2018 Ferrari Cavalcade Monte Bianco – Courchevel 20/21 June 2018

Around 100 Ferraris will be on display in Courchevel on Wednesday & Thursday at the start of the 2018 Ferrari Cavalcade Monte Bianco.

The 2018 route first stage is on Thursday and heads for La Thuile and on to the Aosta Valley.

Traffic restrictions are in place on Thursday and the road to the Courchevel Altiport will be closed to all traffic during the hill climb time trials from La Résidence Les Balcons de Pralong to La Ferme de Pralong from 12:00 until 14:00.

New Mountain Biking Trails in Courchevel for Summer 2018

Good news on some new work (at last) on Courchevel Mountain Biking Routes or VTT as they call it here. Courchevel was falling well behind Méribel after all the investment in facilities they put in for the Mountain Bike World Cup competition a couple of years ago.

Since the beginning of June, the Courchevel Mairie has recruited a team of workers to mark up, maintain and create some new mountain bike routes.

For Summer 2018 there will be 2 new bike patrols to carry out the marking and maintenance of the trails and install new signage to the approved standards of the French Cycling Federation.

Two new downhill tracks have been created for this Summer (graded red):
1. La Louza – From the top of Loze down to Courchevel 1850.
2. Le Betchet – From the top of Loze down to the top of the La Tania Gondola.
We’re still waiting for news of lifts open up to the Loze however (Chenus used to open in Summer)

Two new enduro / downhill tracks have also been created:
1. Le Retcher from the top of the Loze to the Saulire cable car.
2. La Bozé from Courchevel 1850 to Bozel.

In addition a pumptrack (up and down rollers on a circular(ish) specially constructed track) has been installed in the centre of 1850 on the snow-front and a new walking path named La Foré from the summit of the La Tania Gondola to Courchevel 1850 has been created.

In total there will be 15 enduro / downhill courses including 3 Funny Tracks, 2 Downhill Tracks, 5 Walking Trails and 1 VAE (Electric Assisted Mountain Bike) course will be marked and maintained in Courchevel.

The Courchevel / La Tania Summer Brochure online here and remember the Courchevel and La Tania lifts are free this Summer!

Ski Lodge Opens for Summer on Thursday 28 June 2018

Pub Le Ski Lodge opens its doors for Summer on Thursday 28th June in time for the 3rd of England’s World Cup group games v Belgium.

The Ski Lodge England Flag will be flying high in the Kalninigrad Stadium – keep an eye out for it!

As usual the original Alpine Fish n Chip Special will be served every Friday throughout Summer until the end of August.

And the official opening party is on Saturday 30th June with music from Gypsy Soul

Come on England!

S3V Wins Green Initiative Award in Les Trophées de la Montagne 2018

S3V, the Ski Area Management and Lift Company for Courchevel, La Tania and Méribel Mottaret has won a Green Initiative Award at Les Trophées de la Montagne 2018.

In Partnership with IRSTEA (The National Institute for Research in Science and Technology for the Environments and Agriculture) the re-seeding of new piste areas using locally sourced seed mixes to protect the soil erosion and to promote biodiversity has been recognised.

In addition local seeds are more resistant to climatic conditions and altitude when re-vegetation work takes place.

Re-seeding work above Courchevel Moriond 1650 last Summer:

The S3V and IRSTEA Presentation:

The S3V/IRSTEA PowerPoint Presentation available here

Cascade des Poux Footpath Closed

A new local by-law has been put in place to prohibit use of the path up to the Cascade des Poux following the landslide there this Winter.

This is the track from Lac Rosiere following the stream up to Valée des Avals.

See Mairie notice below (click for full size).

New Grangettes Gondola – More Info From S3V

NEW GRANGETTES GONDOLA

COMFORT and PERFORMANCE

This lift is the main link for pedestrians, skiers and toboggans between Courchevel Village 1550 and Courchevel 1850.

Dating from 1975 and modernised in 2004, the Grangettes gondola lacked capacity (barely 855 people/hour), comfort and reliability.

The new gondola representing an €11.5m investment is on the same route but with
modern, new, 10-seater cabins (with interior / exterior night lighting and a 2m10cm height so you are able to stand up) replacing the small 4-seater bubbles.

An upload rate of 2400 passengers per hour is an increase of 81% and journey time is 2mins 55secs instead of the previous 5 minutes an increase of over 40%.

In addition, the boarding area will have no ramps or steps and the new cable grip hangars have a new suspensions system making for an even more comfortable journey.

S3V are spoiling us! The new gondola will open in December 2018.

More on Construction Work in and around La Tania

Latest on some of the Construction Work in and around La Tania this Summer…

The new Chalets in La Tania seen to be going up relatively slowly – will be interesting to see if there’s any kind of path going down from the top of the Grand Bois / Chalet Road.

The chalet at the top that is covered in scaffolding is Chalet Chabirusse, this is refurb work, not part of the new construction work – artists impressions below…

Meanwhile work is progressing on the Saboia “B” apartment block that was closed last Winter due to land slip and foundation subsidence – we’re told it will open for this Winter much to the relief of owners and staff accommodation hunters.

The Olympic Torch / Symbol in Le Praz has been put back in place as the initial work starts on the new gondola base station, underground car park, Tourist Office, ticket counters, crêche, sports facilities etc. More info on this in our What’s New article last year.

The Summer Ski Jumping World Cup event goes on as normal – one of the major (and most entertaining) events during Summer. The 2018 event takes place on 10th & 11th August.

Down the valley in Brides Les Bains the new Thermal Baths and Spa complex is taking shape.

Works on the outside & car parking area is largely completed. Work continues on the tennis courts and public space areas.

Bring Your Sausages! Hotel Mercure Courchevel BBQ Invite

“Bring Your Sausages” – An invitation from the Hotel Mercure for the residents of Courchevel during inter-season…

Starting today, Tuesday and on every Tuesday in June, we launch a new concept: “Bring Your Sausages”!

See you Tuesday!
HOTEL MERCURE, COURCHEVEL

La Tania Ski Blog in the Top 10 UK Ski Blogs

Good to hear that our blog latania.co.uk/blog made it into The Feedspot Top 10 UK Ski Blogs on the Web.

Blogs are ranked based on the following criteria:

* Google reputation and Google search ranking

* Influence and popularity on Facebook, twitter and other social media sites

* Quality and consistency of posts

* Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

No 3-day piss up and grand Awards Ceremony like the World Ski Awards in which Val Thorens win World’s Best Resort every year (when Kitzbühel doesn’t).

But we’ll promise to try and stop being cynical about our industry awards…

For example, we’re sure it’s just a coincidence that Kitzbühel Lift Company win World’s Best Lift Company every year and the awards event is held every year in… Kitzbühel!

Thanks to everyone for their support.

Aquamotion & Val d’Isere Skiing now open

Aquamotion, the swimming pool, spa, indoor surfing, fitness and sports centre situated between Courchevel 1550 & 1650 opened its doors for Summer this weekend.

Reduced prices available midweek until 6th July 2018.

Stars “n” Bars, the bar/restuarant from Monaco is open from 11:00 to 18:00 (closed Mondays until w/b 9 July when it will be open every day of the week).

Meanwhile Summer Skiing got underway at Val d’Isere this weekend. Lifts open between 6am & 7am to Noon until 13 July 2018.

Tignes Summer Ski area on the Grande Motte opens on 23 June until 5 August. Looking fabulous right now…