Press Contact

 INTRODUCTION From the Vosges mountain range to the Massif Central, from the Jura region to the Alps, not forgetting the Pyrenees… mountains cover nearly 25% of the French national territory and are home to more than 300 ski resorts. These destinations present a rich and diverse geographical profile, as well as excellent standards of facilities and services to satisfy even the most discerning tourist. The charm and appeal of village resorts will entice visitors in search of tradition and authenticity with their vast choice of accommodation (hotels, chalets, tourism apartment residences, holiday clubs…) and something to suit every budget. Nothing beats a stay in the fresh mountain air for that revitalising boost; a well‐being holiday for guaranteed escapism! With some 6000 ski slopes covering 25 000 hectares, France boasts the world’s largest ski area accessed by the most advanced ski‐lift systems available. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy superb snow, majestic scenery and idyllic conditions. Family holidays couldn’t be better catered for thanks to the “Family Plus” label of quality which awards resorts with a dedicated certification based on the high standards of facilities and services available for children. There are numerous and stringent selection criteria in place for this award and all resorts continuously strive towards improving facilities available to all visitors. Women are truly spoiled when it comes to ski resorts: an increasing number of accommodations feature a range of facilities such as a Spa, pool or fitness centre. This makes for the perfect combination of well‐
being and enjoyment throughout your stay. All our winter sports destinations proudly boast the finest quality local cuisine, a unique and distinctly French characteristic. From more traditional dishes prepared in a rustic ambience, to the finest dining in Michelin Star rated restaurants; the culinary delights of the mountains promise never to disappoint. The “France Montagnes” association was created in September 2009 in order to highlight and promote all the mountain regions of France, both nationally and internationally. This association is the main reference body for all winter resort businesses and commerce and its members include all tourism professionals within the winter sports industry. For the latest news and special offers go to www.france‐montagnes.com CONTACTS FRANCE MONTAGNES Frédérique CHENAL 24 voie St Exupéry – Alpespace Batiment Annapurna 73800 Francin ‐ France f.chenal@france‐montagnes.com Tel.: +33 (0)4 79 65 06 75 ‐ Fax.: +33 (0)4 79 72 31 78 ATOUT FRANCE ‐ Frankrigs Turistråd Christine ABY Ranskan Matkailun Edistämiskeskus Toldbodgade 18 ‐ 1253 København K Danemark [email protected] Tlf: +45 33 43 33 22 ‐ Fax : +45 33 14 20 48
COPYRIGHTS : J.P.Baralo ‐ A.Perier‐ J.Clatot – T. SHU ‐ Chalet_Colinn ‐ A. PARANT ‐ A. MICHON ‐ Matthieu Vitré ‐ Gilles Lansart ‐ Valérie Poret ‐DAVID_ANDRE ‐ FABRICE_WITTNER ‐ Gilles Plagnol ‐ Philippe Royer ‐ Hôtel Kaya ‐ G.Place ‐ N.Joly ‐ Pascal Lebeau ‐ Pierrick Verny ‐ E.Bergoend ‐ M.Gambier ‐ Resort Club Arc 1950 ‐ Image de synthèse Village Edenarc ‐ Elodie Lantelme ‐ Aravis / Sylvie Chappaz ‐ La Clusaz / Greg Dieu ‐ C.Arnal ‐ Jérôme Kélagopian ‐ Patrick Pachod ‐ Pascal TOURNAIRE ‐ Mario COLONEL ‐ Monica DALMASSO ‐ mark‐buscail ‐ Laurent Salino ‐B. LONGO‐ JP Noisillier/Nuts.fr – Elina Sirparanta – B. Koumanov – J. Gotteland ‐ C. MOLITOR – L. COLLINET – Philippe ROYER ‐ MGM Cimes Blanches – JF VUARAND / Chatel Tourisme Top Of The French Alps resorts Top Of The French Alps is a group of the most emblematic French resorts, offering services that meet the requirements of an international clientele: • Easy access Close to international airports and railroad stations, with regular shuttle services to the resorts. • Excellent reception Many languages are spoken at the various reception areas, such as tourism offices, lodging facilities, ski‐lift companies. • Ski area features Linked areas that can reach up to 600 km of ski‐trails, equipped with modern ski‐lift facilities, snow‐guns, practice areas for new winter sports (snow parks, cross‐country skiing, etc.) or for beginners / families (theme trails), with infinite free‐style ski possibilities (company of a professional recommended). • Large reception capacity and comfortable lodging facilities Quaint hotels / renovated spacious condos / chalets offering additional services (e.g. daily housekeeping services). • Diverse entertainment and commercial amenities to meet non‐skier expectations ‐ depending on the resort Marked snowshoe tracks / hikers, luge tracks, paragliding, rest areas / spas, skating rinks, discovering the heritage, night skiing, bowling, clubs, movies, etc. • Many international cultural and sports events Exhibits, shows / concerts, festivals (e.g. international comedy film festival), try‐outs for the alpine ski world cup, ski‐joering championships, car races on ice, etc. • Diverse food selections Regional specialties, but also restaurants featuring international cuisine or specialty dishes by award‐winning chefs. • Powerful international promotion Web sites translated into several languages, easy access to information about these resorts. • The resorts are widely booked by foreign tour‐operators This guarantees the quality of these resorts’ offers internationally, and it facilitates the booking of the “all inclusive“ packages locally. We have what it L’ALPE D’HUEZ ‐ LES 2 ALPES ‐ CHATEL ‐ COURCHEVEL LA CLUSAZ ‐ LA ROSIERE ‐ LA PLAGNE ‐ LES ARCS ‐ LES MENUIRES SERRE CHEVALIER ‐ TIGNES ‐ VAL D’ISERE ‐ VAL THORENS Hit the slopes
for Annecy 2018!
Annecy and Savoie Mont-Blanc are carrying France’s hopes of hosting the 2018
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Located in the heart of the Savoy region,
the leading winter sports destination on the planet, Annecy 2018 promises
to give sport and the whole world the most memorable event ever.
Designed for athletes and put together by champions, this project is guided by an ambition to serve the Olympic ideal
and promote its values. 1992 Olympic Mogul Skiing Champion Edgar Grospiron is heading the bid and he forms part of
a formidable team of sporting champions, all focused on promoting Annecy 2018, including Antoine Dénériaz, Perrine
Pelen, Jean-Pierre Vidal, Gwendal Peizerat, Florence Masnada, Aimé Jacquet, Denis Barbet, Philippe Bozon and
Sandrine Bailly.
The bid is based on four cornerstones: the greatest possible comfort for all athletes to optimize their performances,
an innovative sustainable development program for the region, a powerful legacy for young people, and the desire to
contribute to the worldwide prestige of the Olympic Games.
Imagine the Winter Olympic Games held in an exceptional playground flanked by the everlasting snows of Mont Blanc
and the clear waters of the purest lake in Europe. That is the stunning natural vision proposed by Annecy 2018, France’s
Bid to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!
CALENDAR
18 March 2009
The French National Olympic and Sporting Committee (CNOSF) selects
Annecy as France’s candidate to host the 2018 Olympic Games
12-28 February 2010
Candidate cities participate in the Observer Program at the 2010 Winter
Olympic Games in Vancouver
15 March 2010
Candidate cities return the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC)
application questionnaire
22 June 2010
The IOC officially designates Annecy a ‘Candidate city’ for the 2018
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, along with Munich (Germany)
and PyeongChang (South Korea)
11 January 2011
Submission of candidature files to the IOC
Before 6 June 2011
Publication of the IOC Evaluation Commission’s report 6 July 2011
Announcement of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics during
the 123rd Session of the IOC in Durban
Press Contact
Alexandra Carraz
Annecy 2018 Head of Media
Relations
00 33 (0)4 50 33 50 38
[email protected]
annecy2018.com
FRENCH CANDIDATE CITY FOR THE 2018 OLYMPIC
AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Press contact Valérie SERPOLLET Tel: +33 (0)4 76 11 44 47 Email: [email protected] Website: www.alpedhuez.com Press area: www.alpedhuez.com/hiver/fr/402/espace‐
presse.html Winter season: 04/12/10 to 30/04/11 ACCESS Station: Grenoble Airport: Lyon St Exupéry – Grenoble St Geoirs A winter and summer sports resort renowned for its extremely sunny climate, Alpe d’Huez (1,860 metres) is just one big paradise for people who love snowsports, pure mountain air and wide open spaces. Located on the Grandes Rousses Massif, the ski area faces due south, and is linked to the resort villages of Auris‐en‐Oisans, Huez‐en‐Oisans, Oz‐en‐Oisans, Vaujany and Villard‐Reculas.The summit, known as the Pic Blanc, is 3,330 metres high, and offers a grand panoramic view of the Ecrins National Park and the prestigious peaks of la Meije, la Muzelle, les Aiguilles d’Arve and Mont Blanc… FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS The family‐friendly and sporty resort of Alpe d'Huez has added its own facilities to complement the natural features of the site and provide holidaymakers with sports and cultural activities ‐ both indoors and out: two heated swimming pools (one outdoor and one indoor), an outdoor ice rink, a Sports and Conference centre that offers around thirty different activities that come free with the Visalp ski pass, a museum, library and 2 cinemas. There's something here for everyone ‐ whatever their age! VISALP: A SINGLE SKI PASS COVERING OVER 30 ACTIVITIES The VISALP ski pass is a single multi‐activity pass that gives you access not only to the ski area, but also to night skiing, cross‐country skiing, night tobogganing, the ice rinks in Alpe d’Huez, Oz and Auris, the two swimming pools (covered and outdoor), Vaujany's relaxation centre, numerous activities run by the Sports and Conference centre, the Huez and l'Oisans museum and the classical concert held every Thursday at the church of Notre‐Dame des Neiges (2€ charge). Ice age At an altitude of 2,700metres and accessible by the Grandes Rousses DMC lift, this ice cave was hollowed out of the snow by two mountain guides, Bruno Gardent and Bernard Lambolez. This ephemeral museum, where the silence has an almost religious quality, has a different theme every year. This year's theme: «les grosses têtes».. Prices: 4€ ‐ 3€ (groups and children). Access is easy for all, including pedestrians, via the Grandes Rousses gondola lift (2nd section). AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Hotel L'Ancolie**: at the heart of the traditional little village of Huez, l'Ancolie invites you to experience the charm of authentic mountain life. The hotel has been totally renovated, and welcomes you warmly into its enchanting interior of wood, stone and mountain decor. A gondola lift located just 300 metres away will take you to Alpe d'Huez and the ski area. Free shuttle buses also run between the village and the resort. Restaurant Au P'tit Creux: Set in the Vieil Alpe district, in a former alpine farmhouse that has been tastefuly restored whilst preserving the architectural traditions of Oisans, Bernadette and Jean‐Marc invite you to sample thoughtful, creative cuisine: gilt head bream carpaccio, beef pot au feu, winter vegetables, salted butter caramel... Lunch is served on the south‐facing terrace. Huez and l'Oisans museum: This winter, the museum has a new exhibition entitled "Gens d’ici – Vivre en Oisans Autrefois" ["Our ancestors ‐ life in Oisans in years gone by"] ‐ peddling wares, local skills, pastoral farming, mountain life, customs and beliefs, social life ‐ all of these themes will draw you in to the intimate lives of the inhabitants of the Oisans region of yesteryear. Entrance free with the Visalp ski pass and for children under 16 (otherwise: 2€). Guided talk on the exhibition once a week. MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Incredible vertical drops: In Alpe d'Huez, you can rack up 10,000 metres of vertical drop over 5 mythical routes, including more than 2,000 metres of downhill in one go without having to take a ski lift once. This is unique in the whole of France and Europe! The resort is home to the longest run in the world: the 16 kilometre Sarenne, which you can ski down day or night, whether you are a good skier or just a fan of the unusual. Several fun areas: the ski area boasts lots of fun areas, specially designed for everyone to have a good time: 2 snow parks (1 for beginners, 1 for experts), 1 boardercross (the favourite playground of our Skicross Champion Ophélie David), 1 night skiing run, 2 protected areas for children and beginners only and 1 toboggan run that is 1,200 metres long… Les Grandes Alpes: the ski areas of Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes (connected to La Grave) are accessible with the same ski pass (6 day pass or more). Each resort gives holidaymakers two days for free to explore the delights of the area. There is a daily helicopter link for skiers, plus regular shuttle buses. LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Plenty of sunshine: Situated on a south‐facing plateau at 1,860 metres, Alpe d’Huez and its ski area enjoy maximum sunshine levels: up to seven and a half hours in December and eleven hours in April. Météo France records an average of 300 days of sunshine per year in the resort. Le Spa du Chamois: Make the most of the benefits of the high mountain air and enjoy a renewed sense of well‐
being, health and vitality! Located in the 4* Au Chamois d’Or Hotel, the Spa is also open to non‐residents. A whole range of packages and treatments are available: well‐being massages, facial and body treatments, relaxing and luxuriating baths, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi… Ice Shock Bar: Cool sounds in icy surroundings and shooters in glasses made of ice ‐ it's all possible at the Ice‐Shock Bar ‐ and nowhere else! This high‐altitude bar made of ice up at 2,100 metres is a unique and ideal place to organise seminars, private evenings and events. The Ice‐Shock Bar is "the place to be" when you come to Alpe d’Huez ‐ don't miss it, whatever you do! Press contact Héléna HOSPITAL Tel: +33 (0)4 76 79 54 45 Email: [email protected] Website: www.les2alpes.com Press area: www.les2alpes.com/fr/hiver/media/presse Winter season: 27/11/10 to 30/04/11 ACCESS Station: Grenoble ‐ Airport: Lyon St Exupéry – Grenoble St Geoirs This famous ski resort in the Isère region belongs to the generation of resorts that were built from nothing on untouched alpine meadows shared by the villages of VENOSC and MONT DE LANS, all at an altitude of 1600 metres. From its simple beginnings as alpine meadowland, Les 2 Alpes has now become an international winter sports resort (number 4 of the 10 most famous French resorts!!!). The term "resort" first saw light in 1946, and the name of 2 Alpes was subsequently adopted. The recipe for Les 2 Alpes is a mix of different ingredients: big events, skiing, snowboarding, the latest snowsports, activities, innovation and increasingly high levels of quality (a friendly atmosphere, skiing, accommodation and catering for families). Whether you're looking for activities or relaxation, skiing or snowshoeing, freestyle or freeride, paragliding or spas…the choice is yours FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS THE "BABYSNOW", NEW SNOWSPORTS EQUIPMENT FOR LITTLE ONES… 2010 saw the appearance of new snowsports equipment in Les 2 Alpes called the BABYSNOW. Designed by a high mountain guide/ski instructor from Les 2 Alpes, it is a type of snow scooter for little ones aged 1 to 5, and can be used when snowshoeing, walking and especially skiing. Adult and child can ride together as a pair. You have to see it to understand how it works, but it has to be said that everyone who's tried it thinks it's great. At last, parents and children can enjoy a bit of quality time together. It goes way beyond a toboggan ‐ it's original and sensational ‐ and kids love it. Les 2 Alpes boasts the NATIONAL"FAMILY PLUS MOUNTAIN" SEAL OF APPROVAL, offering a warm welcome and quality services to families and children: a special welcome for families, activities to suit all ages, individual rates, activities for you to enjoy on your own or with a group, a medical service nearby for any little bumps and bruises, as well as professional child care and instruction. FAMILY EVENT: THE JUNIOR FOLIZ FESTIVAL (CHILDREN'S EVENT) Children are well looked after up here in the mountains, and from 25th to 29th April, Les 2 Alpes is hosting the JUNIOR FOLIZ FESTIVAL. Every Easter, it takes over Les 2 Alpes and adds a spash of colour to the holidays. The lowdown: a week of events, workshops and shows for children aged 6 to 12 and their families. The snowman mascot turns into a globe trotter to set the tone for the festival… Adventure, discovery and travel are the key words for what will be the 5th festival. Every day from 2pm to 6pm. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS VENOSC VILLAGE: This is a traditional Oisans mountain village, nestling in the heart of the Vénéon Valley. Its tiny narrow cobbled streets, age‐old rural dwellings,14th century bell tower, 17th century cowshed, as well as chapels and fountains are all vivid examples of life in the mountains and offer a tranquil environment to get away from it all after a day on the slopes. Attracted to this authentic rustic setting, designers and craftsmen (ceramics, silk, wood, miniatures, leather, weaving, jewellery, fine foods, honey, wine) have come to Venosc, much to the pleasure of the vistors. MONT DE LANS VILLAGE: Situated at an altitude of 1,300 metres, this is the last village you go through before arriving at the resort of Les 2 Alpes. The village has seen a great number of tourists come and go down the centuries, as evidenced by a number of items preserved in the Chasal Lento Museum. Not content merely to receive visitors, the village also sent its children out to ply their trade throughout France and the entire world. The musuem was therefore set up to evoke memories of the past. Another museum can be found in Alpe de Mont de Lans: "la maison de la montagne" offers a glimpse of nature in the mountains. LA MOLIERE FARM: Open from 10am to 7pm. Farm tours (cows, sheep, goats). Farm teas and pre‐bookable traditional Oisans meals with local specialities (Diots, Crozets, gratin Dauphinois ...). MIND‐BLOWING SKIING THE GLACIER IS A MAJOR ASSET The Les 2 Alpes ski area extends vertically between altitudes of 3,600 metres and 1,300 metres. The glacier is a major plus, as it means you can ski practically all year round: winter, summer and even autumn. And on the high peaks, it also guarantees that you can ski throughout the winter season. With its 225 kilometres (430 hectares) of marked runs, the resort is one of the biggest ski areas in Europe. The area is extremely varied, and suits all types of activity: freestyle, freeride, alpine skiing, beginners and experienced skiers, children and adults alike. Les 2 Alpes gives you choice!!! It's a unique and friendly place, where you can ski between altitudes of 3,600 metres and 1,300 metres without having to use a single ski lift… 2,300 metres of vertical drop: that's the difference! SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: "FULL MOON EVENINGS": NIGHT SKIING ON THE HIGH PEAKS… The idea is to ski after the lifts have closed and while the full moon illuminates the slopes in a surrealist fashion, offering daring skiers a powerful and unforgettable experience. The programme includes skiing on the glacier until sunset, dinner high up in the mountains and descent back to the resort by moonlight (altitude of 1,600 metres) ‐ a vertical drop of more than 1,600 metres. It's a real blast ‐ an intense experience only enjoyed by a privileged few (the first 150 people to sign up). Dates for the "FULL MOON EVENINGS": THURSDAY 23rd DECEMBER 2010 ‐ THURSDAY 20th JANUARY 2011 ‐ FRIDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2011 ‐ FRIDAY 18th MARCH 2011 ‐ WEDNESDAY 20th APRIL 2011 EVENT: LES 2 ALPES POKER WEEK ‐ The POKER WEEK event has been a real success ‐ more people attend every year and the players just keep on coming. January is the time for skiing with a break for poker in between. The third "LES 2 ALPES POKER WEEK" event will take place from Sunday 9th January to Friday 14th January; freeroll, sit’n go and satellite tournaments, a grand final, conferences on the game, taster sessions and a chance to meet professionals and poker celebrities. No need to put any money down ‐ it's all free, with lots of prizes to win and the pleasure of playing whilst enjoying a few great days' skiing. Every day from 6pm to midnight ‐ and it's free! LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE GLACIER EXCURSION: THE "CROISIÈRE BLANCHE" WHITE SNOW CRUISE There's no shortage of non‐skiing activities here. If you're on foot, you can reach the high peaks via the Croisière Blanche white snow cruise. Discover the biggest skiable glacier in Europe aboard the snowcat (takes a maximum of 12 people), specially designed for conquering the kingdom of eternal snow. An unbelievable trip across the ice between 3,400 metres and 3,600 metres and a unique chance to view the panorama over the Alps, the Ecrins, Mont Blanc, and Belledonne mountain ranges, as well as the Grandes Rousses Massif… ORIGINAL ‐ spend the night in an igloo ‐ not quite as cold as you think!!!(VILLAGE KANATA). This polar refuge is up on the ski runs at an altitude of 1,700 metres in the Vallée Blanche area, and it's the perfect place to have a really unusual adventure… THERE'S A BUSTLING SENSE OF LIFE IN THE RESORT. ONE BIG BENEFIT OF LES 2 ALPES is its 2km long plateau location, with shops and terraces on either side where you can linger a while in the afternoon or after a day's skiing. It means you can do everything you want without wearing yourself out and, just like on 5th Avenue, the Avenue de la Muzelle offers you a select shopping experience, with all kinds of stores: jewellery, clothes ‐ and not just for sports ‐ a multitude of flavours, bric‐a‐brac, interior design, fine foods and all the big snow sports brands have their own pro‐shop: Billabong, Rip curl, Nike acg, Quiksilver,… Plus, there are around sixty restaurants and thirty or so bars and nightclubs. There's no room for boredom in Les 2 Alpes!!! Press contact Pascale DUCROT Tel: +33 (0)4 79 73 25 58 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chatel.com Press area: http://presse.chatel.com Winter season: 11/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Station: Thonon ‐ Airport: Geneva International A village resort set in the Vallée d'Abondance, designated as a Land of Art and History, Châtel stands on the border with Switzerland at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area (12 Franco‐Swiss resorts and 650 kilometres of runs). Châtel was awarded the Family Plus Mountain resort label because of its extensive offer for families and children. The village of Châtel itself has always been there, and has managed to develop whilst still maintaining its primary identity. Châtel offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and modern. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Châtel was awarded the Family Plus Mountain resort label because of its extensive offer for families and children. The resort works very hard to ensure that children and adults alike enjoy an unforgettable holiday in a snowy mountain village … The various facilities provided and wide choice of activities and leisure pursuits on offer, such as the Purple Milka Run, themed routes (l’Eterlou and le Châtellan), toboggan runs for children aged 2 to 6 and 6 and over, giant wooden games, treasure hunts, wood‐cutting activities…, various workshops for a range of ages, shows – not forgetting special themed weeks, all make Châtel the ideal location for a holiday with family or friends … New! Another toboggan area is to be located close to the village centre, facing the valley and providing yet another opportunity for fun in the snow! Great deal: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIFT – 1 DAY’S SKIING FREE OF CHARGE AT CHRISTMAS! Come and stay with us from 18th December 2010, and we’ll give you 1 night’s accommodation and 1 day’s skiing totally free of charge: Ski pass: 7 days for the price of 6; accommodation: 8 nights for the price of 7. Offer subject to conditions. Details and conditions of sale available on request. Châtel Tour – Châtel Central Booking Office ‐ Tel. +33 (0)4 50 73 30 22 ‐ Fax +33 (0)4 50 81 30 34 ‐ www.chateltour.com ‐ [email protected] and [email protected] AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS The village of Châtel has always been there, developing over time whilst still retaining its primary identity … The village is located in the Vallée d’Abondance, which is designated as a Land of Art and History. The original architecture has been preserved, consisting of farms with carved balconies that are a typical feature of the valley where life is good… These farms have been home to generations of farming families … There are around thirty working farms and a good ten of them make the famous Abondance cheese (AOC), which is used to make the delicious Berthoud, a typical local dish. Amongst the gastronomic delights, potée savoyarde, saucisse aux choux and rissoles are all on offer… and Châtel is also well known for its wonderful vacherin cheese… There is also a chance to sit down and chat with the farmers over a farmhouse tea. The programme is intriguing: talking about life in the village in winter, and out with their herds in the alpine meadows in summer, cheese‐making, tasting the local cooked pork meats, gâteaux de Savoie, slices of bread smothered in butter and loaded with home‐made bluberry or raspberry jam, all washed down with a cup of tea or coffee, a glass of local wine or even a cup of milk fresh milk straight from the cow! A privileged opportunity, not to be missed! Further examples of this authentic setting are the craftsmanship of the spruce wood tracery and Savoyard pottery made in the traditional way. MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Châtel is set right at the heart of the fabulous international interlinked ski area of Les Portes du Soleil, encompassing 12 Franco‐Swiss resorts and 650 kilometres of runs! While skiing, you are treated to magnificent panoramas out over France and Switzerland – all with a single ski pass! New: this year, adult beginners can try out a number of snowsports with the “youcanski” offer – a first for Les Portes du Soleil. Beginners will practise on dedicated slopes in a secure area, using specially adapted equipment. The offer includes lessons, ski pass and equipment, and is available as a 6‐day (269€), 3‐day (169€) or 3‐weekend (269€) option. The first 2 options are available from 18 to 25/12/2010, 8/01/2011 to 12/02/2011, and 12/03/2011 to the end of the season. The last option is available from 15/01/2011 to 29/01/2011 and 19/03/2011 to 2/04/2011. From 8th to 11th January 2011, an international dog‐sled race called the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc will see the best 25 mushers in the world competing against each other. The race passes through Châtel on Sunday 9th January 2011. (idea for an article: portrait of a musher) New! From 2nd to 9th April 2011, the 1st Festival des Concerts Sauvages will be held on the runs of Les Portes du Soleil. Created by CANAL + Events, WARNER 360 and LAGARDERE Active, this unique kind of festival will provide amazing concerts for visitors to attend. Alerted by text message, festivalgoers will ski to the various temporary venues built overnight! (idea for an article : behind the scenes with resort organisers) LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE A holiday in the mountains is a great way to recharge your physical and mental batteries! The resort has a huge range of activities apart from skiing, such as snowshoeing (40 kilometres of marked routes in the resort and 80 kilometres in the Vallée d’Abondance and neighbouring Switzerland), paragliding, ice diving and ice fishing, a tour of the village in the little train, exploring the Vallée d’Abondance in the Colombus shuttle bus, ski taxi… not to mention the cinemas, ice rink and library with its foreign language books … Relaxation centres, such as spas and massage centres (where mountain and ancient Indian cultures sometimes meet …) offer an escape from which you are sure to return rejuvenated and relaxed! As for après‐ski, there are lots of pubs, typical local restaurants and a nightclub, plus shows in the streets or at the foot of the slopes for you to while away a pleasant moment before returning to your accommodation … New event ‐ from 28th to 30th January 2011: “Neiges étoilée”, a cookery competition with chefs from Les Portes du Soleil and events around the theme of cookery. "WELL‐BEING AND DISCOVERY" PACKAGE
7 nights’ apartment accommodation + "well‐being and discovery" activities: from 220€ per person per week, based on 4 people sharing a studio, 5 people sharing two rooms or 6 people sharing three rooms. Rate valid from 8th January 2011 to 15th January 2011 and from 26th March 2011. "Well‐being and discovery" activities per person: 3‐day (consecutive or otherwise) Châtel lift pass (valid for 130 kilometres of runs and 58 ski lifts), 1 entry to the Bains de Val d'Illiez, 1 session (around 30 mins) in one of the resort’s “relaxation” centres and 1 guided snowshoe excursion. Information and bookings: Châtel Tour – Châtel Central Booking Office Tel. +33 (0)4 50 73 30 22 ‐ Fax +33 (0)4 50 81 30 34 www.chateltour.com ‐ [email protected] and [email protected] Press contact Winter season: 04/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Station: Moutiers Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Geneva International Nathalie FAURE ‐ BERNOUD Tel: +33 (0)4 79 01 44 18 Email: [email protected] Website: www.courchevel.com Press area: http://mediabase.courchevel.com When people hear the word Courchevel, their eyes light up. Located in the Three Valleys and bordering the Vanoise National Park, Courchevel is an invitation to get away from it all, winter and summer. An incomparable resort famous throughout the world for its ski area and unique lifestyle, Courchevel is particularly well known for its ski‐in/ski‐out accommodation, giving you easy access to the slopes. Situated in the world's largest ski area, the Three Valleys, Courchevel offers mind‐blowing skiing, facilities and hotels of exceptional quality, individual service and a unique experience." FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Skiing for tiny tots Here in Courchevel, we start teaching chidren to ski from the age of 18 months. Specialist instructors from the Children's Village in Courchevel 1850 offer private lessons to little ones, teaching them the snowsports basics in a relaxed setting. The Magnestick Courchevel was the first resort in the world to install the Magestick system on some of its chair lifts. The system involves giving children a magnetised jacket that ensures that they will "stick" to the chair lift as they go up, also providing protection for their backs while they are skiing. Family‐friendly accommodation Many places offer a "special family" service: earlier meal times for children, baby kits, adjoining rooms, specific play areas, private screening rooms, supervisory staff… So that guests of all ages can get maximum enjoyment from their stay. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Explore the resort on foot or on snowshoes Courchevel has 17 kilometres of specially maintained footpaths for all levels of walkers, from the most inexperienced to the most energetic. 9 snowshoe routes also enable you to explore more secluded spots in the forest, and anyone who wants to set off for the most secret places can ask to go with a mountain guide. Guided tours Get a good dose of culture with the help of a guide‐lecturer. Discover another side to Courchevel, which has been and always will be a laboratory for ideas and experiments in the field of winter sports resort development. Holiday suggestion Courchevel offers "Culture and Nature" holidays. This includes 7 nights' accommodation in a hotel (double room) or furnished studio (2, 4 or 6 people), a guided snowshoe excursion in the mid‐mountains and a cultural tour to explore the heritage of the Courchevel Valley. From 53€ for a 3* hotel or 24€ in a furnished studio (per person per day). MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Ski in the largest ski area in the world Courchevel is located in the mythical Three Valleys area. From greens to the steepest of black runs, skiers of all levels have 311 pistes to choose from in the Three Valleys. A unique place for self‐expression! Flexible, no‐wait skiing Courchevel is a true ski in/ski out resort, offering ski access that is second to none! All this is made possible by the p@s system, a ski pass that can be recharged online, and high‐
performance ski lifts that cater for an hourly passenger flow of almost 70,000 skiers. Ski in total safety in the "free" and "zen" zones Courchevel makes it a point of honour to provide options for all skill levels. Beginners' (ZEN) zones allow inexperienced skiers to develop their skills in a calm and relaxing environment. Experienced "free" skiers, on the other hand, can have a go in the rail park and boardercross areas or devour the 10,000 hectares of off‐piste skiing. http://www.courchevel.com/editorial.php?Rub=205 LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Enjoyment at all levels Each of the resort's five villages has its own special atmosphere, but all share a way of life that is marked by excellence and good taste. Above Saint Bon, where the history of Courchevel began, you will find the charming village of Courchevel Le Praz (1300), site of the Olympic Ski Jump. Then comes 1550, favoured by the younger set, followed by 1650, with its dream amounts of sunshine. Right at the top, Courchevel 1850 is the jewel in the whole glittering crown. A unique style of accommodation Courchevel is internationally renowned for its exceptional hotels. The resort has twelve 5*, three 4* luxury and eight 4* hotels, plus a considerable number of luxury chalets offering amazing facilities and service. Such a concentration of luxury, high up in the mountains is unequalled throughout the world. But Courchevel also likes to offer choice, with both luxury hotels and holiday rentals to suit all budgets. The pleasures of fine dining 7 of the restaurants in Courchevel are in the 2010 Michelin Guide, and they boast 11 stars between them. This is an incredible figure for a winter sports resort! Some have been demonstrating their talents for many years, like the Chabichou with Michel Rochedy (2*) or the Bâteau Ivre with Jean‐Pierre Jacob (2*). Others have been awarded their stars more recently, such as the Table du Kilimandjaro (1*) last year, and the four new ones in the latest Michelin Guide: Pierre Gagnaire for Les Airelles (2*), the 1947 with Yannick Alléno (2*), Il Vino with Enrico Bernardo (1*) and the Azimut with François Moureaux (1*). Press contacts Winter season: 18/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Station: Annecy Airport: Geneva International Aglaée SAUMONNEAU ‐ Tel: +33 (0)4 50 32 65 02 Email: [email protected] Laure CHAPPAZ ‐ Tel: +33 (0)4 50 02 78 74 Email: [email protected] Website: www.laclusaz.com Press area: www.laclusaz.com/hiver‐winter10‐
11/constantes/presse/1443.html The winter and summer sports resort of La Clusaz is easily accessible from Geneva airport (70 kilometres) and Annecy railway station (35 kilometres). One of the select "Top of the French Alps" resorts, La Clusaz has an amazing natural ski area (up to 2,600 metres) that extends for over 132 kilometres across 5 massifs: suitable for families and technically demanding for hardened ski enthusiasts. A skibus service connects La Clusaz with the resort of Le Grand‐Bornand. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Kids rule in the Beauregard and Alpen Roc hotels These hotels provide the following for your child free of charge: ‐ half‐board accommodation ‐ ski pass, ski rental and 6 days group ski lessons ‐ meals in the member restaurants in the village and on the slopes ‐ entrance to the cinema and ice rink in La Clusaz Offer available for all stays of a minimum of 7 nights for the first child under the age of 12. Terms and conditions : www.hotel‐la‐clusaz.com There are lots of special free events for children in La Clusaz, the highlight being the "pestacles du père Noël" Christmas show during Christmas week. Throughout the season, budding riders are truly spoiled in the snowsports areas: ski kindergartens, floodlit toboggan runs, dedicated areas for beginners in the snowparks, tea tents, etc. Kids rule in La Clusaz! There are themed snowshoe excursions every day led by Aravis mountain guides. They are open to children from the age of 6 upwards, and provide an opportunity to explore the local wildlife, plants and history along paths, over plateaux and in the forest...Take the opportunity to recharge your batteries in the fresh mountain air. http://www.laclusaz.com/hiver‐winter10/hiver0910/glisse‐et‐loisirs/enfants/label‐famille/1636.html AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Riding on a “paret" is the favourite activity of the locals... and the tourists! It only takes a few goes to get the hang of this traditional regional wooden toboggan, and you will soon be whizzing down the snow‐covered slopes with speed and precision. "Back to childhood" taster sessions are on offer, the highlight being on Thursday evenings in La Clusaz... where night skiers and toboganners of all ages fly past each other in an atmosphere of fun and good humour! La Clusaz and its neighbours are the original homeland of reblochon cheese: discover its secrets on a farm tour ‐ not to be missed... or maybe sample it in the warm atmosphere of a cosy restaurant. After a day out in the snow, what better than an après‐ski visit to the bars of La Clusaz, followed by a delicious local speciality such as reblochonnade/tartiflette/croziflette, blueberry tart and a glass of genépi liqueur...maybe you could shake a few moves on the dance floor to help digest! After something a little more exotic? The answer can be found on the Aravis mountain pass: a snowshoe excursion with a view of Mont Blanc just as night is falling, an apéritif in a bar made of ice in an igloo village (you make it yourself), a traditional dinner in a teepee, rounded off by a night all cosied up in an igloo... From 85€ www.takamaka.fr http://www.laclusaz.com/hiver‐winter10/hiver0910/d‐couvrir/la‐clusaz/traditions/1587.html MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Championships, World Cups, international events... La Clusaz certainly knows how to do things properly. The International Olympic Committee is in the final stages of setting the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games: the nordic events ‐ a cross country skiing World Cup will be held on 18th and 19th December 2010 on the proposed Olympic site; as for freeride – the 3rd Free Session could take on spectacular shape in January 2011... a taster of the snowsports fest to come! La Clusaz has many off‐piste routes to offer from November to May (always accompanied by a guide for safety) ‐it's the place for freeriders! These special areas between rocky outcrops and fir trees have helped a number of local children to become world champions in this particular discipline, such as Seb Michaud and Antonin Lieutaghi, whose expertise is available through the "Ski with a Champion!” option. The Flyeo team will introduce the most daring amongst you to speed riding and have you up and running in just a few hours! In a special area, an instructor in constant radio contact with the beginners can adapt his moves to each individual in complete safety, training them in 3D, with the real feeling of "floating" down the piste on skis! From 70€ ‐ www.flyeo.com www.laclusaz.com LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE La Clusaz reserves a special welcome for the ladies. On the programme of indulgent delights: an Alpine ski pass for La Clusaz‐Manigod covering 3 non‐consecutive days, with unlimited access to the pool and fitness suite, a free massage (places limited ‐ normal cost 30€) and a free guided tour of the village. Offer valid outside school holidays; prices start at 120€ www.laclusaz‐tour.com In the heart of the village. The new 5 star Hôtel&Spa Au Coeur du Village has its own cosy, chic atmosphere. A series of 50 suites – a spa area with 5 treatment rooms, leisure pool, massages jets and relaxing bubble beds, 2 delightful steam rooms and a sauna ‐ plus inventive cuisine with an organic touch created by Marc Veyrat and inspired by delicious local specialities... available from December 2010! www.hotel‐aucoeurduvillage.fr From November 2010, skiers will be able to recharge their ski pass on their iPhone/smartPhone/Android. Online sales built into a global ski application for registration followed by purchase... direct payment by subscription or in real time minimises any hitches when topping up your ski pass ‐ getting you out on the slopes even quicker! Pre‐registration possible via mobile phone or online. www.laclusaz.com Press Contact Aurélie CROUVISIER‐DAUM Tel: +33 (0)4 79 06 83 30 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.larosiere.net Press area: www.larosiere.net/?rub_id=57 Winter Season: 11/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Train station: Bourg St Maurice ‐ Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry – Geneva International Set at an altitude of 1,850 metres, the south‐facing, typically Savoyard resort of La Rosière offers impressive views over the valley. A friendly, intimate resort with a family feel, it boasts a number of strengths: an exceptional setting that enjoys a magnificent panorama over Mont‐Blanc, wide open spaces and a whole range of activities both in winter and summer, not forgetting its proximity to Italy. Twinned with the Italian resort of La Thuile, La Rosière forms part of the San Bernardo international ski area with its 160 kilometres of runs! A date for your diaries: this winter the resort will be celebrating its 50th birthday, a unique time of festivities with a huge programme of events and entertainments planned throughout the season. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS A perfect family resort that has been awarded the “Family Plus” label, La Rosière has children and families covered: family ski passes, ski kindergartens, tobogganing areas, little trapper adventure route, covered ice‐rink, nursery and activity club… It’s got everything! Special Deal: from April 16th to April 23rd 2011 children go free! For all bookings made exclusively through the central bookings office, any full price adult purchase (of a 6‐day Espace San Bernardo ski pass, equipment hire, French Ski School group lessons or ½ board accommodation in participating hotels) comes with one free matching offer for a child under the age of 13. Snowkiting from the age of 8 and upwards! Unique in the Savoie region, a La Rosière speciality on the col du Petit Saint Bernard mountain pass. A fun snowsports activity, snowkiting is a chance for skiers and snowboarders aged 8 and older to hone their skills on flat or hilly virgin terrain, towed along by a kite or sail. Snowkiting is to snow what kitesurfing is to the ocean. Where French and Italian wind currents meet, the Col du Petit Saint Bernard mountain pass has become a natural favourite amongst followers of the sport. Facing Mont‐Blanc at an altitude of 2,188 metres, this educational snowkiting zone is the only one of its kind in the Savoie region. Accessible via the San Bernardo ski lifts, this secure area is supervised by professionally trained FFVL instructors (French Free Flight Federation). Set sail! Rate: 50€ for a 1 ½ hour introductory session. www.ecole‐snowkite.fr AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS This winter La Rosière is celebrating its 50th birthday. On the 23rd December 1960 La Rosière officially opened its first ski tow: “La Poletta”. The resort made its first tentative steps equipped with only a bar‐hotel‐restaurant, a ski instructor and a ski lift operator. With its exceptional backdrop under the benevolent gaze of Mont‐Blanc, this little Alpine village has evolved over the years along the lines of the Italian village with which it was twinned in January 1985. In 50 years, the site has been totally transformed, but has managed to keep everything that makes it special: its beautiful landscapes and its soul. La Rosière is celebrating its 50th birthday this winter. Come and share this one‐off celebration and take part in the range of events and entertainment we’ve got planned throughout the season! Guided torchlit tour Each week, locals Colette and Gisèle share their resort’s heritage by torchlight. From its beginnings as a little Alpine village to how it stands today, come and discover La Rosière’s history and the development of its different areas and main locations: its first buildings, architectural choices, ski area development, forestry planning… A gentle journey through the various elements that make up the everyday life of people from “round here”, transformed over time. Take the chance to get a bit closer to the heart and soul of this little slice of the Haute‐Tarentaise. As well as a whole range of other entertainment: torchlit descents “taking a step back in time”, treasure hunts, behind the scenes of the ski area… Programme available at www.larosiere.net NEW Cuisine: every Monday is Savoie day in Le Turia, with a cookery workshop in the morning where visitors can learn how to make traditional Savoie farcement and farçon. Do the hard work, then reap the rewards! In the evening, sample these traditional dishes to the music of the accordion. Rate: 35 euros, workshop + meal. Le Turia: +33 (0)4 79 06 13 65 MIND‐BLOWING SKIING International skiing! 160 kilometres of ‘skiing across the borders’, between an altitude of 1,850 metres and 2,641 metres with optimum snow conditions. The San Bernardo ski area, accessed from La Rosière, is the only international ski area in the Northern Alps between France and Italy. It is a “double sided” area twinned with La Thuile. The French side enjoys a wide choice of slopes that are perfect for families and sunshine, thanks to its southern exposure. The Italian side enjoys excellent quality snow cover on its north face, as well as challenging hilly areas for experienced skiers. In the line of sight: the highest summits in Europe rising to peaks at altitudes of more than 4,000 metres: Mont Blanc, Mont Rose, Le Cervin… all offering a breathtaking panorama. With villages and forests, untouched snow and heliskiing, Savoie and Val d’Aosta‐inspired gourmet cuisine, you’re sure to be won over! La Rosière, the only place in France to offer heliskiing. Not suitable for beginners! A spirit of adventure blows through La Rosière, thanks to its proximity to the Italian border where helicopter drops are allowed. Set off from La Rosière on skis towards the Col du Petit Saint Bernard mountain pass and take an unforgettable helicopter ride to discover the incredible off‐piste routes that await skiers and snowboarders. Drops are made on the Italian summits of Val d’Aosta; supervision is carried out by high mountain guides. Experienced skiers only! Rate: from 210€ per helicopter drop (helicopter journey + supervision + safety equipment + return journey back to the resort) ‐ La Rosière Ski School ‐ ESF: +33 (0)4 79 06 81 26 / Evolution2: +33 (0)4 79 40 19 80 LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE New: Children’s spa The “Mountain Spa and Beauty” centre in the Cimes Blanches residence is a heavenly destination where you’re your precious little ones can be indulged with their own treatments. The spa offers a menu of à la carte treatments to children between the ages of 6 and 16 including: “The Sandman”, a gentle massage with warm almond oil, and “Chocolate Spread”, a chocolate body wrap… Open every Wednesday. Treatments available from 30€. www.cgh‐residences.com Chalet Matsuzaka**** ‐ NEW – A fourth star, exclusive in La Rosière Luxury facilities in a warm, welcoming chalet that is traditional and exotic at the same time! Close to the slopes of Les Eucherts, this Japanese‐inspired Savoyard hotel has 10 rooms, each with its own different ambiance: 2 Japanese style rooms, 5 Savoyard style rooms and 3 suites with living rooms and outdoor Jacuzzis. The chalet is equipped with a traditional hot Japanese outdoor rotemburo bath, a traditional Japanese indoor ofuro bath and a sauna. A selection of beauty treatments and massages are also available. The restaurant’s menus are designed around local fresh produce and accompanied by the very best French wines. www.chaletmatsuzaka.com NEW AND NEVER SEEN BEFORE: “Tobogganing under the stars”: 1,000 metre vertical drop, a 2 hour descent! Bringing joy to the hearts of tobogganers and night‐owls everywhere! Once night falls, take the chair lift up to the summit, then hurtle headlong down untouched snowy slopes! Halfway through the 2 hour descent, participants will enjoy a warming glass of traditional mulled wine and a Savoyard meal at the heart of an Alpine chalet. This exceptional toboggan descent over a 1,000 metre vertical drop will liven up the nights of La Rosière’s thrill‐seekers! Further information available from: EVOlution 2 La Rosière – +33 (0)4 79 40 19 80 www.evolution2larosiere.com Press contacts Florence LESOUEF Tel: +33 (0)4 79 09 99 38/39 Email: presse@la‐plagne.com Website www.la‐plagne.com Press area: presse‐laplagne.com Winter season: 11/12/10 to 30/04/11 ACCESS Station: Aime Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Geneva International An internationally famous, family‐friendly resort, La Plagne forms a trio with Les Arcs and Peisey‐Vallandry to create Paradiski, an XXL ski area with 425 kilometres of runs that extend from an altitude of 1,250 metres to 3,250 metres. The key words here are “immensity”, “quality” and “diversity”! The resort is home to 10 different sites, offering high altitude, ski in/ski out and village locations, as well as a wide choice of environments and astonishing architectural diversity. And if it’s not skiing you’re after, La Plagne works hard at being unique in many ways – with the only bobsleigh run in France, and even a 22 metre‐high Ice Tower with a design you won’t see anywhere else in the world! MIND‐BLOWING SKIING La Plagne is right up there Immensity: 225 kilometres of runs in La Plagne and 425 kilometres across the whole of the Paradiski area Quality: top‐quality fun zone run and maintained by the skilful workers of the SAP (Société d’Aménagement de La Plagne) who manage the ski area, combining environmental conservation with high‐performance technology. In 2010, no less than 3.5 million euros was spent on work to various runs and increasing the number of snow cannons …. Major plus points: fast, comfortable high‐performance ski lifts, 83% of the La Plagne ski area above 2,000 metres… 70% for Paradiski as a whole. Diversity: 128 runs of different grades between 1,250 metres and 3,250 metres, a wide range of backdrops, as well as a number of ski exhibitions at all times and in all weathers! 10 sites offering a wide range of holiday options ‐ at altitude or in a village setting. New for the ski area ‐ For increased efficiency, two piste grooming machines fitted with sonar equipment, delivering precise mapping of the area and the snow mantel. ‐ Investment in a second XXL Galaxy machine with a 1 metres width for increased grooming efficiency. New: BassBoards so that those with reduced mobility can enjoy snowboarding 20th March 2011: FIS Half Pipe Freestyle Skiing World Cup Last stage in the morning, with the final in the evening of the same day FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Eco‐friendly Nouvel hôtel Club in Plagne‐Montalbert : as well as offering all‐inclusive Cap’Vacances packages that are ideal for families, this hotel also sets the example for environmental conservation! Major plus points: ski in/ski out, club for children aged 3 months and over, as well as a low energy consumption design Great deals: Paradiski family ski passes: 6 days for 2 parents + 2 children aged between 6 and 17. Each additional child aged between 6 and 17 automatically goes at the child rate. “Paradiski Family Discovery Pass” 4 La Plagne Intégrale ski passes, including one day’s access to Paradiski (la Plagne, les Arcs, Peisey‐Vallandry) on the day of your choice 6 days: 759€ instead of 916€, saving you 157€ “Paradiski Family Unlimited Pass” Four 6‐day ski passes: 799€ instead of 996€, saving you 197€ Bobraft ride on the bobsleigh, luge and skeleton bob run that was built for the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville. A 4‐person self‐steered vehicle, specially designed for La Plagne and ideal for families. Speed: 80 kilometres per hour! Special family rate for 2 parents + 2 children (under 16): 114€ instead of 152€, saving you 38€ – 4 for the price of 3! 1st to 4th March 2011: X Speed Paradiski Tour Learn speed skills in complete safety LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Chez Pat du Sauget: spend the night in a little mountain auberge on the slopes Your cheery hosts Patricia and Gérard have been running their delightful auberge with care for 37 years, and their enthusiasm for La Plagne is endless. They love to tell you their little stories around the fire or over a delicious simmering stew. 6 cosy rooms, all decorated in the mountain style. The Valley of Champagny le Haut at the entrance to the Vanoise National Park: This specially protected valley is well away from the bustle of the resorts. With its limestone cliffs, snowy slopes and Grande Motte glacier right at the end, this glaciated valley is highly picturesque and has a real sense of soul. Activities available: “4 Nordiques” Nordic skiing area covering 22 kilometres, Glacialis zone, ice climbing… A charming place to stay: the Carlina hotel*** in Belle Plagne Built of wood and tiles, this hotel combines top‐quality service with comfort at the foot of the slopes. It features a wellness centre (massage, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and heated indoor pool) and “Le C” restaurant, offering a chic, modern and almost metropolitan atmosphere in the evenings for people who enjoy fine dining. The chef works hard to create inventive dishes with a successful mix of delicate flavours. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Cheese dishes at the Forperet restaurant A high altitude restaurant in a renovated former sheep fold on the slopes of Plagne‐Montalbert, the distinctive feature of Forperet Farm is that it offers a menu where all the dishes are based on cheese. Their unique recipe is the “Fondue de Mandrin" (tomme de Savoie cheese with cider and apples). This traditional local cheese is made on the farm. Tours available. Laisonnay mountain refuge: step back in time for lunch in Champagny le Haut, at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park. The refuge is open from mid February, offering lunch cooked over an wood fire… against a sumptuous natural backdrop at the foot of the Grande Casse (3,855 metres). Leave the present totally behind: no cars for 3 kilometres and no electricity or mobile phone reception! An evening in the Igloo Village: What’s on offer: evening walk, supper of local produce, evening with the head of the village and the option to sleep on site under a warm and cosy duvet. The village aims to be eco‐friendly, using local products where possible (jambon de pays, Beaufort cheese, bread baked in the village, vegetables from the market…), composting toilet and compostable crockery. For visitors aged 7 and up. Press contacts Winter season: 11/12/10 to 30/04/11 ACCESS Station: Bourg Stt Maurice Airports: Chamb
béry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exup
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el PERBELLINI Tel: +33 (0)4 79 07 61 16 ‐ +33 (0)6
6 24 93 23 64
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d ride againsst the backdrrop of Mont‐‐Blanc at dussk? MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Les Arcs, home to all the latest snowsports… Les Arcs is a pioneering resort in terms of innovative snowsports. It saw the arrival of the snowboard in the 1980s, then speed skiing for the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville. Today, the resort leads the way in the latest pursuit of speed riding. Started up by local adventurer François Bon, this spectacular activity involves skiing down the most beautiful slopes with a little paragliding sail strapped to your back. Thrills and sensations guaranteed, with training from the specialist Speed Riding School … www.speedriding‐school.com Les Arcs also includes over 425 kilometres of runs in the Paradiski area, (Les Arcs + Peisey‐Vallandry + La Plagne), plus a wide range of fun zones. The most daring amongst you might like to try crossing the famous Waterslide, a 12 metre long swimming pool that you have to ski over without sinking, or enjoy the pleasures of skiing off‐piste in complete safety along the ten Natur’ runs that have deliberately been left as untouched snow at different points all over the ski area… LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Les Arcs – the art of living in the mountains Les Arcs consists of four sites, built on a human scale and staggered between the forest and the glacier, offering four individual environments to cover every holiday taste … Developed since 1968 by a group of avant‐garde architects, the historic sites of Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 have strikingly pure architecture, which is also highly mindful of blending in with the environment. Family‐friendly Arc 1600 or party central Arc 1800 – everyone will find the right place for them! For skiers who find the days too short, the runs at Les Arcs open at dawn under Operation First Tracks, an initial descent in a small group with the ski patrol, otherwise alone in the silence of the early morning (booking required). And for those of you who are nostalgic for the nights of the past, what could be better than a torch‐lit excursion on snowshoes to find an authentic Mongolian yurt? If you enjoy fine dining, the Belliou la Fumée restaurant in Arc 2000, with its delicious and inventive local cuisine is an absolute must… The only French resort that is directly accessible from the valley, thanks to the funicular that takes you from the slopes to Bourg‐Saint‐Maurice railway station in less than 10 minutes, Les Arcs holds the trump card in terms of practicality, also providing a free shuttle service for holidaymakers to travel between the various resorts until late in the evening. Just one of many reasons to turn up to the 2nd Festival of European Cinema, with its procession of stars and previews revealing the wide diversity of European cinema, all based around an official competition led by a jury of influential figures from the world of cinema… www.lesarcs‐filmfest.com Another amazing project, the new Edenarc Village comprising a hotel and 4 star accommodation with a contemporay design, all managed by the Odalys‐
Vacances Group, is about to be built in Arc 1800. Delivery of the first section is scheduled for December 2011. www.edenarc1800.com Press Contact Estelle ROY Tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 84 70 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.lesmenuires.com Press area: www.lesmenuires.com/espace_presse.html Winter Season: 04/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Train station: Moutiers Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Geneva International Saint Martin de Belleville is a guardian of tradition. At an altitude of 1,450 metres, the village was only equipped as a tourist resort in the 1980s, and even then the development was minimal. Its architecture is in the local style and makes use of traditional stone and wood materials. Created in the middle of the 1960s, Les Menuires gives visitors an interesting whistlestop tour of four decades of mountain architecture. This doorstep skiing resort has gently adapted to its surroundings, featuring sympathetic Savoyard‐style modern developments. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Piou‐Piou Village The village of La Croisette welcomes children from the age of 3 months to 5 years. A 2 hectare area that's fully equipped with a range of teaching modules, it's the ideal place for a gentle introduction to skiing. 6‐
day courses of skiing lessons and other activities for the over 3s are available, as are group lessons for the over 4s, as well as a nursery and childcare centre. From 9th to 16th April 2011: 'Boule de Notes' ‐ 4th Children's Music and Song Festival. Original music‐and‐fun‐themed events will take place throughout the week: 'Les Petites Poucettes' will be singing nursery rhymes, the musical 'Cock Tales' chickens will cluck their way around the village, the ever‐inquisitive Colbock starlets will perform a turn and musical entertainment will transform the whole site into a playground children will adore. “Roc’n Bob”'s toboggan run At 4 kilometres long, with 22 corners and boasting a 450 metre vertical drop, helmet‐wearing tobogganers will have the time of their lives on this exhilarating downhill run through the heart of Les Menuires valley! The run is divided into 4 zones: The Roc Rapids, the Endless canyon, the Long Run and the Image waterfall. Guaranteed fun night or day! www.sevabel.com ‐ www.esf‐lesmemnuires.com ‐ www.bouledenotes.com AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS The Saint Martin de Belleville Museum The Saint Martin Museum opened its doors at the beginning of summer 2008. It takes visitors through 150 years in the history of a mountain valley. Housed over three floors of a former farm building, the museum traces the development of the Belleville Valley, long a symbol of a centuries‐old way of life and gaining a reputation as a major tourist destination in less than a generation. Guided musher excursion The musher and his team of Huskies are set to take visitors on an trip to the heart of nature, following an itinerary around Saint Martin that takes you past forests and rivers. When you arrive at your destination, the exploration continues with a visit to the Burdin mill, a completely restored typical mountain mill. Inside, look around an exhibition that sheds light on the fashions of yesteryear and the original function of the mill. Guided cultural outings As well as guided tours of the Notre Dame de la Vie Shrine and the Saint Martin de Belleville Church, FACIM guide‐
lecturers lead night‐time tours of Saint Martin by torchlight. The lanes of the old village reveal their secrets as the guide recounts the village's history and development through its traditional habitat, church, communal oven and other heritage treasures. The tour finishes with a chance to taste some local products. MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Mont de la Chambre, Pointe de la Masse, Roc des 3 Marches and Tougnète surround the ski area of Les Menuires/Saint Martin de Belleville. A breathtaking place that connects the 3 Valleys' 600 kilometres of runs to the wild ski areas on the freeride side. What also makes the area one of a kind is its easy access to off‐piste itineraries. Les Menuires/ Saint Martin alone accounts for 160 kilometres of runs. The valley enjoys an east/west exposure so skiers can plan their day according to the position of the sun. Snow guarantee; only in Les Menuires! Since January 2007, les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville have offered holidaymakers a "satisfaction or your money back" guarantee. If the resort's snow cover proves unsatisfactory to guests ‐ fewer than 80% of the major runs open due to lack of snow ‐ then holidaymakers are able to leave the resort and ask for a refund on their Les Menuires / Saint Martin ski pass and the cost of accommodation proportional to the number of unused days. FOR TRUE FREESTYLERS. At an altitude of more than 2,500 metres, the BK PARK is jam‐packed with moguls and rails for the perfect introduction to the joys of freestyle. A boardercross has been created so everyone can enjoy this new Olympic discipline. FOR TEENS: An intensive Freeski course reserved solely for teenagers with a hunger to learn. On the agenda: 4 intensive hours a day of exploring the 3 Valleys Snow Park, practising jumps on the Big Airbag, off piste, moguls… FOR BUDDING FREESTYLERS: A real playground with a range of accompanying activities at the BK Park including an Actimel tunnel and plenty of modules so kids can get started young! LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE The first resort to set up an "early booking" system: The earlier you book, the less you pay! Before the 1st November for breaks in December and January ‐ from 139€ per person and before 1st February for breaks in March and April ‐ from 194€ per person. Deal includes accommodation in a studio for 4 people + a 6‐day Les Menuires/Saint Martin ski pass. "Christmas Bauble" Break: 8 nights for the price of 7!! From the 18th to 26th December 2010 in Les Menuires. From 984€ for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children under the age of 18) coming to 246€ per person: accommodation in a 4 person studio apartment including a Family Pass (4 6‐day Menuires/Saint Martin ski passes) + a festive week of entertainment and events (children's shows, Christmas Eve celebrations etc.) Natural, 100% organic massages at the Kaya**** Hotel, a hay steam bath or milk and mountain honey bath at La Bouitte (** Michelin stars), or cocoa wrap at the CGH Les Clarines residence and Chalet du Gypse: you're spoilt for choice in Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville. And children aren't left out either, thanks to the luxury treatments that are tailor‐made for them at the CGH and Hotel Kaya residences! www.lesmenuires.com ‐ www.lesmenuiresreservation.com ‐ www.hotel‐kaya.com ‐ www.cgh‐residences.com ‐ www.la‐bouitte.com Press Contact
Gaëlle MOREAU Tel: +33 (0)6 87 30 67 87 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.serre‐chevalier.com Press area: http://www.serre‐chevalier.com/Dossier‐de‐presse
Winter Season: 11/12/10 to 25/04/11 ACCESS Train station: Briançon Airport: Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Turin‐Caselle Serre Chevalier Valley in the Hautes‐Alpes is France’s premier unlinked ski area. The gateway to the Ecrins National Park, Serre Chevalier Valley unites the UNESCO world heritage site of the Vauban fortifications in the town of Briançon with 3 villages: Saint‐Chaffrey / Chantemerle, Villeneuve / La Salle les Alpes, and Monêtier les Bains. Serre Chevalier Valley’s quality snow cover and the Mediterranean breeze that blows in from Italy over its rooftops make it a really successful destination. A number of traits give the area its originality, creating a mixture of modernity and authenticity, warmth and cold, and a naturally unspoilt mountain location where it feels good to be alive... MIND‐BLOWING SKIING France’s premier unlinked ski area features 250 kilometres of runs at an altitude that goes from 1,350 to 2,800 metres. Each year, Serre Chevalier welcomes a great many foreign visitors to enjoy snowsports and quality off‐piste skiing, giving the resort a cosmopolitan feel, both on the slopes and during the après‐ski. In school holidays, night‐time skiing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays on a section of the ski area. Once a week, visitors can find out all about the life of a piste groomer by travelling around the ski area in a piste grooming vehicle and finishing the evening off with dinner in a slopeside restaurant. Come nightfall, piste groomers and technicians spring to life behind the scenes to groom the runs. Uncover the hidden side of the ski area every Wednesday. Discover the piste grooming vehicles and enjoy a high altitude tour of cultured snowmaking facilities. New snowsports areas to discover The Snowpark, with three zones for different abilities − An exploration zone for beginners to make their first “jumps” in complete safety − An intermediate zone aimed at competent snowboarders who want to evolve and progress − An “expert” zone And for something more sociable, the “Coolzone” is a relaxing area equipped with sofas, music and a barbecue. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Good eating. This trend starts life on the plate and quickly transforms itself into a whole way of life. Several of the valley’s restaurants invite you to experience the know‐how and passion of “good eating” and “good living”. A wide choice of high quality, traditional cuisine is on offer. Featuring almost 100 restaurants showing off their talent with a range of creative, natural, gourmet delicacies, Le Chazal 1 Bib Gourmand Restaurant, Le Tryptique Restaurant and Le Loup Blanc to name but a few. Quality accommodation. Prestigious chalets: an original concept for dream holidays. Rent a beautifully built chalet with or without additional services. An all‐inclusive break that’s highly comfortable and pleasing to the eye from 4000€ for 6 people staying in the chalet over 7 days, including exclusive use of the well‐being area, daily cleaning (bedrooms), end‐of‐stay cleaning, supply of household linen & firewood and 24 hr concierge service. To organise your stay in Serre Chevalier, with or without additional services, go to www.chalet‐prestige.com LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Serre Chevalier Valley offers quality well‐being thanks to its ‘Grands Bains’ thermo‐leisure centre, a 4500m² area dedicated to relaxation and beauty. Naturally heated warm water (44°) feeds the indoor and outdoor pools. There are 3 well‐being zones: The ‘Grands Bains’ area featuring two 300m² indoor and outdoor pools (Jacuzzi, rapids, a run of underwater massage jets, three traditional Roman bath features: the frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium, musical grotto and a children’s playhouse...). The ‘Roman‐Irish’ zone is exclusively reserved for adults and includes a steam room, sauna and indoor pool… The ‘Health and Beauty Institute’ boasts a wide range of personalised treatments (hydrotherapy, hydromassages..) www.lesgrandsbains.fr The ‘Spa and Well‐being by Lagrange’ areas let you immerse yourself in a gentle world of harmony and relaxation. A real invitation to relax, take some time out and dedicate a few hours to enjoying the benefits of treatments, massages and Décléor rituals. Fitness suite, covered pool and steam room. www.vacances‐lagrange.com FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Awarded the “Family Plus” label, Serre Chevalier Valley is able to provide families with extra comfort. In addition to a personalised welcome, activities to suit individuals and the whole family, the resort organises entertainment and events suitable for all ages throughout the season and our reduced rates mean the whole family will enjoy every minute. The childcare facilities welcome children from a very young age, right up to teenagers. Skiing, sporting and cultural activities are all on offer so families can explore Serre Chevalier Valley. Zones for children and beginners are located both at the bottom of the slopes and at an altitude of 2,000 metres with beautiful views over the valley. Ski passes are free for children under the age of 6. The ski area features safe, supervised toboggan runs, as well as a half pipe and a “thrillseekers” run. Activities at the heart of nature. “Nature explorers” for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Activities supervised by mountain professionals to explore, understand and learn to love the mountain and its secrets. www.guides‐serrechevalier.com Press Contact
Stéphanie AILLET Tel: +33 (0)4 79 40 03 11 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.tignes.net Press Area: www.tignes.net/fr/espace‐
professionnels/espace‐presse‐220.html Winter Season: 25/09/10 to 08/05/11 ACCESS Train Station: Bourg St Maurice ‐ Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Geneva International Feeling the need to get on the snow? Well, you don't have to wait for winter to leave your tracks in the white stuff. Welcome to Tignes, the resort where snowsports addicts can hit the slopes before everybody else. From the 25th September 2010, the Grande Motte glacier will satisfy your hunger for twists and turns. Tips of your skis itching to be used? Luckily for you, the Espace Killy ski area opens on the 27th November 2010. Get your recommended daily allowance of downhill runs from the 300 kilometres available there: enjoyment guaranteed up until1st May 2011. And Tignes will be going into extra time until the 8th May 2011, so get stuck in! MIND‐BLOWING SKIING It's better to be safe than sorry in Tignes. The slopes aren't the only place to go skiing… Tignes is THE freeride skiing resort bar none. Renowned for its exceptional off piste areas, skiers who lust after wide open spaces can point their skis off the beaten track in Tignes, where 80% of the area is classed as 'off piste'. In this resort, freeride skiing is synonymous with safety rather than danger. For 6 years, Tignes has put in place an information and awareness policy for basic safety rules when skiing off piste. 4 information stands, 6 deliberately ungroomed "Naturide" ski zones, an ARVA (Avalanche Victim Locator System) training area and more than 50 trained ski patrollers… The Swatch Snowpark: “You shoot my ride, I pimp my style”. All aboard for the Swatch Snowpark! Following the success of winter 2009, with an ever‐increasing number of visitors (more than 950 people at peak times), the Swatch Snowpark and its team of 6 shapers are back in service from December. Kitted out with high‐tech equipment, the park features the "shoot my ride" concept. How does it work? A camera films your jumps on the kickers and at the end of your run your video is played on a giant screen at the bottom of the snowpark. A great way to improve and have fun at the same time! The best rider each week wins a Swatch watch. The Europe Tignes Winter X Games, from 16th to 18th March 2011. Put it in your diary! After Aspen at the end of January 2011, Tignes welcomes more than 125 athletes coming from the 4 corners of the world to complete in the 2nd Europe Tignes Winter X Games skiing and snowboarding competitions: from 16th to 18th March 2011. The first ever Europe Tignes Winter X Games was held last year in Tignes. The 3 days of competitions attracted 66,200 spectators to the Savoyard resort. LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE Ice diving Last winter, more than 600 people gave this brand‐new mountain adventure a go. Beginners and experienced divers followed the line under Tignes Lake in complete safety, equipped with masks and fins, accompanied by Alban, David or Vincent, the fabulous instructors who each have their own special ways of showing you the ropes. It's available to everyone, so why not give it a try? Practical info: Every day from the beginning of December to the middle of April, from 11am to 4pm. Night‐time diving takes place every Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm. All change for ski lifts Bigger, faster, more eco‐friendly! A new gondola lift linking Tignes les Boisses to Tignes le Lac has just replaced the old chair lift which dates back to 1976: a rate of 3,000 skiers per hour as opposed to 900, a journey of less than 4 minutes, as opposed to 9 minutes, 8 seats and room for 10 people standing… It's the biggest step forward in the history of ski lifts in Tignes! Not to forget its eco‐friendliness: 1 pylon less on the mountain, and the complete elimination of concrete bases. Departure: Tignes les Boisses at an altitude of 1,770 metres. Arrival: Tignes le Lac plateau du Marais at an altitude of 2,180 metres. Its doors will open alongside the opening of the Tignes Espace Killy ‐ Val d'Isère ski area. TIGNES WINTER MADNESS. Tignes Winter Madness is an "advertgame" that invites you to experience Tignes as if you were there! A little taster of your winter holiday that will make you feel as if you could almost reach out and touch the snow… From September onwards, play on www.tignes‐winter‐madness.com. The player chooses between 5 levels in the form of an interactive video game which highlights all of Tignes' strengths: slalom on the slopes, 120 seconds in the frenzied Europe Winter X Games, dive under the ice of the frozen lake, fly 360° above the mountaintops… And what's the prize? A sportscar, an invitation to celebrate the New Year 2010 in Tignes with 10 of your friends and a holiday for 4 people in Tignes during the X Games. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Ideal after a day's skiing, Le Lagon is the jewel in Tignes' well‐being crown! A 5000 m² Aquatic and fitness centre, this refuge is situated at an altitude of 2,100 metres on the banks of a natural lake and offers an impressive view over the mountains. It boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, as well as a fun pool. The 30 metre long waterslides are an absolute must… a brilliant time is guaranteed! Holiday On Ice ‐ Get your bell‐bottoms and wigs at the ready for Disco On Ice evenings taking place on Tignes' natural ice‐rink, the frozen lake. Entertainment, 80s music, free hot chocolate and mulled wine… be prepared to get down and funky! Every Thursday from 8pm, free entry. The GlissPark; slopes are all very well for your first attempt at freestyle but the GlissPark is so much better! This is a place where budding skiers can have fun trying out new snowsports. Children can test their skills and attempt freestyle on a parallel slalom, mini boardercross and a jump. Who'll be the fastest? Who'll jump the highest? NEW: The GlissPark has introduced a mini mogul ski run this winter, a major skiing event in the Olympic Games. Where can you find the Gliss Park? At the top of the Millonex drag lift and the Palafour chair lift, in Tignes le Lac, on the Millonex slope. Open every day from November to May 2011. Free entry. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS A slopeside restaurant unlike any other… The Panoramic is the highest hot‐spot in the ski area. But at an altitude of 3,022 metres on the Grande Motte glacier, it's fair to say that running it is no mean feat. At a time when most tourists are hardly even awake, the staff of the "Pano" are all aboard the first funicular of the day, with supplies that need to be taken 900 metres up the mountain. Once they arrive, the first task of the day is clearing snow from the 1,000 m² terrace, which can reach temperatures of ‐20°C. Then its over to the ovens, where local specialities are whipped up for the 1,000 dishes to be served throughout the day to skiers seeking shelter at the fireside of this unique restaurant. Ringo‐sledges at the ready! Who hasn't torn down the slopes at superspeeds, gripping your ringo‐sledge's handle for dear life? Did you know, these strange flat devices used as sledges are not so very different from the wood and iron racing cars of yesteryear… And because Tignes is a place for children to have fun overtaking and bumping into their friends, 2 areas are reserved exclusively for toboggans: one in le Lavachet, and one at le Lac. Easily identifiable, both areas are dedicated to children of all ages and are safely supervised and managed throughout winter, for higgeldy‐
piggeldy racing fun! The Colinn Chalet au Franchet de Tignes is nestled in the heart of nature! Its south‐west aspect faces the 'Dôme de la Sache' and overlooks the Tignes dam, perched on the mountainside. Its 5 bedrooms have been decorated around the theme of travel, opening up the world, as it did for the Savoyard peddlers from the valley who set off for other countries as early as the 19th century. The chalet's services include daily newspapers, home cinema and internet access. Flat screen TV and DVD player in each bedroom. Multimedia library, sauna, hot tub and shuttlebus service. PRESS CONTACTS Jane JACQUEMOD ‐ Sophie MARTIN Tel: +33 (0)4 79 06 06 60 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.valdisere.com Press area: http://photos.valdisere.com/ Winter Season: 27/11/10 ‐ 08/05/11 ACCESS Train station: Bourg St Maurice Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry ‐ Geneva International Val d’Isère opens up the world of snowsports to everyone… with no exceptions. Mountain, sports and leisure lovers can enjoy their passion to their heart's content in this legendary destination. With a world‐renowned ski area ranking amongst some of the best in the world, a real‐life dream awaits you from the end of November to the beginning of May. The traditional, authentic village setting with its 11th century belltower creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere loved by everyone. MIND‐BLOWING SKIING Espace Killy: highlights ‐ expanse, altitude, position. 300 kilometres of runs, 90 ski lifts and exceptional snow cover from the end of November to the beginning of May. With slopes facing every direction, you can plan your route by the position of the sun. Springtime skiing. Come and explore the secret places that are inaccessible in the depths of winter by skiing on the legendary, easy "springtime snow". From 23rd April to 1st May 2011, 3 nights in a 2** hotel with breakfast, a 3‐day Espace Killy ski pass, + 2 mornings with an ESF guide (to properly explore the best areas), is all from just 337€ per person. www.valdisere.com AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS Val d'Isère, with its village and 11th century belltower is the only authentic village located at an altitude of 1,850 metres, at the heart of one of the world's most beautiful ski areas. "Save Your Logo" ‐ Val d'Isère is dedicated to the protection of eagles. With the "Save Your Logo" campaign, Val d'Isère is contributing to the protection and safeguarding of these birds, as well as the preservation of the planet's biodiversity. Val d'Isère in White: pedestrian and skiing areas extended, constant reapplication of a fine layer of snow on the paths, path gritting and road salting banned, restriction of traffic created by delivery vehicles, construction of covered and raised above ground car parks, priority given to public transport... www.valdisere.com LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE For some years now, the resort of Val d'Isère has been steadily developing and upgrading. As of this year, it now proudly boasts two 5* hotels (Le Savoie and Les Barmes de l'Ours) and six 4* hotels. Major renovations are underway at the 4* Blizzard and Aigle des Neiges hotels. Profile of young Val d'Isère chef Anthony Tempesta: in charge of the restaurant at the family‐run hotel, La Becca, Anthony has just been awarded the title "Master restaurateur", which rewards chefs who use a minumum of 70% fresh, seasonal products in their cuisine. The title allows him to officially train apprentices and is awarded every 4 years. Exclusive: an evening in an igloo. After a day's skiing, go back up the mountain in a helicopter and get dropped off at an igloo. Enjoy a champagne apéritif around a campfire, whilst watching the sun set over Mont Blanc. Then it's off for an individual snowscooter tour before feasting on fondue in the igloo. A torchlit descent rounds off the evening. www.valdisere.com FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS Val d'Isère was awarded the "Family Plus Mountain" label. The resort is developing increasing numbers of family services: welcoming children from the age of 18 months and special children's offers (Christmas, April) "Oxygen"; new aquasports centre ‐ 5000 sports facilities including 780m² of water recreation featuring a swimming pool and fun pool, as well as a climbing wall, multi‐activity sports hall, fitness suite and weights room, squash courts, wellness area including a sauna, steam room, spa, cold plunge pool, hydromassage… A wonderful place where the whole family can create unforgettable memories in a unique setting. The children's village. Child care for children between the ages of 18 months and 13 years. Open from Sunday to Friday. According to their age, children are invited by a team of professionally qualified supervisers to take part in a number of leisure and early learning activities. www.valdisere.com Press Contacts Winter Season: 20/11/10 to 08/05/11 ACCESS Train station: Moutiers Airport: Chambéry Savoie ‐ Lyon St Exupéry – Geneva International Stéphanie KEMPF ‐ DALBAN Tel: +33 (0)4 79 00 84 84 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.valthorens.com Press area: www.valthorens.com/hiver‐
fr/espace‐pro/espace‐pro/presse.72.html At an altitude of 2,300 metres, Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe and the peak of the 3 Valleys (600 kilometres of runs). Between fields of powder snow and perfectly groomed runs, quality snow is guaranteed from November to May, with 99% of the ski area situated between an altitude of 2,000 and 3,230 metres. Val Thorens is also a “doorstop skiing” resort par excellence. FAMILY TIME IN THE MOUNTAINS One pass, 3 activities The 3 in 1 pass combines walking, fun and relaxation including: ‐ A 6‐day pedestrian pass giving you access to a wide range of walks of all levels. ‐ A daytime toboggan descent down the longest toboggan run in France: start at an altitude of 3,000 metres and cover a length of 6 kilometres over a vertical drop of 700 metres during a 45 minute descent. ‐ 6‐day aqua pass ‐ Rate: 111€ NEW: free for children under the age of 6. 25% discount on children aged between 6 and 12. 1 day pass: 29.50 € The Val Thorens Family Pass is extending its age limit for children to the age of 20! For families of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children up to and including the age of 20, 6 days of skiing are just 569,50€ for everyone! That’s just 125€ per day. AUTHENTIC MOUNTAINS La Belle en Cuisse Exactly what the sign says. The minute you open the door, you’ll be blown away by this Val Thorens shop, as much by the aroma as by the look of the place. It is hardly bigger than a pocket handkerchief, yet is stuffed to the brim with ham, sausages and a selection of cured meats, alongside delicious cheeses and vintage wines… A must‐visit address! Tel.: +33 (0)4 79 00 04 30 / www.la‐belle‐en‐cuisse.fr Les Aiguilles de Péclet Val Thorens local, Camille Rey, welcomes you to her restaurant at an altitude of 3,000 metres. She offers homemade traditional cuisine, including all the Savoyard classics (tarte au beaufort, tartiflette, fondue...) and daily mountain specials (Savoyard hotpot, Savoie diot sausages with beaufort infused polenta...). Pedestrians can also enjoy what’s on offer, thanks to the Péclet Funitel lift that goes up from the resort. (8 minute journey) ‐ Tel.: +33 (0)4 79 00 03 76 Gastronomy week Not to be missed! From the 15th to the 22nd January, the resort’s chefs and shopkeepers will let you sample their produce and share their know‐how with you: tastings, gastronomic dinners, scientific workshops… Gastronomy week on the mountain tops from just 205.50 €* per person Includes: 7 days’ accommodation and 6‐day Val Thorens Orelle ski pass, discovery of regional produce and local know‐how in a range of food‐themed events! MIND‐BLOWING SKIING More changes at the snowpark. Calling all apprentice freestylers, the snowpark awaits! A Mecca for getting together and having fun on the 2 Lacs sector, the Val Thorens snowpark’s 70,000 m² surface area is being extended once more this winter for the benefit of beginners and experienced freestylers alike. The beginners’ area will be much bigger and will comprise blue and green tables and easy rails, as well as the fun route known as the bank slalom. The Cime Caron cable car is a major ski lift in Val Thorens. Providing access to the legendary summit of the same name with its 3,200 metre altitude peak, it provides breathtaking panoramic views over more than 1,000 surrounding summits. At 2.1 kilometres long, it climbs almost 900 metres at an average speed of 10 metres per second and can carry 150 people. 2 cable car cabins have been replaced with more comfortable, designer models featuring huge windows that provide amazing panoramic views. At the foot of the Péclet glacier with its stunning mountain scenery, set off from an altitude of 3,000 metres on your mountain bike to devour a 700 metre vertical drop over the 6 kilometre long Tête Ronde blue run. Open to sports fans as well as experienced mountain bikers, 3 evening sessions are organised each week. Learn how to slide on a mountain bike, how to position yourself correctly, how to brake, turn and deal with possible falls during more than 45 minutes of never‐done‐before night‐time downhill mountain biking. LIFE STYLE & EXCLUSIVE The Chalet de Marine has erected a Mongolian yurt at an altitude of more than 2,500 metres on the Dalles blue run. In a location as spacious, cosy and warm as it is authentic, you can sample Mongolian cuisine 3 times a week with friends or family (ragout, deep‐fried dumplings and salted milk tea…). The dishes are prepared by the Chalet Marine chefs and are left on the traditional old stove in the middle of the yurt just before the guests arrive. Last March, at the age of 31, Jean Sulpice, Master Chef at the Oxalys restaurant in Val Thorens, was awarded his second Michelin star, making him the youngest chef in France to be awarded 2 stars. Several Sunday afternoons a month, holidaymakers can go ‘backstage’ at a Michelin starred restaurant for a new, exclusive cookery lesson. Over two hours, they will discover a range of flavours achieved using local produce and the creation of 5 dishes: 3 savoury and 2 desserts. At the Balcons de Val Thorens Residence This winter, Les Balcons de Val Thorens **** residence opens the doors to its new 600m² well‐being and relaxation centre. Situated at the heart of the residence, this stylish area offers a gentle après ski experience: swimming pool (10 metres), spa, steam room, sauna, treatment area (massages, body and facial treatments, balneotherapy…) and fitness suite.