Thursday, August 19, 2010 | The Dérochoir black slope will be created for winter (2)

We provided information on the site last August 7, La Plagne has today published a press release entitled “The Dérochoir : a new black run !” :

The famous off-slopes "Dérochoir" becomes a black slope.

His route will be somewhat modified and improved. The ride starts in the neck at the bottom of the Chiaupe pass, at Chalet de Bellecôte chairlift (2278m). The run between these two aspects leads blank at the bottom of the black slope Crozats the heart of the Valley of Baucher. Walk along the creek in the middle of nature gives the impression of being outside the area and have to leave civilization.

Length : 2700 meters
Elevation : 500 meters
La Plagne is now proposing a total of 17 black slopes !

This is probably terms that will reassure anxious skiers who saw Dérochoir already become an avenue ! But unless I am mistaken, it should be this winter only 16 black slopes, since there were 17 before removal of Rochu and Bellecôte.

Source : Presse-LaPlagne | Thank Rodolphe

Thursday, August 19, 2010 | Intensive returfing

Even if no plot of La Plagne's ski area is “natural”, as it was built again and again, one may wonder sometimes, or even disapprove of some works on slopes. However, we can only congratulate the Societe d'Aménagement de La Plagne for his considerable efforts in returfing. La Plagne has also been a pioneer in this field, thank of his former slopes director André Martzolf. The returfing has not only an aesthetic purpose, but helps to fight against the gully and facilitates the setting of the snow.

For example, take the area of the Bergerie chairlift. Almost all the slopes were green again, and for good reason : the works were not completed until the soil had already been planted... And yet, on the fourth photo shows a trench dug early August to add a snowmaker, but the wall was previously entirely green. The facts are the same on the other slopes changed last year : snow front of Plagne 1800, La Fontaine in Montchavin or the Mont de la Guerre in Champagny.

Departure of the Bergerie chairlift in August 2009 and on August 12, 2010 

Monday, August 16, 2010 | A new swimming-pool in Montchavin (2)

We talked rapidly about it on May 14. Bellentre is building in Montchavin more than just a swimming-pool. The largest “aqualudic center” in Savoy is currently out of the ground. According with Anthony Favre, the Mayor, this is “a vital project for Montchavin” answering “a high expectation of the customers”. Works must be finished before June 2011 for a launch during the summer. It will then offer to holidaymakers in Montchavin-Les Coches : fitness center, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, massage, water features, solarium, and obviously two pools (indoor / outdoor), while in traditional architecture.

Works on August 12 

DHA Savoie's project  

Thank Thibault

Thursday, August 12, 2010 | Erratum : Montalbert's gondola lift

We talked on July 7 about the project of a gondola lift between Montalbert and the Tête du Fornelet. The 2011 date is not officially confirmed, but a gondola into two sections seems to be preferred to a chain of chairlifts. Contrary to what was written here, this gondola has never been requested by the Mayor of Aime for reasons of “prestige”.

The informations given on this website are not always official, so they are in this case to be taken with caution. I apologize to the Mayor of Aime and the Syndicat Intercommunal responsibles for this article.

A consensus seemed to be around the solution of a gondola, despite a higher cost and lower performance. For this project the flow is not the only criterion for the choice. An investment of this type requires a projection of 25-30 years. However, uncertainty about the snow as Montalbert station (1350 m) is real. La Plagne must therefore anticipate the possibility of lack of snow in the long term. Then there is the consideration that the customers of Montalbert are mainly family (including holiday clubs in altitude). A gondola will bring skiers (including children of ski schools) and pedestrians to the top of Fornelet faster, which would then be the focus of their activities in all conditions and allow a return to the resort.

Source : Entretiens

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 | The Verdons switch to “broadband”

As noted last May 27, the Verdons Sud chairlift will be replaced in 2011. First works will begin next fall, but we will have to wait a winter season to enjoy the new 6-seater chairlift. Meanwhile important works are in progress in the area. The top of Hara-Kiri red slope is currently expanding. Obviously one is impressed by the scope of works, but they are linked to the arrival next year of several hundred additional skiers per hour. Apparently it is impossible to increase the capacity of the ski lifts without works on slopes. This fall, the Verdons blue slope (north face) will again be expanded. Since the construction of the Verdons drag lift in 1971, this area may be the one who has been the most transformed, as evidenced by the photos below.

To save hundreds of thousands of euros, the SAP would also want to order a chairlift to replace the Verdons Nord, but no decision has yet been taken by the city of Macot. We have already mentioned the project of a chairlift from Plagne Centre, which would lead to the removal of the Z drag lift.

Works on Hara-Kiri on August 11  

Works on Hara-Kiri on August 8  

The Roc des Verdons in 1985 (on the left) and in 2007 (on the right)  

Saturday, August 7, 2010 | The Dérochoir black slope will be created for winter

Evoked since many years, the creation of the slope of the Dérochoir is officially announced for winter 2010. The Municipal Council of Bellentre authorized it on July 9 : “The SAP has filed a permit to construct. The Mayor of Bellentre recalls that skiers already take this track : the main objective is safety.” Indeed, the Dérochoir is so taken during season that it is almost “groomed”. Ensure maximum security to the thousands of skiers is a very good thing. The valley of Dérochoir was already largely secured by the preventive triggering of avalanches required for the opening of the Glacier area, but the creation of a slope is a further guarantee. It is likely that this beautiful itinerary will meet a huge success.

The creation of the slope last winter had been postponed for environmental reasons, as explained on October 19, 2009. Bellentre is in the “zone d'adhésion” (formerly peripheral zone) of the National Park of Vanoise. The Park has validated the project with restrictions about environment, and notably “protected plants”. Hope that works does not disfigure the area, and that the slope will keep a little wild side that made the success of Dérochoir.

With the creation of a slope for safety reasons, the removal of Rochu and Bellecôte slopes appears against the current. An off-slope was created, where skiers are being made before the responsibilities... This winter, at least one back, we will ski unlike other seasons : off-slope to the Chalet de Bellecôte (by ex-Rochu and Bellecôte) and in the ski area beyond !

Source : Bellentre's Municipal Council of July 9 | Thank Thibault

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | A gondola will replace Montalbert's chairlifts

In May, we told about the Montalbert's gondola as one of SAP's many projects. The construction of a 8 persons gondola has been announced for 2011 in the last municipal magazine of Aime. Many reservations have been expressed about this lift : many skiers prefer chairlifts, considered more convenient, but we had already talked about those of Bernard Chancel, President of the SAP, which considered , in 2009, that a gondola was less efficient than a chairlift, while being more expensive. All this without counting the environmental impact of a gondola station on the Tête du Fornelet, a frequented place on summer.

What about efficiency of a gondola ? In France, there is one recent 8-person gondola with comparable length (2.500 meters) : in Les Houches, built in 2006, whose output is only 1.800 skiers per hour. And according the FIRM, the average 8-person gondola under 5 years and over 2 km, is 2.130 skiers per hour, an output well below to a detachable 6 seater like Blanchets or Carella (3.000).

For reasons of prestige, more than efficiency, Montalbert will have its gondola. It will replace the Montalbert and Fornelet chairlifts, and the Fornelet drag lift. It should follow the line of chairlifts, and it should be an intermediate station for holidays centers. But will the gondola stop at Fornelet or highter, and for example, which would be logical, at Aime 2000 ? How intermediate stations ? Some questions that remain unanswered.

Source : Publication mlunicipale d'Aime | Merci à P.

Thursday, May 27, 2010 | Ski area : what projects ?

For the next season, the question is very late. In previous years we knew the projetcs a year before. Even last year, despite problems with Vega chairlift, we knew that Bergerie and Melezes chairlifts would be built. But this year ? What projets ? This question has been asked in the city council of Macot-La Plagne on April 26. “SAP has project no lift or works on slopes” this year or the municipal ski area committee gave “a negative opinion” on some projects : Mira slope or Dou du Praz slope. It should not be any works on the territory of Macot-La Plagne this summer. But elsewhere ?

In Champagny, works on Mont de la Guerre slope, launched last year in the upper part, would be continued this year downstream, but it seems they are delayed due to the absence of agreement of some owners. The Mayor had reported this risk : “90% of owners agree and others say no.”. In Montchavin, light remodeling works on slopes are also projected. There will therefore not much in 2010.

And for years to come ? What are the projects ? We have already mentioned many projects more or less ready, but a new round-up is required. A joint meeting between the Syndicat Intercommunal de La Plagne (SIGP) and the SAP was held earlier this month on future projects.

1 Verdons Sud chairlift. It is for many users of the ski area a top priority. It's still projected for Christmas 2011.

2 Télémétro between Plagne Centre and Aime-La Plagne. The idea to move the cable-car outside the resort's galleries was abandoned in favor of a deep renovation in the same place. A total of 1, 5 million Euros have been provided by the SIGP for studies.

3 Replacement of Fornelet chairlift. Several months ago, we talk about a replacement for Christmas 2011. There is a debate, not about the replacement, this chairlift is essential for Montalbert but terribly slow, but about what would be built instead. We have already mentioned the whish of the mayor of Aime to have a gondola from Montalbert to the top of Fornelet. Despite the hostility of some officials of the SAP, it appears that the gondola project has been validated. The first deputy mayor of Macot said, during the municipal council : “[SAP has decided] to slow investment in view of building the gondola of Montalbert.” If a gondola is built, two chairlifts not yet been amortized would be reinstall. We already talked about installing the 4-seater chairlift of Fornelet between Bauches and Carroley. Where would be move 4-seater chairlift of Montalbert ? And why not on a path near the Véga chairlift ?

4 Belle Plagne, Roche de Mio and Bellecôte gondolas. Since the renovation of the first section, we talk about a total reconstruction for 2015. At this time, the link between Bellecôte and Roche de Mio will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Several hypotheses have been studied on how to connect Roche de Mio and the Glacier de la Chiaupe to resorts of Belle Plagne and Bellecôte. There is also a problem of integration in resorts, especially in Belle Plagne. In recent months we talk about the construction of a gondola like the Funiplagne, but no precise information has been published to date.

5 Dérochoir slope. The project of a slope has been seriously studied before being delayed for botanical reasons, as we mentioned last October 19. There is no recent information about a new project. The removal of black slopes of the Glacier, “given back to nature”, do not plead for creation of a slope in this area...

6 Plagne Villages / Plagne Soleil. After “cancellation” of the project for this year, SAP will have to rethink a plan. There are many items : Aollets, Bergerie, Véga and Plagne Soleil. Yves Briancon, from skia area commission of Macot, said that they asked to SAP “a lift linking Plagne Soleil and Dou du Praz, which for now is not the seem to be considered”. It was a commitment of SAP, to obtaining the agreement of the municipality for its work in 2009, before abandoning it as we saw last August 21. Another problem, the replacement of the Véga chairlift by Colorado chairlift : “Joel Ougier Simonin said that SAP had agreed to move to Colorado instead of Vega”, but this commitmtment was also abandonned. Finally, several elected representatives, talk about saturation of the new chairlift La Bergerie. Patrice Merel draws attention to the new hotel projects planned on Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages while the Bergerie chairlift is already saturated. We had already evoked this problem on August 21, 2009.

So, many projects have been launched, but for a lot we have no more information...for now...

Source : Municipal council of Macot-La Plagne of April 26 and old news | Thank Stéphane, Olivier and Agnès

Friday, May 14, 2010 | A new swimming-pool in Montchavin

In summer 2011, will open the new pool of Montchavin, a Bellentre's project, for more than 5 million Euros. The works began last year, and the old pool has been demolished. This pool will offer summer and winter, fitness, jacuzzi, sauna... To overcome the absence of the pool this summer, les Côches's snowfront will be a beach (“Cochacabana”), like the famous “Paris Plage”. These pools are in vogue in many resorts, and it seems that La Plagne has some delay. Therefore, Aime has a similar project that could be open in Aime-La Plagne.

Montchavin's project  

Source : Mairie de Bellentre

Saturday, May 8 2010 | Is “Ski à la carte” really interesting ?

On January 3, I told about the new skipass “Ski à la carte” of the Compagnie des Alpes, that I choose for 2009/2010 season. Now it's time to evaluate : is it really interesting ? The answer is undoubtedly yes, after comparing preciseley day by day all the skipass available. For 17 days of skiing, the evaluation is very favorable.

With “Ski à la carte” and other offers like “SamediJeSkie”, the global cost of the season is 13% lower than the price of a SAP skipass (without reducing). And with only “Ski à la carte”, it would be 23% lower, due to “loyalty bonus” for only 1 €. A saving of 90 € which is far from being negligible !

This skipass is really interesting for those who ski a lot but not enough to buy a season skipass. Indeed costs of “Ski à la carte” season skipass would have been profitable only after 25 days of skiing. Competitive rates, superior flexibility, fidelity really rewarded ? Yes, the “Ski à la carte” is really interesting !

Friday, April 2, 2010 | SAP cancels Plagne Villages's projects

On March 13, we talked about the controversy concerning removal of the Aollets drag lift. On March 31, SAP sent letter to the union council of owners of the Gentianes in Plagne Villages :

So, Aollets drag lift will be not removed this year. It's time to find another project and a compromise. This old drag lift must be replaced, but Plagne Villages must be stay an independant resort.

Friday, March 19, 2010 | Happy 40th birthday Aime-La Plagne !

News and history... The “Paquebot des Neiges” has celebrated yesterday its 40th birthday. Even if the resort - he spoke of a “village” - was officially inaugurated on December 20, 1970, by the mayor of Aime, Pierre Borrione, whose role was decisive in the birth of La Plagne, Aime La Plagne is 40 years old in 2010. “Heritage of the 20th century” since 2003, the building, which has as many admirers as adversaries, has nevertheless become a symbol of La Plagne. If you have not already done so, I suggest you read how Michel Bezançon explains its architecture (only in french).

Aime-La Plagne in 1971 

Report of France 3 Alpes broadcasted on March 18  

Saturday, March 13, 2010 | Becoming of Plagne Villages into question

Last year, we followed the saga of the projects for the 2009/2010 season. We can summarize it with these questions : Véga chairlift would it be dismantled ? Bergerie chairlift would it be built ? Mélèzes chairlift should it be 4 or 6 chairs ? Should we build a lift in Plagne Soleil ? What should we do of Aollets drag lift ?

Discussions between representatives of Macôt-La Plagne and SAP were so tense, that we spoke of a “trial of strength”. But a compromise was found on February 9, 2009 :

Monsieur le Maire rappelle les propositions de la SAP. TSD 6 places la Bergerie (départ au dessus du garage de La Plagne / arrivée aval du téléski des Leitchoums), le conseil municipal a donné son accord. TSF Plagne 1800 - Plagne Centre avec ou sans tapis d'embarquement. Téléski du Saint Esprit : il sera déposé et remis perpandiculairement à l'ancien tracé afin d'alimenter le haut de Plagne Soleil. Michel Borlet demande s'il desservira le Dou du Praz et permettra de basculer sur Plagne Bellecôte. Monsieur le Maire répond par la positive. Dépose des téléskis de la Chevrette et des Aollets : Monsieur le Maire informe qu'il a demandé à la SAP de repousser ces opérations à l'année prochaine afin de réfléchir en commun sur le devenir du secteur de Plagne Villages.

On March 16, the Municipal Council authorized removal of Véga chairlift :

Monsieur le Maire rappelle le programme des remontées mécaniques 2009 présenté par la SAP [...] Il présente la proposition complémentaire de la Société d'Aménagement de La Plagne de déplacer le télésiège 6 places du Colorado en lieu et place de l'actuel tracé du télésiège fixe 2 places du Véga”. Le Conseil Municipal accepte le démontage du télésiège fixe 2 places du Véga et le déplacement du télésiège 6 places débrayable du Colorado sur l'actuel tracé du télésiège du Véga.

A year later, Saint Esprit drag lift has been removed, but no lift has been built to the Dou du Praz, as announced on August 21, 2009. But as expected, the issue of “becoming of Plagne Villages” is back this spring. SAP proposes to remove Chevrette and Aollets drag lifts, and to replace them by a school drag lift, reserved for the snow front of the resort, which will be too short to switch to Plagne Bellecôte. Like their neighbors of Plagne Soleil, residents of Plagne Villages will therefore go down to Plagne Centre.

To draw attention to this problem, a Facebook group has been created : “Sauvons le Téléski des Aollets à La Plagne” and it organizes a flash mob on February 18, with more of 180 people in Plagne Villages, a mobilization evoked by the Dauphine Libere in its edition of March 5.

Dauphiné Libéré of March 5  

Sources : Municipal councils of Macot-La Plagne February 9 and March 16 2009

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 | HD Webcams : and a second !

Two days ago, talking about the new HD camera at the top of the Bergerie chairlift, we regret that an old camera has been installed at the Grande Rochette a few weeks before... Well this morning, have been uploaded images of the new HD Livecam at the Grande Rochette ! La Plagne is catching up very fast, and that's good ! Just one thing now : why not a camera near of the Roche de Mio, the only sector still “blind”...

Webcam at the Grande Rochette on March 2, at 6:10 pm 

Sunday, February 28, 2010 | (At last) an HD webcam in La Plagne !

On last January 16, commenting the new webcam at La Grande Rochette, we regret that it is not a high definition camera like Livecam by Katalys. Well, La Plagne has rightly opted for this webcam at the top of the Bergerie chairlift. For ten days, great images are displayed. On the Forum of Paradiski, which had sent, in 2009, two letters asking for new webcams, reactions are obviously very positive. But still one question : why did you choose a webcam of the older generation for La Grande Rochette, the most beautiful panorama of the Alps ?

Webcam at top of the Bergerie chairlift on February 27, at 7:20 am  

Sunday, January 24, 2010 | Rochu, Bellecôte disappear from the piste map ! (2)

On November 5, 2009, we questioned ourselves about the lack of Rochu and Bellecôte black slopes on the new pist map. Asked about a complete removal, the SAP said that the slopes would be marked and would not pass in off-piste. However, on December 28, on R'La Plagne, for daily ski area news, Christian Bérard said that the two slopes “no longer exist” and “have been made to nature” and that skiers would ski there “at their peril”. We read on a sign at the top of slopes : “Warning off-piste area. You engage in an unsecured area at your own responsability”.

The top of Rochu and Bellecôte slopes on January 23  

So, La Plagne has decided to axe two of the most beautiful slopes. The reason given was their too frequent closure. But we will continue to consider this initiative, particularly as their value was recognized at the head of the Société d'Aménagement de La Plagne...

Interview of Bernard Chancel, the SAP President, by France 3 Alpes, on August 30, 2005  

Thank Dominique

Saturday, January 23, 2010 | A new webcam at Monchavin

On January 16, we talked about the new webcam of the Grande Rochette. The Tourism Office of Montchavin-Les Coches just move the webcam installed at the village for several years to Plan Leschaux (near the top of the Bijolin chairlift). To see : a beautiful panorama view on Mont Blanc, Mont Pourri, Bellecôte...

The new webcam of Montchavin on January 23, at 10:10am  

Saturday, January 16, 2010 | A new webcam at the Grande Rochette

On this site, on March 22, 2004, I congratulated La Plagne for its new panoramic webcam at the Grande Rochette. At this time, it was a good innovation for the resort, where there was only a little camera in Plagne Centre. In 6 years, webcams, viewed by future skiers, have become the best tools to promote winter sports resorts on Internet. Moreover, on December 22, 2009, the second french channel broadcasted a report about webcams of the small resort of Le Grand Bornand.

So, La Plagne was a leader in 2004. But, for 6 years the webcam had more and more technical problems. Above all, a new generation of cameras emerged, like Livecam HD of Katalys, with great pictures, used by Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d'Isère. So, La Plagne was expected to modernize its webcams. The Forum de Paradiski, sent two letters about this in 2009.

La Plagne has just installed a new camera at the top of the Grande Rochette, this is not a Livecam, but I leave you to discover...

Sunday, January 10, 2010 | The new Mont de la Guerre slope

With recent snowfalls, the Mont de la Guerre slope has been opened. The opportunity to discover a new slope, redrawn in its central part this summer. It has even been snow packed, what was the main objective of the works. The new slope will be inaugurated in 13 days by the 8th Derby du Mont de la Guerre. The works are expected to continue in the bottom this summer, with maybe some snow cannons.

Map of the works  

The slope on January 10, 2010 

Works on August 16, 2009  

The slope on January 10, 2010 

Works on August 16, 2009  

The slope on January 10, 2010 

Works on August 16, 2009  

Thank Jean-François

Sunday, January 3, 2010 | “Ski à la carte”

In 2008, the Companie des Alpes launched in its resorts Holiski : no need to go to ticket offices, reduced rates and monthly billing. The product has changed this year, becoming Ski à la Carte. Despite a problem during, the delivery of the card (too long, but it was during holidays), and the first day of use (the card did'nt work during 2 hours, but we can take lifts), Ski à la Carte is a good product.

With the card you have a great flexibility : once obtained there is nothing to do, and everything is automatic. Rates are reduced (-15 to -25% on the day skipass) and, as you pay just the days you've skied, that's really interesting, because the gradual reduction applies from the first day. Example for 3 days of skiing, La Plagne's skipass would cost 120 € or 40 € a day. With Ski à la Carte, you only pay 37 € per day, and with the opportunity to ski or not ... Obviously you must pay the card itself (29 €), but at the same time, the 9th day of skiing will cost ... 1 €. So, we must wait the end of the season to know if Ski à la Carte is really more interesting, than the classic skipass.

Friday, January 1, 2010 | Revolution in the galleries of Plagne Centre

Firstable, I wish a Happy New Year 2010 to all visitors of www.PERSo-LAPLAGNE.fr whom I thank for their faithfulness.

In 2010 in Plagne Centre, will be launched the greatest project since the resort's construction : the complete renovation of all the galleries. A project conducted by owners and the city of Macot, to restore consistency, modernity and prestige of the first resort, founded in 1961. One kilometer of galleries (over 3200 m²) that has a fundamental importance in the project of integrated resort designed by Michel Bezançon, allowing an internal circulation by all weather.

But for more 40 years, these galleries have suffered of lack of maintenance and various adjustments. Their current state is, according with everybody, extremely damaging to the image of the resort and unsuitable for everyday use (elevation, deterioration, darkness, lack of security ...). Moreover, they are not accessible to the disabled, as should all public spaces due for 2012-2015.

This renovation financed by the city and the owners of Plagne Centre, for a total of 5.9 million euros could be completed late 2012. On December 28, Jean Robino (owners union) and Richard Broche, the Mayor of Macot, have presented a very high quality project, by Maironi architects. It intends to make these galleries accessible (with some lifts) and rethink its appearance. The watchwords are : light, enlargment, harmony and acoustic correction. Reconstituted stone on floor, stone and light wood on walls, wooden ceiling perforated to subdued lighting and a soothing soundscape. To recall the color of La Plagne's logo, the path will be decorated with red lights.

Two key places : the Place de la Cheminée and the Gallerie des Ecrins. The project creates a prestigious showcase at the entrance of the resort (Ecrins) and restores the great public square (Place de la Cheminée) of 1960's-1970's, with a new modern fireplace. This is really an ambitious project for La Plagne's 51st birthday !

Sources : Mairie de Macot, Images publiées sur le site du cabinet Maironi | Merci à Alain