21.03
2012 Mountain activities

What could be better than stepping directly into your skis from your doorstep? Ideal for holidaymakers, many French ski resorts are organised in this very ski-friendly manner.

What could be better than stepping directly into your skis from your doorstep? Ideal for holidaymakers, many French ski resorts are organised in this very ski-friendly manner.

Most of these “ski-in, ski-out”resorts were built in the 1960s, including La Plagne (1961), Les Menuires (1963), Flaine and Le Corbier (1967) and Les Arcs (1968). At that time, pragmatism outweighed all other considerations. The architectural style of the day was heavily influenced by Le Corbusier, who put a strong emphasis on functionality. Le Corbusier believed that buildings should respond to man’s four principal occupations: work, housing, mobility and entertainment. Originally created for an urban setting, his model was applied to the mountains resorts. When the initiative was launched in the 1960s, it was supported by the state, which wanted to take advantage of the growing national interest in winter sports.

Unlike today, tourists came to the resorts for the sole purpose of skiing. It was common for people on holiday to spend 8 hours per day on the slopes, meaning less time strolling through the streets or relaxing on their balconies. It was necessary for the architecture of the resorts to respond to this lifestyle, hence the imposing buildings situated directly at the foot of the slopes. This desire for maximum functionality also explains the construction of commercial galleries on the main floor or in the basements of the buildings, allowing guests to do their shopping in their slippers so as not to waste any time.

Car-Free resorts

The majority of these “third generation” resorts were created with children’s,safety in mind, meaning accommodation situated close to the lifts and as much as possible, separating cars, skiers and pedestrians. The “Family Holiday” theme is central to these resorts, meaning children should be able to take maximum advantage of the holiday, giving parents the possibility to benefit from the time as well, all within a manageable budget.

Some resorts have succeeded in developing a  distinct identity, thanks to the ingenuity of their promoters. The example that comes to mind is Avoriaz, which opened in 1967. Creators Robert Brémond and his son Gérard (the founders of Pierre&Vacances) imagined a car-free resort, where streets act as ski slopes. In Arc 1600 , the architect Denys Pradelle seamlessly integrated long rows of buildings into the landscape. A perfect example is the 225-unit “Versant Sud” residence, which shadows the fall line, making it invisible from a distance despite its size: 13 storeys high and  120 metres long. Current architectural developments in these ski-in, ski-out resorts follow the same trend, combining functionality and integration into the natural landscape.

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