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