winter 2013/2014 - Espace pro

Press
P a c k
WINTER 2013/2014
WO
L
LY
2013
2014
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •
FUL
• SIMP
18 linked ski areas
N
ER
S
IM
WO
D
www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
P LY
NDERF
U
p2
Where to stay in Savoie Mont Blanc . . . . . . . . . . . . p 6
Where to eat in Savoie Mont Blanc
. . . . . . . . . . . p 10
Events: watch, listen and take part . . . . . . . . . . . p 16
How to get to Savoie Mont Blanc
. . . . . . . . . . . . . p 18
Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P 20
© Savoie Mont Blanc - Lansard
New on the slopes and in the resorts . . . . . . . . . p 14
© Savoie Mont Blanc / Givois
110 ski resorts
110 ski resorts, 18 linked ski areas
Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme is the Tourist Board for the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments.
Savoie Mont Blanc covers two third of the French Alps and is the first ski destination in the world.
Savoie Mont Blanc has 110 ski resorts, with 18 linked ski areas.
If Three Valleys, Espace Killy or Paradiski need no introduction,
others areas are still relatively unknown to British skiers. How
much do you know about Espace Diamant, Galibier Thabor, Le
Grand Domaine and Le Grand Massif? Below we will tell you all
about them.
Espace Diamant has 85 lifts and 149 runs: 32 green runs, 59
blue runs, 47 red runs and 11 black runs.
A 6-day pass is €193.20
www.espacediamant.com
Espace Diamant
Set among forests and alpine meadows, with stunning views of
Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain and Aravis ranges, the ski area
extends between the Beaufortain and Val d’Arly, offering a
very varied terrain. Hauteluce’s ski area has many challenging
runs and is a favourite among local freeriders, while Les Saisies’s
offers an easier terrain and is also famous for cross country
skiing.
Xavier Shouller, Managing Director at Peak Retreats says: “We
included Notre Dame de Bellecombe in our programme because
it is a family-friendly, traditional village that offers an authentic
ski experience in stunning surrounds. It is a cheaper alternative
to some of the more expensive mountain villages. It is ideal for
beginners and intermediates.”
You can stay with Peak Retreats at traditional Alpine residence
Le Village, ideally located in the heart of the village. Prices start
at £281 per person for 7 nights; this is in self-catering apartment
and includes return Eurotunnel crossing, ski hire and lift passes
(This is based on a family of 5 sharing a 2 bedroom apartment in
low season. Accommodation only available). For more information
please go to www.peakretreats.co.uk
Hauteluce espace diamant © Patrick Somelet
It links six pretty alpine villages: Crest Voland Cohennoz,
Flumet, Hauteluce, Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Praz sur Arly
and Les Saisies.
© Savoie Mont Blanc / Lebeau
2/3
Galibier Thabor
It links two resorts in the Maurienne Valley: Valloire and
Valmeinier. Valloire is a traditional Savoyard village with a lively
atmosphere and Valmeinier is a modern resort, but with an
architecture respecting the Savoyard style, offering ski-in, skiout accommodation. The 150km ski area will please all type of
skiers, from beginners to experts.
Cathy Rankin, the UK Sales and Marketing Manager at Pierres &
Vacances, says: “Valloire is well placed because it can be
accessed easily by customers flying to Chambery, Grenoble,
Lyon and Turin. Geneva is also convenient and the Maurienne
Valley rarely suffers from the traffic congestion at the weekend
that other areas do. Additionally, this is a very family-friendly,
traditional resort with access to a fabulous snow sure linked
area, and it therefore combines a more traditional French holiday
with great skiing. Best of all it is economically priced, as ski
passes, apartments and morning coffee will not break the bank!”
You can stay with Pierres & Vacances in Valloire in a studio for
4 from £343 per week (in January or April: 4/1/14, 11/1/14
and 5/4/14). This price includes an early booking discount of
20% which is valid until the end of October. If you would like
to find out more about Pierres & Vacances, please visit
www.pv-holidays.com
Galibier Thabor has 33 lifts and 86 runs: 21 green runs, 25 blue
runs, 31 red runs and 9 black runs.
A 6-day pass is €180
www.galibier-thabor.com
Grand Massif
Flaine, the highest resort of the area, was built in the 60’s on a
virgin site, by the famous Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer to his
design of a futuristic car-free resort. Grand Massif’s four other
resorts, Samoëns, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt Fer à Cheval
are traditional villages.
Melvin Weslake, Product Manager at Inghams says: “Flaine has
been part of the Inghams’ ski programme for many years. There
is a fantastic variety of skiing from the snow bowl above the
resort itself and the different ski-runs to all the satellite villages
in the ski area. The resort centre is largely traffic-free and offers
easy access to the pistes and this is why it is a popular choice
for Inghams’ guests. Another appealing factor is the short
transfer from Geneva.”
You can stay with Inghams in Flaine from £744 per person at
the Hotel Village Club du Soleil; this includes flights from
Gatwick, transfers and full board accommodation for 7 nights
with lunches or picnics, free wine with dinner, a 6-day Grand
Massif lift pass and 6 days rental of skis/snowboard and boots.
To find out more about this please see www.Inghams.co.uk
Grand Massif has 73 lifts and 144 runs: 17 green runs, 67 blue
runs, 46 red runs and 14 black runs.
A 6-day pass is €225
www.grand-massif.com
Grand Domaine
Grand Domaine links the Tarentaise and the Maurienne Valleys,
with Saint François-Longchamp in the Maurienne and Valmorel
in the Tarentaise. With 165km of gentle runs, ranging from
1400m to 2550m, it is an ideal ski area for beginners and
intermediates. Valmorel is a 4th generation resort, which means
it is a purpose-built resort but in a style respecting the local
architecture and environment.
Jane Bolton, Managing director at Erna Low says: “Valmorel has
a great ski area, being linked with Saint Francois-Longchamp,
and is very family-friendly. It is also one of the closest resorts to
Chambery airport so we recommend it for people wishing for
short transfer times.”
You can stay with Erna Low from £250 for a studio apartment
for up to 4 persons for the week beginning 04/01/13; this
includes the early booking discount (travel not included).
To find out more about this please see www.ernalow.co.uk
Grand Domaine has 49 lifts and 85 runs: 34 green runs, 34 blue
runs, 13 red runs and 14 black runs.
A 6-day pass is €211.90
www.legranddomaine.fr
© Savoie Mont Blanc - Réto
110 ski resorts
Other linked ski areas
Espace Killy
Paradiski
Val Cenis Vanoise
300km, from 1550m to 3456m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €50.50
Adult lift pass 6 days: €252.50
www.espacekilly.com
425km, from 1200m to 3250m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €53.50
Adult lift pass 6 days: €277
www.paradiski.com
125km, from 1300m to 2800m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €33
Adult lift pass 6 days: €165
www.valcenisvanoise.fr
Roc d’Enfer
Portes du Soleil (Les)
50km, from 900m to 1800m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €23.20
Adult lift pass 6 days: €122
www.espacerocdenfer.com
650km, from 1000m to 2460m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €47.50
Adult lift pass 6 days: €237.50
www.portesdusoleil.com
Espace San Bernardo
Praz-de-Lys-Sommand
160 km of slopes from 1200m to 2650m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €40.60
Adult lift pass 6 days: €194
www.espacesanbernardo.com
45 km, from 1250m to 2000m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €24.50
Adult lift pass 6 days: €127.50
www.prazdelys-sommand.com
Evasion Mont Blanc
Sybelles (Les)
445km, from 1100m to 2353m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €43
Adult lift pass 6 days: €205
www.evasion-montblanc.com
310km, from 1100m to 2620m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €40.90
Adult lift pass 6 days: €207.70
www.sybelles.com
Hirmentaz-Les Habères
3 Valleys (The)
50km, from 950 to 1610m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €22.10
Adult lift pass 6 days:
from €104.60 to €120.70
600km, from 600m to 3200m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €57
Adult lift pass 6 days: €277
www.les3vallees.com
Ski areas linked
with shuttle bus services
Massif des Aravis
220km, from 1000m to 2600m
Adult lift pass 6 days: €195.50
www.aravis.com
Savoie Grand Revard
50km, from 1350 to 1550m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €18.20
Adult lift pass 6 days: €89.60
www.savoiegrandrevard.com
Vallée de Chamonix
470km, from 1035 to 2525m
Adult lift pass 1 day: €56.50
Adult lift pass 6 days: €282
www.chamonix.com
4/5
vers Yverdon
LAUSANNE
vers Berne
Vevey
L é m a
n
c
L a
Montreux
Evian-les-Bains
Nyon
Thollon-lesMémises
Thonon-les-Bains
SUISSE
PORTES DU SOLEIL
ROC D’ENFER
Bellevaux /
La Chèvrerie
HIRMENTAZ LES HABÈRES
Bellevaux / Hirmentaz
les Habères
Lullin
Col du Feu
AIN
GenèveCointrin
Annemasse
le R
hôn
e
GENÈVE
St-Julienen-Genevois
vers Bourg-en-Bresse
le Rhône
Meythet
l ac
d' A
nn
cy
e
Montmin
Col de la Forclaz
le Semnoz
Flumet /
St-Nicolasla-Chapelle
Hérysur-Ugine
t
urge
u Bo
lac d
ESPACE DIAMANT
SAVOIE GRAND REVARD
Ugine
Faverges
St-Françoisde-Sales
la Giettazen-Aravis
la Sambuy
Vallorcine
ChamonixMont-Blanc
SUISSE
Aiguille du Midi
3842 m
l'Arve
les Houches
Combloux
Megève
Col du Grand
Saint-Bernard
VALLÉE DE CHAMONIX
Passy
Plaine-Joux
St-GervaisMont-Blanc
tunnel
Mont Blanc
du Mont Blanc
4810 m
Praz-sur-Arly
N.D.de Bellecombe
les ContaminesMontjoie
ÉVASION
MONT BLANC
Crest-Voland - Cohennoz
les Saisies
Hauteluce
Bisanne
vers Aoste, Milan
ESPACE SAN BERNARDO
Isère
Aillons Margériaz
le Buet
3099 m
Flaine
PARADISKI
la Féclaz
Martigny
Samoëns
les Carrozd'Arâches
SixtFer-à-Cheval
ArêchesBeaufort
Albertville
le Revard
Gd Mont Ruan
3047 m
vers Sion
GRAND MASSIF
Cordon
Manigod
Thônes
Morillon
Sallanches
St-Jean
-de-Sixt
la Clusaz
ANNECY
vers Ambérieu
Aixles-Bains
les Gets
MASSIF DES ARAVIS
Thorens-Glières
Champoussin
Val d’Illiez
les Crosets
Champéry
Morzine
Sommand le-Prazde-Lys
le GrandBornand
Châtel
Morgins
Avoriaz
Montriond
rve
Seyssel Sur Lyand
Rumilly
le Rhôn
e
St-Jeand'Aulps
PRAZ DE LYS - SOMMAND
le-Petit-BornandPlateau-des-Glières
Aéroport de
ChambéryAix-les-Bains
2433 m
Mont de Grange
St-Sigismond
Agy
la RocheBonneville
sur-Foron
Cluses
MontBrisonSaxonnex RommeSolaison
sur-Cluses
Orange-Montisel
le Reposoir
AIN
vers Belley
Abondance
l'A
Bellegardesur-Valserine
Massif
des Brasses
Bernex
Dent d’Oche
la ChapelleDrouzin-le-Mont
d'Abondance
le Biot
Granier-sur-Aime
BourgSt-Maurice
Séez
Isère
Villaroger
ITALIE
la Rosière
Ste-FoyTarentaise
les Arcs
Aime
PeiseyNâves
CHAMBÉRY
GRAND DOMAINE
Plagne- Montchavin- Vallandry le Mont pourri
3779 m
vers Lyon
lac
Montalbert
les Coches
d'Aiguebelette
Notre-DameSommet
Doucyde Bellecôte
Montmélian
ESPACE KILLY
du Pré
la Plagne
Combelouvière
3461 m
ChampagnyMoûtiers
Tignes
Doron
en-Vanoise
de Boz
re
Celliers
Valmorel
el
BridesIsè
Val-d'Isère
GranierBozel
le Désert d’Entremont
les-Bains
en-Chartreuse
Val Gelon
la
Tania
St-FrançoisCourchevel
la Rochette
Pointe de
Longchamp
la Grande Casse
St-Martin3855 m
Méribel
de-Belleville
PralognanBonnevalla-Vanoise
sur-Arc
Saint-Pierrec
r
LES 3 VALLÉES
le Grand
A
l’
de-Chartreuse
LES SYBELLES
Coin
Bessans
le Planolet
ISÈRE
les Ménuires
l’A
VAL CENIS VANOISE
rc
la Dent Parrachée
St-Colomban3684 m
des-Villards
Jarrier St-Jean-deVal Cenis
Val-Thorens
Maurienne
vers Grenoble
Termignonles
Bottières
lac
la Toussuire
Aussois Sollières- la-Vanoise du Mont Cenis
St-MichelSardières
de-Maurienne
le Corbier
Orelle Modane
St-Jean- les Karellis
Bramans
d'Arves
St-Sorlinla Norma
d'Arves
Valmeinier
tunnel
de Fréjus
Albiez Valfréjus
vers Turin
Valloire
Pic de l'Etendard
Montrond
3468 m
N
Aiguille d'Arves
3510 m
GALIBIER THABOR
Fully linked ski area
0
Linked via shuttles
10 km
©latitude-cartagene 2013
HAUTES-ALPES
ITALIE
Chamonix Hôtel Héliopic Sweet & Spa © Leslie Gautier
Where to stay
Where to stay
in Savoie Mont Blanc this winter
There are 1044 hotels in Savoie Mont Blanc, including 36 five-star hotels and 2 palaces.
New for winter 2013/14
Chamonix
éliopic Sweet & Spa
H
This new four-star hotel, built in a chalet style, will open in midDecember. Located just a few metres from the Aiguille du Midi
lift station and facing Mont Blanc, the Héliopic Sweet & Spa has
102 bedrooms. The décor is classy and cosy, with a touch of 50s
and 60s style. The hotel has a 500m2 spa with a pool, a waterwall, a steam room, an ice-cave and several treatment rooms.
The Héliopic Sweet & Spa is a family-friendly hotel with specific
fun areas with games for children.
http://heliopic-hotel-spa.com
CourcheveL
L’Apogée
In the heart of the Jardin Alpin in Courchevel 1850, five-star
hotel L’Apogée will open on 11 December 2013. Made of 33
suites, 20 spacious bedrooms and a penthouse with a private
terrace, L’Apogée offers all the comfort and luxury one can
expect from a five-star hotel. It also has a private chalet by the
hotel with five bedrooms and a cinema.
L’Apogée is a ski-in, ski-out hotel, with private access to the
slopes for its guests. The hotel’s restaurant is supervised by two
Michelin star chef Yannick Franques. The hotel’s spa has four
treatment rooms and a suite for the traditional Russian ritual
‘Banïya’.
www.lapogeecourchevel.com
Le Petit Palais
Le Petit Palais is a new luxury chalet, ideally located on the
Bellecote slope and just five minutes from the resort’s centre. Le
Petit Palais has seven bedrooms over six floors, a cinema, a bar,
a nightclub and a spa with a 13m long pool, as well as a Jacuzzi,
a sauna, a steam room, a massage room and a fitness area.
www.courchevel.com
VAL THORENS
Le Koh-I-Nor
The Koh-I-Nor is the name of the 105.6 carat diamond set in the
Queen of England’s crown, and it’s also the name of Val Thorens’
new five-star hotel. In Persian, this name translates as “mountain
of light”, which perfectly sums up this new hotel’s unusual
architecture. Situated on the mountainside and built largely
from glass facades, the Koh-I Nor will be bathed in light and will
offer beautiful views over the Alps.
The hotel has 56 rooms and suites, a spa offering Valmont
treatments and beauty products and a gastro restaurant.
www.hotel-kohinor.com
Lagrange is opening a new residence in Pralognan-laVanoise. Located at the bottom of the slopes, Les Haut de
Vanoise residence is perfectly integrated into the protected
environment of the resort. Made of wood and stones, the
residence has 84 apartments, ranging from studios for two
to duplex apartments for ten. The residence has an indoor
pool, a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub and a fitness room.
www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk
Val Thorens Hôtel Koh-I Nor©Hôtel Koh-I Nor
6/7
samoëns
Le Grand Cerf
Located in the centre of the village, Le Grand Cerf is a new
three-star hotel with 6 suites and Savoyard décor. Each suite
has a private terrace with beautiful views over the mountains.
The hotel has a spa with a swimming pool and a sauna.
www.samoens.com
Le Kalinda
A new MGM residence called Le Kalinda is opening in Tignes
1800. Situated in the heart of Espace Killy’s new village, the
new residence has 108 apartments and an Ô Des Cimes spa.
Les 5 frères
In Val d’Isère, Le Bellevue Hotel has become the Maison de
Famille Les 5 Frères.
Le Bellevue, Val d’Isère’s second hotel, was opened in 1936 by
Cécile Mattis. Her son Roger and his wife Yvonne helped her to
run the hotel. Their five sons were born and grew up in the
hotel. Today, the Mattis family has decided to turn the hotel into
a ‘family house’ that tells the story of the five brothers.
This family house has 17 bedrooms and flexible spaces to
accommodate groups and families. Family activities such as
sledding or slalom contests can be organised by the Maison de
Famille Les 5 Frères. Guests can take their dinner in the house’s
dining room, ‘La Table d’Yvonne’.
www.les5freres.com
Chambéry
Le Petit Hotel Confidentiel
Chambéry, the capital of Savoie, is a pretty town and the
gateway to an array of ski resorts: Valmorel, Les Sybelles, 3
Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy and Espace Diamant are all within
a one and a half hour drive.
Petit Hotel Confidentiel is an original concept offering luxury
suites dotted among beautiful townhouses in the centre of
Chambéry; it includes a personal concierge service. Each suite is
decorated in a contemporary style with great attention to detail.
There is breakfast room service, and a candlelit dinner can be
served in the room. Each room has audio equipment, a television,
free Wi-Fi and a minibar.
A new suite has recently opened, La Grande Suite, which is
suitable for two adults and three children.
www. petithotelconfidentiel.com
Kalinda MGM © Attik Images
VAL D’ISÈRE
Val d’Isère Hôtel les 5 Frères © Patriache
Where to stay
Renovations
Courchevel
Le Cheval Blanc’s brasserie, Le White, has been redecorated
with different tones of cream and beige. Its terrace, located at
the foot of the slopes, will have a new live cooking area. The
hotel’s spa has a new area with a steam room, a Jacuzzi and a
new type of shower, which can be used either before or after a
pampering treatment by Guerlain.
www.chevalblanc.com
Five-star hotel Le Strato in Courchevel has redecorated its
indoor children’s area and is opening an outdoor play area.
www.hotelstrato.com
La Clusaz
Three-star hotel Best Western Alpen Roc has been renovated
inside and out. The bedrooms have been refurbished and are
now more spacious and the restaurant, bar and reception have
been revamped to create a cosier atmosphere. Outside, the
façade has been redone and new wooden balconies have been
added.
www.hotel-la-clusaz.com
Les Menuires
In Saint Marcel, La Bouitte, famous for its two Michelin star
restaurant, has six new bedrooms, all decorated in a stylish and
cosy mountain style. La Bouitte is also opening a luxury chalet
just 1km away from the hotel, in the village of Saint Martin de
Belleville. The chalet can host up to eight guests in a superb
160m2 apartment.
www.la-bouitte.com
Argentière
The UCPA center in Argentière has been completely renovated.
UCPA organises package holidays for 18 to 39 year-olds.
www.ucpa.co.uk
Méribel
In Méribel Mottaret, the four-star hotel the Alpen Ruitor has
refurbished all its bedrooms on the second and third floors.
http://www.alpenruitor.com
Morzine
Four-star hotel Champs Fleuris in Morzine is opening a spa area
with a pool, a sauna, a steam room and two massage rooms.
www.hotel-champs-fleuris.com
Tignes
Tignes now has a five-star hotel! Les Suites du Nevada in
Tignes Val Claret has been awarded a fifth star.
www.les-suites-du-nevada.com
Le Grand Bornand
Three-star hotel Les Cîmes is reinventing itself. Three suites
have been created and the bedrooms have been enlarged and
decorated with precious objects. The hotel also has a new spa
area with a steam room and a sauna.
www.hotel-les-cimes.com
Val Thorens
The Fitz Roy hotel has undergone a full redesign for this winter
and has earned a fifth star in the process. A new chic, discreet
and intimate setting with the cosy refinement of a large family
chalet gives a ‘feel at home’ atmosphere.
www.hotelfitzroy.com
Val d’Isère
The quirky and chic hotel the Omerlune has been awarded a
fourth star.
www.ormelune.com
Hôtel les roches fleuries © Frédéric Berthet
8/9
Authentic mountain accommodation
Savoie Mont Blanc’s large ski resorts have a wide range of
accommodation, ranging from budget to luxury. Some of the
smaller resorts have less choice but offer a more authentic
mountain experience.
La Grange de mon père
In the village of Beaufort, in the Beaufortain, Jaques and Eliane
Maurin have transformed the barn of their family farm into a
beautiful Bed and Breakfast. They have used original materials
to keep a traditional look and have made use of eco-friendly
heating and insulation to limit the impact on the environment.
La Grange de mon Père has three spacious en-suite bedrooms
and a charming dining room where guests can taste local food
prepared by Eliane.
www.lagrangedemonpere.net
Les Roches fleuries
Located in the picturesque hamlet of Cordon, at 7km from
Megève, Les Roches Fleuries is a beautiful four-star chalet
hotel, with 21 bedrooms and 4 suites. Guests can get the best
of both worlds: stay in a quiet and unspoilt mountain
environment, while being close to some of the most famous
French ski resorts.
The hotel also organises transfers to Chamonix, which is at
32km, and can book mountain guides for the Vallées Blanche or
other off piste areas. Additionally, they can organise heli-skiing
in Courmayeur.
www.rochesfleuries.com
The Mountain Lodge
The Mountain Lodge in Saint François-Longchamp is a pretty
chalet nestled in a hamlet by the road of the famous Col de la
Madeleine. This four-bedroom bed and breakfast has beautiful
views, a gym, a sauna and a 200m2 terrace with a hot tub.
www.mountainlodge-sfl.fr
Les Fermes des Lombardes
Les Fermes des Lombardes is a large chalet which was built in
1903, situated in the picturesque village of Saint Jean-de-Sixt,
part of the Lake Annecy ski resorts. The chalet has been
completely renovated by an architect and local craftsmen so
that it is in a contemporary mountain style. Les Fermes des
Lombardes is made of five spacious apartments. One of them,
the Grenier, which means the loft, can host up to 14 guests over
275m2.
Les Fermes des Lombardes offers a range of services: breakfast
delivery, food shopping, lift pass booking, etc.
www.lafermedeslombardes.com
La Greppa
At the end of the Maurienne Valley, in the Vanoise national park
and at the foot of the Iseran pass, Bonneval sur Arc is a real
hidden gem. Annie and Patrick Roby welcome guests to their
two-bedroom Bed and Breakfast, La Greppa, in the heart of this
picturesque village which is a member of the association called
‘The most beautiful villages in France’. Built during the 17th
century, La Greppa is one the village’s oldest houses and has
been perfectly restored with local materials.
Bonneval sur Arc has 25km of slopes, but is also a real paradise
for off piste and ski touring.
This is from €65 for a night for two with breakfast.
www.la-greppa.fr
Oxalys Jean Sulpice © Val_Thorens_Officiel
Where to eat
Where to eat in Savoie Mont Blanc
Savoie Mont Blanc has some of the best ski areas in the world, but also some of the best restaurants,
both in the resorts and on the slopes. The area has 31 Michelin star restaurants, and a multitude of other
excellent venues, suiting all tastes and budgets.
New restaurants and deli
Val Thorens
New five-star hotel, the Koh-I-Nor, has a two Michelin star chef
taking the reins of its restaurant and brasserie. Yoann Conte is
from Britanny but has a special link with Savoie Mont Blanc; he
graduated from Thonon-les-Bains’s cooking school and worked
in Annecy with Laurent Petit and in Chamonix with Pierre Carrier.
In 2010, he took over the La Maison de Marc Veyrat, à Veyrierdu-Lac, by Lake Annecy. He is taking his team to the Koh-I-Nor
to shine at high altitude.
Val Thorens’ famous brasserie, Le Galoubet, is becoming La
Maison Blanche, a new traditional brasserie offering simple
good food in a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere. Its
signature dish is a side of beef accompanied by aligot (an Aubrac
Tomme cheese and potato dish). This is tender and delicious
beef prepared thanks to its two chefs’ undeniable know-how.
The atmosphere is cosy throughout with furs, a central fireplace,
natural materials, and ceruse-finished white wood that contrasts
with the colourful designer outdoor furniture.
The two Michelin star restaurant the Oxalys is now called
Restaurant Jean Sulpice, after its chef. Holder of two
Michelin stars and a Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef award,
Jean Sulpice loves sharing knowledge and experiences and
opening up his kitchens to the outside world. He is also
bringing out a new book, From one winter to another,
which is to be published by Editions Glénat and in which he
shares his passion, talent and values.
CourcheveL
La Cave des Creux is a new mountain restaurant in Courchevel,
owned and managed by two brothers from the resort who are
also ski instructors. La Cave des Creux is brasserie at 2,112m,
with an extensive wine list including local wines and grand crus.
les arcs
Ideally located by the side of the slope, L’Aiguille Grive is the
only mountain restaurant in Arc 1800, accessible by both ski
and foot. It makes the perfect place for skiers and non-skiers to
meet and share an enjoyable lunch together, or a mulled wine
and a cake. Once the slope closes, L’Aiguille Grive stays open to
welcome diners for a candle-light meal with music.
La Rosière
L’Antigel is a new mountain restaurant in La Rosière. At the
bottom of the slalom stadium Joël Chenal, it can seat up to 90
people inside, and 150 outside on its beautiful terrace. L’Antigel
serves traditional mountain dishes as well as snacks, and it has
an excellent wine list.
Le Grand Bornand
L’Entracte, one of the best restaurants in Le Grand-Bornand
Chinaillon, is opening a wine bar and shop by the restaurant. O
Vin Cœur is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine with some
tapas made from local products.
© JD Sudres
10/11
Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Les Marquises is a new mountain restaurant situated next to
the Marquise chairlift. The restaurant has two terraces with
views over the Arbine, Mont Pourri and the Thuria Glacier. The
owner is Savoyard and her husband is from Sardinia, but has
been living in Sainte Foy for 20 years. They will offer dishes
made of fresh products and local meat cooked on a plancha.
Les Saisies
Un Flocon dans le Thé is a new deli and tea room which offers
a wide range of teas, organic coffees and yummy hot chocolates.
Un Flocon dans le Thé also has a ‘Cookiserie’, an area dedicated
to homemade cookies and cakes; these can be enjoyed there or
taken away.
Méribel
La Table du Ruitor, located within the hotel Alpen Ruitor in
Méribel Mottaret, has been entirely refurbished and offers
refined and tasty cuisine made from top quality produce. With a
new menu and a new floor plan, La Table du Ruitor is open from
early morning to late evening. You can enjoy a continental buffet
in the breakfast chalet, lunch on the terrace or indoors, afternoon
tea in the lounge or in the library by the fire, and evening drinks
in the bar.
© JeromeKelagopian
Boutique Farto is a new deli, set up by local Jonathan Chantemesse, his brother and his wife. The three of them carefully select
the best cheeses and the best regional specialties. They favour
short-circuit distribution and travel the Alps, across Burgundy and
the Maconnais region in search of new flavours. Their wine cellar
is a hidden gem.
© JD Sudres Fromage
Where to eat
Insider tips
Avoid paying a fortune for a bad spag bol and have a tasty lunch
on the slopes that won’t break the bank!
les houches
Les Vieilles Luges is a 250 year-old alpine chalet located on the
slopes, accessible by ski or on foot from the Maison Neuve car
park (20 minutes on foot). The owner is a local from the
Chamonix Valley, married to an Australian woman. Their roots
have influenced their creative menu: leek and cheese crumble,
Reblochon cheesecake…
www.lesvieillesluges.com
la plagne
Families with young children will be delighted by Le Forperet in
Montalbert.
It serves tasty traditional cuisine at very reasonable prices (the
plat du jour is €10) and it has a mini farm! Children can visit the
farm and see cows, sheep, donkeys, rabbits and geese.
http://forperet.com/
AUSSOIS
Le Montana has great views and a friendly atmosphere. The
menu includes many meat dishes; all the local specialities, such
as the tartiflette and raclette; and their own burger, the
MacMontana XXL. The latter is a large piece of high quality
mincemeat between two large pieces of bread, with melted
reblochon and raclette cheese, blueberry mustard, grilled speck,
onions, tomatoes and gherkins. The Mac Montana XXL is served
with fries and costs €16.
www.chalet-montana.com
lES GETS
La Grande Ourse is the resort’s highest mountain restaurant, at
1,750m. Managed by a British family from Cornwall, La Grande
Ourse has a great atmosphere and a beautiful terrace with
views of Mont Blanc. The signature dish is a Cornish version of a
traditional Savoyard dish: a lobster, scallop and bacon tartiflette
with melted reblochon cheese and a green salad.
www.lagrandeourse.eu
ARECHES-BEAUFORT
Le Bus Gourmet is a restaurant located in a bus! Next to the
Grand Mont slope, the friendly owners of the bus, Michel and
François, prepare original dishes based on local products, as well
as a few Asian dishes. It is around €10 for a main.
samoëns
Le Gite du Lac de Gers is a unique restaurant, located in a
remote and beautiful area which is only accessible via a 14km
long run, La Cascade. At the bottom of the run, skiers need to
press a button to call the restaurant’s owner who will come to
pick up skiers with his snowmobile.
Chataigne ChaudFroid © JD Sudres
la clusaz
If you want a delicious lunch and succulent deserts, head to Le
Bercail, an old chalet on le Cret du Merle slope.
Igloo La Plagne © Ph Royer
12/13
A small adventure
Make a ski holiday even more special by having an unforgettable
experience: snowshoe to a Yourt and make your own cheese
fondue, take a ski tour under the stars, or dine in an igloo. More
and more resorts offer unusual après-ski activities. Here is a
small selection.
AUSSOIS
Hike under the stars (randonnée sous les étoiles), with Gérard,
a local ski instructor and mountain guide. Gérard meets his
guests at 6pm in the resort and takes them for a wonderful
hour-long walk under the stars, up to a refuge, where a welldeserved cheese fondue with local charcuterie awaits his
walkers. This is €22 per person.
valmorel
Vamorel organises ‘resto-apéro-gliss’ which takes place every
Wednesday. After a delicious dinner of local specialties in a
mountain restaurant, guests slide down in the resort on a Snakegliss. This is from €26 to €50 per person.
FLAINE
On evenings where there is a full moon, skiers can take the last
cable car des Grandes Platières to the Désert Blanc restaurant,
which is situated at 2480m. They are welcomed with a drink,
followed by a Savoyard meal. Later in the evening, they ski down
to the resort in the moonlight: 900m of magical vertical descent!
© Val_Thorens_Officiel
AVORIAZ
Ski and outdoor sport school, Evolution 2, organises snowshoeing outings by night. From the resort, you walk for an hour
with snowshoes to an igloo or a tipi and enjoy a traditional
mountain dinner. This is from €30 per person with the snowshoe
hire, the guide and the dinner included.
Spa de Flaine © MGM
New
New on the slopes and in the resorts
Prevention comes first!
New in Tignes
More and more resorts now have ski patrols out on the slopes
giving safety advice to skiers. These experts can answer
questions about speed, slope crossings, the risk of avalanches
and anything else relating to safety.
Since winter 2011/12, Courchevel has had a patrol of 11 workers
from the 3 Valleys Lift company, and they are called the Serenity
Patrol.
Le Grand Bornand is creating a patrol this winter, and it will be
made up of professional pisteurs.
Tignes les Boisses is being revamped and has been renamed
Tignes 1800. Three new chalet residences will open in December
2013, and another three are scheduled to open in December
2016. The objective is to make Tignes 1800 a family-friendly
village with all the services needed for an easy and enjoyable
ski holiday: ski school, crèche, shops and restaurants. Tignes
1800 is linked to the Espace Killy via Les Boisses gondola.
New pool and fitness centres
in Grand Massif
les carroz
A new aquaform centre is opening. It boasts outdoor and indoor
pools, a steam room, saunas, hot tubs, massage showers and a
relaxation room. There is also a fitness centre and yoga area.
flaine
A new wellness centre situated at the Centaure in Flaine Forum
and covering 2000m2, it includes a 25m indoor pool, a children’s
pool, hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room, treatment rooms and a gym.
The 3 Valleys Goggles by Scott, fitted with the RECON
system, enable riders to read information on the screen of
their goggles via Bluetooth and their Smartphone. Thanks
to this brand new technology developed by LUMIPLAN,
riders can access real time information about the resort:
weather forecast, slope openings and so on. This is the first
pair of goggles of this type and they can be tested this
winter in the 3 Valleys. They will be on sale in sport shops.
As it was built in 1986, Tignes sport centre needed a revamp.
After two years of work, Tignespace is opening this season,
with 1600m2 dedicated to team sports (volleyball, tennis,
football, basketball, badminton and so on); there is also a 900m2
area for athletics, two rooms for yoga, dance and martial art
classes, a gym, three squash courts and a climbing wall. Tignes
is definitely a sporty resort!
Extra activities on snow
The resorts of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise offer an array of
other snow activities, such as air tubbing, freeride snowshoeing
and air bag. This winter, holidaymakers are even able to try
bodyboarding on snow!
A new 3km long luge run, ‘La piste de luge de l’Arpette’, is
opening in the La Plagne-Bellecôte area.
Several resorts welcome mountain bikers on their slopes after
the skiers have left. Such is the case this winter in Saint-Sorlind’Arves. Mountain bikers can challenge themselves on a 7km
long run, with a vertical descent of 800m.
LesMenuires 3 Vallées - David ANDRE
14/15
New for famillies
New developments for children
A real treat for parents
les menuires
MÉRIBEL
Garde’n Spa is a new service. In partnership with the French Ski
School, Méribel provides free childcare while parents enjoy a
little pampering at the spa in the Olympic Park. Children are
cared for at the Piou-Piou day care nursery in the Olympic sports
complex between 5.30pm and 8.00pm. A number of specific
treatments are on offer at Garde’n Spa. Couples can enjoy a duo
modelling massage; for her, there is a traditional oriental
relaxing massage and for him, an ancient Indian massage with
warm oils to relieve tension and restore energy and vitality.
Speed mountain
Les Menuires has a brand new luge track on rails. Sitting in a
single-seat luge, children and adults have to challenge Boutky,
the resort’s mascot, on a 1200m long track with twists and
banked turns. Each person’s speed is shown on three different
parts of the track so lugers know how fast they are going, whether
it is as slow as a snail (0.002km/h) or a marmot (17km/h), or as
fast and agile as a hare (65km/h) or a mountain goat (70km/h).
Speed Mountain is a great family activity. It is open to children
from three years old who can sit with their parents.
Mini KL
Les Menuires has now got a new speed skiing run. Open to all,
this run allows skiers to calculate their maximum speed. Located
on the Plans slope, the run is accessible by the Sunny Express
chairlift or the Bruyères 1 gondola.
A new run for children
Le Chemin des Zouzous is a 2km long run in the Pléney area.
Children and their parents can discover the local fauna through
the sculptures of local animals along the way, such as a wolf, a
fox and a stag. Bumps and banked turns have been added to the
run so that children can have even more fun.
FLAINE
Flaine has created a new learning area for kids called The
Forest. It is a fun area with whoops and banked turns, all running
through the forest.
prazde lys-sommand
Baby dog sledding
In the small family, children from 3 to 7 years old can try dog
sledding with equipment adapted to their size. This is €35 per
child for a half day.
Famille Plus label
Savoie Mont Blanc has 24 resorts with this label which
guarantees a dedicated and quality service for children
(certification requirements: a crèche for children from the
age of six months, children cared for by professionals,
activities to suit every age, quality infrastructure, medical
first aid for minor injuries, and family pricing policy).
Many resorts offer Free lift passes
Free for children under five years old: Châtel, Combloux,
Cordon, Destination Sybelles, Flaine, La Clusaz, Le GrandBornand, Le Corbier, Les Albiez, Les Carroz, Les Contamines,
Morillon, Orelle, Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, Praz de LysSommand, Saint Sorlin d’Arves-Les Sybelles, Vallée d’Aulps,
Valloire-Galibier, Valmeinier, Les Menuires and La Rosière.
Free for children under six years old: Bonneval sur Arc, Les
Arcs – Bourg Saint Maurice, La Plagne, Les AillonsMargeriaz, Les Saisies, Peisey-Vallandry, Savoie Grand
Revard and Val Thorens. In Saint-Foy children can ski for
free until they are seven years old!
free ride world tour Credit FWT_Chamonix_TREPO
Events
Events: watch, listen, take part
Watch
The 10th Anniversary of Paradiski
December 2013
On 20 December 2003, skiers took, for the first time, the Vanoise
Express (the world’s largest cable car) to discover the 425km
of runs in Paradiski. Linking Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry and La
Plagne, Paradiski is the second largest interconnected ski area
in the world.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary in style, Paradiski has asked
French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to decorate
the Vanoise Express cable car. The famous designer will create
something unique that will adorn the cable car all season.
Paradiski is also organising a unique and exciting event which
will take place on 16 December 2013: the Paradiski Gravity.
Two of the world’s best highliners, Julien Millot and Tancrède
Melet, will attempt to go from one cabin to another on a slackline,
at a height of 380m!
10th Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc
11–22 January
Since the first event in 2005, the Grande Odyssée has been
one of the world’s most difficult dog sledding races. The Grande
Odyssée 2014 will take place over 11 days, including nine stages
and covering a total distance of 750km, with 30,000 metres of
vertical climb. The time trial will take place in Samoëns on
Saturday 11 January, and on Sunday 12, 30 of the world’s best
mushers will start the race in Les Carroz. On Wednesday 22
January, they will cross the finishing line in Val Cenis, in Haute
Maurienne Vanoise, after going through the Giffre Valley, Les
Gets, Savoie Grand Revard, Megève and Aussois. Entertainments
and parties will take place at the different stages during the
11 days of the race. To read more about this please visit
www.grandeodyssee.com
Biathlon World Cup - Grand Bornand
9–15 December
Le Grand Bornand is hosting a stage of the Biathlon World Cup
in its Sylvie Becaert stadium, named after the resort’s Olympic
champion in biathlon. 25,000 spectators are expected to attend
this exciting event.
Swatch Freeride World Tour - Chamonix
25 January
The world’s best freeriders compete on the Pentes de l’Hotel,
on the Brevent side of the valley. This is a spectacular show to
watch and there is a great atmosphere in the town during the
event, with live music, parties and entertainments. To read more,
see
www.freerideworldtour.com
Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique (firework festival) Courchevel
15 February–15 March
Launched in 2003, this festival is now a very successful event.
In 2011, for its 10th anniversary, 30,000 spectators came to
watch these stunning fireworks.
5th Winter X Games - Tignes
19–21 March
The Winter X Games in Tignes are celebrating their 5th
anniversary! Just back from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi,
the world’s 100 best freestylers will compete over three days
in the only European stage of the Winter X Games. In 2013,
117,000 people came to Tignes to watch the event. Great shows
and parties are guaranteed!
Courchevel © Patrick Pachod
16/17
Listen
Classicaval – Val d’Isère
21–23 January and 18–20 March
Classicaval is a renowned classical music festival with
internationally acclaimed musicians playing. It is held in the
Saint-Bernard de Menthon Baroque church.
Brides-les-Bains fait sa muzik
19–21 February
A three-day rock, blues and jazz festival.
Rock the Pistes Festival – Les Portes du Soleil
26–30 March
For the fourth year in a row, Les Portes du Soleil is hosting the
Rock the Piste Festival. Over four days, outdoor concerts take
place all over the Portes du Soleil.
Take part
10th Anniversary of Les Arcs 1950
To celebrate its 10th anniversary with skiers who like Les Arcs
1950, or who wish to discover the resort, Les Arcs 1950 is
offering an array of prizes: whole weeks of accommodation in
1950, ski lessons, ski hire and other surprises. Log on at www.
arc1950.com from mid-September to try your luck!
12 february
A play with fantastical characters showing the history of the
resort will take place.
Ski Force Winter Tours - Val Thorens
23–24 November
This involves free equipment tests from 18 of the biggest
international ski brands. DJ Mix Ski Force Winter Tour: Open Air
Live Mix and Show Mapping Video, from 8pm to 1am in Place
Caron. This is a free evening which is open to all.
Rock on Snowboard Tour – Val Thorens
30 November–1 December
Snowboarders can test the 2014 equipment for free.
Roc’n Bike Festival – Les Menuires
18–19 January
New: Mountain biking enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the first Roc’n
Bike Festival. During this brand new event, mountain bikers will
be able to test equipment, take lessons and take part in different
types of competitions.
Ski Alpinism World Cup – Courchevel
25–26 January
After hosting the Ski Alpinism French Championships in 2012
and 2013, Courchevel is organising its first stage of the World
Cup. It will be a spectacular event to watch, but you can also
take part! 30 seconds after the start, non-pros will have their
official start!
Alpes Home Exhibition – Méribel
14–26 February
Alpes Home is a unique event where the exhibitors are architects,
interior designers, craftsmen, artists, and so on… all from the
Alps (France, Switzerland or Italy). To take part in this event,
exhibitors have to guarantee that their products are created
and made in the Alps, according to some very strict criteria.
Visitors can buy unique pieces of furniture, decorations, paintings
and so on.
Méribel has hosted the Alpes Home Exhibition in the summer
for the last four years. This is the first time that the exhibition
is in the winter. It will take place at the ice-rink, every day from
the 14th to the 26th of February, from 4pm to 10pm.
Pierra Menta – Arêches Beaufort
20–23 March
The Pierra Menta is a legendary ski alpinisme, or ski
mountaineering, race which has been taking place in Arêches
Beaufort, France’s capital of ski alpinisme, for 29 years. There
are four stages over four days of challenging racing, with
between 2,000 and 3,000 metres of uphill vertical a day. The
race is open to professionals and non-professionals alike.
© SavoieMont Blanc - Givois
Practical
information
How to get to
Savoie Mont Blanc
By plane
A large number of airlines fly to Lyon, Geneva,
Chambéry and Grenoble
Lyon: www.lyonaeroports.com
Geneva Aiport: www.gva.ch
Chambéry: www.chambery-airport.com
Grenoble: www.grenoble-airport.com
By train
Savoie Mont Blanc’s two main cities are easily
accessible by train.
Chambéry is a three-hour train journey from
Paris and Annecy is a four-hour train journey
from Paris.
During the winter season, Eurostar trains run
direct from London to the French Alps (Moûtiers,
Aime-la-Plagne, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice) on
Friday evenings and Saturday mornings during
the ski season.
www.raileurope.co.uk
By car
From Britain, use the A6 or A39 motorways to
head rapidly towards the French Alps. Savoie
and Haute Savoie’s towns, villages, valleys and
ski resorts are easy to get to, whatever the
time of year.
• Calais - Chambéry: 874 km (543 miles)
• Calais - Annecy: 822 km (510 miles)
18/19
Contacts
UK
Montagnes Representation
Nadine Carle-Edgar
[email protected]
+44 (0)7905 25 24 60
France
Céline Guillermin
[email protected]
+33 (0)4 79 85 96 99
Facebook :
https://facebook.com/Savoie.Mont.Blanc
Twitter :
@SMBlntl
Pictures can be downloaded from
www.phototheque.savoie-mont-blanc.com
© Savoie Mont Blanc - Lansard
See you soon
in Savoie Mont Blanc
Y WOND
- Photo de couverture : © Savoie Mont Blanc - Lebeau
SIM
R
FU
L •
L
PL
PL
FU
2013
2014
Mise en page :
I
• S
M
Y
WONDER
E