21.10
2019
News and events
Get off to a good start
A faster route to the top
In the Northern Alps:
This winter, the Galibier Thabor ski area will reveal a new peak at an altitude of 2,750 metres, at La Sandonnière. A new chair lift and two new red runs will be added to the Valloire and Valmeinier ski areas (160 kilometres of ski runs).
The Pierre Grosse gondola lift, which can carry 2,400 people an hour, has been installed in Les 2 Alpes between the Toura/La Fée sector (2,200 metres) and the glacier (3,100 metres – top of the Le Signal chair lift / 952 metres of vertical gain).
In Valloire, on the Crey du Quart massif, the Montissot chair lift is being replaced by a 6-seater detachable chair lift to improve the passenger transportation rate.
In Le Grand-Bornand, the new Charmieux 6-seater detachable chair lift can carry 3,600 people an hour and guarantees very comfortable arrival thanks to its innovative design.
Over in Les 3 Vallées, the St Martin gondola lift in St Martin de Belleville has had a makeover and a new 10-seater gondola lift will connect Courchevel Le Praz to the centre of Courchevel 1850 in under 6 minutes, with completely redesigned snow front access.
In the Pyrenees:
In the Southern Alps:
The new Marin Pascal detachable chair lift will be up and running this winter on the Val d’Allos – La Foux ski area, so you can carve some curves on a new blue run. Pedestrian access is also available for those who wish to enjoy the panoramic views at the summit.
In Serre-Chevalier, 2 new chair lifts on the Le Monêtier sector (Eychauda and Cibouït) continue to streamline the movement of skiers around each sector.
The Chabrières gondola lift in Vars is being turned into a Telemix combined lift to give skiers the choice of going up in an enclosed 10-seater gondola or a 6-seater chair. It will take just 4 minutes to get from 1,850 metres to 2,200 metres.
There’s a new style, a redesign and a facilities makeover at the Aiguille Rouge (Arc 2000) funicular station. It’s being repainted black, as is the Varet gondola lift’s departure and arrival stations. Large bay windows will also be installed to let natural light flood in to the ‘20th Century Heritage’ listed building.
In Les Angles, in the Pyrenees, the Pèlerins gondola is being updated and modernised with solar panels to power the lighting and sound. The departure station is also being renovated and redesigned.
For even better snowsports
Morzine-Avoriaz welcomes two new ski runs: the ‘Aigle Rouge’ red run is being fully redesigned and a new blue run has been created from the top of the Belvédère chair lift.
There’s no better way to make the most of the ski area than with a guide! The resort of Brides les Bains is offering the three Ds – ‘Découverte, Domaine, Dimanche’ - 2 and a half hours with an instructor to discover the ski area and get your holiday off to a great start.
In Valberg, the Nordic area is being completely modernised.
We heard so much about it last year, but ski touring is still flying high. To meet the growing demand of skiers looking for new thrills, resorts are developing safe areas exclusively for getting started with ski touring.
In Orcières-Merlette, shared ski touring itineraries are being created on the ski area with accompanying activities.
In Valmorel, ‘Le Toboggan’ is opening its doors - a ski touring run starting at the resort with a 535m vertical gain. It starts in the forest, and then its second section unveils panoramic views over Mont Blanc and La Lauzière massif. Ski back down on the blue ‘Les Traverses’ run.
Le Lioran, in the Massif Central, is also opening a new ski touring itinerary, setting off from the resort centre.
Two ski touring itineraries will be on offer from this winter and openly accessible at Praz de Lys Sommand (climb to Lac de Roy or to Platière). Safe, signposted and ungroomed, they’re perfect for getting started or honing your skills.
Freeride runs are being created this winter in St Sorlin d’Arves, on the Perrons Bas, Bartavell and Perdrix runs.
In terms of artificial snow, this winter, coverage in Les Orres will exceed 50% of the ski area and Les Gets will see its artificial snow capacity double, taking it from 35% coverage to 75%.
For even more fun
Make way for fun skiing! Just like the snowparks, which are always expanding their range of modules, the slopes also offer fun runs where you can have a great time without having to throw yourself onto a Big Air!
In Sainte-Foy Tarentaise, Natur' Ecureuil is a new fun trail in Plan Bois that lets you hone your snowsports talents on all kinds of terrain and snow types. At the same time, it also teaches youngsters about protecting the environment and nature.
In Les 7 Laux, a fun run with modules has been added to the L’Ecureuil itinerary.
Freestyle-wise, the resort of Les Orres is creating a new snowpark. The Prévieux run is becoming a fun zone dedicated to rails and boxes, while two new zones dedicated to different sized kicks will follow. In La Clusaz, the Family Run welcomes all ages to experience life as a freestyle skiing athlete in complete safety! Comprising three different ability routes with a fairly gentle gradient, it’s aimed at both beginners and experienced freestyle skiers.
When it comes to tobogganing, the resort of Chastreix Sancy has added an 80m long covered magic carpet with one side aimed at tobogganers and the other aimed at beginner skiers.
In Villards de Lans, a new toboggan run with a magic carpet from the foot of the slopes to the Villard Balcony (Côte 2000) has now been added to the existing toboggan facilities in the hamlet of Rambins in Corrençon and the Villard toboggan park.
Finally, for a fun break between runs, La Folie Douce has landed on the Arc 1800 sector. Accessible by gondola lift, on foot or on skis, it extends over 2,000m² and is guaranteed to get skiers dancing on the slopes!
Photo credits: Scalp / Urope / Clo&Clem
