The ski resorts of France have been working hard over the close season in preparation for this winter.
Around €300 million euros have been spent improving the lifts and slopes. Some of the major changes are listed below:
NEW RUNS/ZONES
• Avoriaz: An expansion of the Stash Park – a natural snowpark with over 80 obstacles made of wood and snow – so that it now features a banked slalom, four new wooden obstacles and another new forest conservation initiative.
• Paradiski: Skiing in Les Arcs 1800 will be extended to 7.30pm as a new night-skiing zone complete with lighting and music opens. There is also a new Villard 8 person bubble lift.
• Alpe d’Huez: The world’s longest black run, La Sarenne has been upgraded so that it now features 72 new snow-cannons, meaning that it is now guaranteed skiable all season.
• Les Menuires: Celebrating its 50th birthday this winter, there is a new blue piste – Le Bouquetin – from the top of La Masse. Previously only suited to experienced skiers, it will be more accessible.
NEW LIFTS
• Courchevel: Two new 6-man detachable chairlifts will replace the Foret lift and the Aiguille du Fruit/Gravelle lifts. These faster, more comfortable lifts with greater transport capacity will dramatically improve connections.
• Morzine: There are two new detachable chairlifts on the super-Morzine sector, which will speed up skier access. The Séraussaix lift will have a capacity of 2700 people per hour and the Proclou lift a capacity of 3200 people ph. There is also a new Pléney bubble on the Morzine-Les Gets sector. This new 54-cabin 10-man bubble from will move 3000 people per hour from the centre of Morzine up into the ski area.
• Méribel: The new Loze 6-man chairlift cuts the ascent from 11 to 6 minutes and will greatly improve access to the La Tania & Courchevel sector.
• Paradiski: Les Colosses 4 seater chairlift is replaced with an 8 seat, high-speed chair to boost the Plagne-Bellecôte sector. Maximum flow will increase from 2400 to 4400 skiers p/h.
• La Tania: A new 6-man chair with bubble will replace the old 4-man Forêt bubble. Its 6-minute journey will dramatically improve flow in the Praz and La Tania sector. The Loze chair has also been replaced by a faster 4-man chair.
For all the latest ski chalet deals please check our ‘late deals‘ page or contact the Chaletline team.