When studying local development, we find that decentralization and local governance are inseparable factors that contribute strongly into the efficiency of local development attempts. Decentralization gives local authorities more responsibilities and freedom of action without having to refer to central institutions. Enhanced local governance allows the establishment of strategies that better cope with local needs, reduces opposition and corruption, and increases cooperation between local actors. In this paper we intend to compare the effect of local governance on the performance of French as well as Lebanese ski resorts or stations of ski. We will show how the models of governance applied in French stations contribute to their development while those applied in Lebanese stations constitute a barrier to their development.