trust, and to maintain a high level of commitment over the long term. An energy that must be recognised, nurtured… and, above all, allowed to continue to grow.
