La Tania gets new cannons
Snow cannons are being
installed above La Tania to enhance the snow cover on runs back
down to resort. The new cannons are on the top section of the
Bouc Blanc and the Arolles Boulevard.
Since the Folyeres cannons went in below the top Gondola station
back in 2001 the resort runs have been open from the first to
the last days of the season.
New Driving Regulation
From the 1st July 2008, it will become French law that drivers
must carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility security vest.
The changes, proposed in February 2007 are intended to make stopping
in cases of emergency, breakdown or accident safer for all road
users. The law will also apply for people driving in France in
UK registered cars or hire cars.
The change in the law doesn't affect motorbikers, however, as
of the 1st September 2008, anyone riding a bike outside of built
up areas, must wear a high visibility vest at night, or during
the day in the case of bad weather. Failure to comply can lead
to a 135 euro fine!
UPDATE : Because all car part and DIY shops
are out of stock of triangles and vests, the authorities have
decided that the new regulations still become law from 1st July
2008, however until the 1st October 2008 if you're stopped you
will receive only a verbal warning. After the 1st October 2008
the fine will be enforced.
New Aquatic Complex for Courchevel
Construction work is scheduled to start in August on a new complex
that will be open winter and summer. The resort’s plan for
the Grandes Combes site is reported to be both ambitious and innovative.
The complex will feature a swimming pool, indoor sports complex
with a large hall, additional outdoor sports areas, conference
area, media library, restaurants, shops and parking areas.
Added security:
New MAGNESTICK system (for children safety on the chairlits) on
the Signal and the Dou des Lanches lifts.
More information:
New signage at the top of La Saulire to help you find your way
and make sensible decision,
Improvements to the reception area at the Aid Points at La Saulire
and Chenus.
More snow
New network of man made snow for the following pistes : Combe
de la Saulire, Bouc Blanc, Arolles.
The Méribel-Mottaret Courchevel 1850 link will therefore
be assured.
Optimisation of the man made snow network with the installation
of rapid reaction (which allows to production to start more rapidly
once conditions are suitable).
New lift pass
Introduction of the 3 Vallées morning lift pass (from opening
until 12.30pm)
New Tourist Office for Courchevel 1550:
After a public meeting the Mairie has announced the redevelopment
of the tourist office in the centre of the resort. The building
will house the Tourist Office and the ESF ski school. A new mall
area area will be used for a left luggage service, a covered waiting
area for bus and coach passengers and a self-service ticket machine.
It is hoped the new building will be completed in time for the
2008/2009 winter season.
Lift Pass Prices for 2008-09 announced:
Six day adult Courchevel pass €182 and Three Valleys
€225. Three Valleys season pass €970.
A new piste in the Courchevel
valley, from the top of Pralong & Biollay chairs straight
down to the Suisse chair. The new piste follows a similar route
to the old Super Pralong drag lift and was a popular easy off
piste run.
New snow cannons are to be
installed on both the Bouc Blancand Boulevard des Arolles pistes
which link 1850 over to the top of the La Tania gondola.
‘La Potiniere’ hotel/restaurant/bar,
located in the centre of Courchevel 1850, was closed demolished
on the 28th April. The hotel, first built in the 1960s by the
Rochaix family, was raised to the ground to make way for a four
star hotel with twenty two suites and a penthouse apartment that
has already been sold.
New Snow Cannon Reservoir in 1650 and
a water processing plant nr Courchevel 1850 altiport.
A huge new snow cannon reservoir has been constructed
above Courchevel 1650, (between the arrival points of the Signal
and Roc Mugnier chairlifts at 2200m). There are now new Gazex
avalanche control machines and upgraded snow cannons. Water will
be piped up from the Rosiere lake at 1500m to the new Ariondaz
reservoir at 2500m, where it will be retained and and subsequently
piped to the Biolley lake at 2000m when required. The high altitude
will allow the water to cool naturally, allowing better quality
cultured snow to be produced, and by stocking such a large quantity
of water, snow can be created whenever weather conditions allow.
The reservoir will also increase the quantity of drinking water
available to the resort.
Statistics on the reservoir:
Volume of the reservoir at l’Ariondaz: 125,500 m3.
Water supply: 900,000 m3/year
Length of the pipes involved: 8,000m.
Total cost of the investment: €7m
Protecting the environment
The Three Valleys operate 1,920 snow cannons,
183 ski lifts and 67 trail groomers which use hydro-electric power.
This fully renewable energy is provided by the Gaz Electricité
Company of Grenoble using power generated by small hydro-power
centres in the French Alps. The company vehicles also run on biodegradable
diesel.
For snowmaking the Three Valleys chose the Ariondaz Dam - a hilltop
location that had minimal impact on the environment and is located
in an area where no protected species live. The lake has a capacity
of 123,000 square metres of which about a quarter is available
all year round if required for fire fighting.
The installation of the new Chapalets Chair is another example
of good environmental practice. The lift pylons have been fixed
to existing rock avoiding the need for new concrete bases. The
cables are marked to prevent birds flying into them. They are
also creating a new meadow pasture to assist the preservation
of the endangered black grouse species.
Other new initiatives include the collection of rubbish from the
pistes. Organic toilets have also been installed at the base of
the ski lifts. All old lift installations are dismantled and recycled
once their working life is complete. A new three type waste recycling
system has also been introduced and visitors will be encouraged
to participate in this scheme.
The 3Valleys lift company are continuing work towards better collection,
retention and distribution of water. There have been improvements
to drainage and work on erosion prevention. The long awaited new
reservoir, which will service a range of new snow cannons, is
beginning to take shape.
A new website http://www.saveoursnow.com
aimed at highlighting climate change and the importance of sustainable
resort management has been launched by ski journalist Patrick
Thorne.
