You may have already heard of La Tyrolienne – the new zip wire that runs from Orelle to Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallees.
It opened last month in February 2014 to become the highest zip wire in the world – so how could we resist trying it out for you!
(c) Val Thorens Tourist Office
Orelle – the secret valley in Les 3 Vallees
The start point for La Tyrolienne is the top of the Bouchet chair in Orelle. If you’ve never skiied in Orelle before, you’re in for a treat.
It’s the secret valley of Les 3 Vallees, so close to Val Thorens, high and with great snow, but with quiet, wide and empty pistes. (We liked it so much we came back the following day just to put in some extra runs.)
Once at the top of the chair, you will probably need to join a queue at the booking hut. The wire has proved so popular that a queue of one hour is typical, but it can be more.
Advance bookings are not possible, simply because the wire is dependent on the weather and will close in bad visibility or high winds. You can minimise your queuing time by turning up early in the day.
Turn up early to miniimise queuing time
The scales of truth!
Once in the hut, it’s time to pay and then get kitted up. The ride costs €50, which you can pay by cash or card.
First are the weighing scales of truth! This is essential for ensuring you are given the right sized harness and pulley. Don’t worry though – none of your secrets will be revealed as you are weighed in all your ski gear, ski boots and holding your skis or board.
The scales of truth
The nerves start to build…
Then it’s out onto the starting platform. Now all you have to do is wait for your turn. Before you’re go, you get to watch others start and let that adrenaline build.
Flyers start around every 3 minutes, so it won’t be long until one of the friendly staff will strap you on to the wire. It’s around this time that you start to get nervous!
At the zip wire start
Just wait for the green light and then the ground falls away ‘leaving you between heaven and earth’ as the official blurb puts it – and to be honest that’s exactly how it feels as you fly through the sky.
Fly like an eagle…
It’s 1.3km long, starting at 3230m and finishing at 3000m. If that wasn’t enough it takes you up to a top speed of 100 km/h with a drop of 250m below you.
It’s a thrilling ride, as you can see from this video we shot during the descent:
So was it worth it? Damn right it was!
If we’d had more time we’d have gone back for another go – just like the Swedish chap in the queue behind us. He’d waited for an hour on Wednesday and enjoyed it so much he came back with his girlfriend on Friday and waited for two hours.
Why? Simply because this is an experience unlike any other. Try it and you’ll see!
For Catered chalets in Les 3 Vallees (Val Thorens and Les Menuires are the nearest resorts to Orelle), simply contact the Chaletline team on 01822 617761.
Article, video and photos by Iain Martin