Latest Snow in the Alps

November 13, 2010

The snow has been coming and going over the last few weeks. A few days ago we recieved a proper “dump” with up to 50cm falling at about 2000m. This caused a rush down at the garage. Everyone decides on the same day that they need to swop to winter tyres. Thursday was the 11/11 bank holiday so after the annual memorial service we headed up to Avoriaz to test out the snow.

P1000654

Some friends of mine managed to try out their skis too. The following picture was taken on Mt Chery above Les Gets.

IMG_3526

Don’t forget we have a very useful weather page on this blog. The first place I go to check out the snow conditions.

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Posted by Gareth

Winter 2010/11 in St Gervais

November 13, 2010

snow scooter above St Gervais

The winter season is fast approaching!! And in the Evasion ski domain (which incorporates St Gervais, Les Contamines and Megève) you still have until the 15th November to purchase a season pass at a reduced rate. The full adult season pass is 496€, saving you 178€ on the normal price if you purchase it after that date.

Not sure you’ll be able to make the most of it? You need to ski around 13 days in the season to make it worthwhile buying, if not, the other pass option work out cheaper. A normal 6 day pass is 179E for adults and 144 E for children but there are many different options and discounts depending on group size.

Passes can be purchased on line here http://www.stbma.fr/Saison and season ones come with a present, which in previous years has been St Gervais branded lanyards, key rings, neck fleeces and bags. When purchased from the Megeve side, they are offering free access to the swimming pool for the season.

If you’re planning to come out to ski St Gervais or Megeve then be sure to download the FREE iphone application. It has all the details on the resort such as the weather forecast, snow depth, lift opening times, webcams and all the week’s events. But perhaps its best feature is the geo-position function which shows you your exact piste location, itinerary and speed. This should put an end to the interminable après-ski arguments of just who went the fastest, as well as providing vital information when you “loose” your group on the mountain!

To download this application visit the APP STORE and type « Saint-Gervais »

covered magic carpet st gervais

Finally, some new developments in the village have been spotted. An outdoor ice rink has been added to the centre of St Gervais and should provide a popular and picturesque activity in the winter months. And, the lift company has taken pity on young skiers in bad weather conditions and constructed a special covered lift system for them. Beginners using the magic carpet lift at Bettex’s nursery slope will now be able to travel in comfort through the wood and glass tunnel. Rumour has it, it will also be heated. What a great idea!

To plan a ski holiday in St Gervais see:

www.evasion74.com and www.holidayinalps.com for self catered accommodation

www.haute-altitude.com for a catered chalet holiday

www.resortrides.com for a door to door airport transfer service

and www.bassmegeve.com for you ski lessons.

What are you waiting for!

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Posted by Gareth

New Ski lift in Morzine

September 23, 2010

So the Summer is over and we have some bad weather forecast for the weekend. Maybe now would be the time to start talking about the coming ski season? Well here is a quick post to get us started. Though it’s probably only interesting to those who ski in the Portes du Soleil.

pt de nyon

This picture was taken at 1400m on the Plateau de Nyon just around the corner from the subject of this post.

We have spotted the construction of a new lift between Morzine and Les Gets. Situated in a bit of a no-man’s-land between the two ski areas (in fact this lift is on Verchaix land) Chamossière is Morzine’s “backcountry” ski area, the top of the skiing here is 2000m so the snow is consistently good, and apart from a red and a black run there are a number of unpisted bowls accessible from the summit.

It looks like the new lift will replace the old Télésiège de Chamossière,

http://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-1787.html

If you got exited by that link then calm down, “lift spotting” is no better than “trainspotting”.

I’ve taken a couple of pictures

chamossiere_sign

There is a fair discussion on the subject  on the remontees-mecaniques forum and a useful picture that shows you were the route goes

http://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11098

So the downside? Well this new 6 seater “detachable” chair will double the potential number of skiers in the backcountry around here, which just means it’ll get skied out twice as fast. Well that’s progress….

Update, there is snow falling on the tops, this picture was taken yesterday:

sept 24th 2010 b

From the webcam on top of the Mossettes:

http://portesdusoleil.livecam360.com/

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Posted by Gareth

Spring Alpine Property Market Review

March 30, 2009

This review has been posted by JC Skiera with Winkworth, our UK partners.

“After a poor second half of 2008, French ski resorts are witnessing an unexpected but welcome soft landing. In spite of negative economic data, recent price falls have spurred buying interest in previously unaffordable “niche” areas. This is particularly evident in prime locations within famous destinations such as Chamonix, Megève, Morzine and Samoëns. Central locations and quality properties – ideally both – are now supported by attractive rental returns and the sub 500,000 euros market is showing encouraging signs of life, with transactions in January and February exceeding expectations. New properties have been the worst affected by the downturn and are now looking far more appealing as developers are offering large price drops and incentives in order to sell their inventory. France has not suffered from a credit crunch and interest rates are still falling, which in turn ought to be reflected in healthier demand as we progress further into 2009.”

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Posted by Gareth

Le Picaron Ski Race 2009

January 21, 2009

A Ski Mountaineering relay race in Morzine. Start at the Tourist Office, one of the team (of 2) runs up to the Pleney stad and “runs” up to the top of the visible section, then skis down through the gates, tags partner, repeat twice. We finished in 51min, the winners manages 32 min! Francesca Eyre and I came first (and last) in the mixed category and also the International Catagory. We won a bunch of prizes too. Well worth the effort.

These photos all taken by Sian Hughes. From L to R. A skinny Lycra clad chap (who eventually managed 36 min, the descent, Gareth waiting for Francesca.

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Posted by Gareth

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