Lift Passes – good value for money?

For those who like to budget ahead for their holiday, the price of this season’s six day Three Valley lift pass will be 198 Euros (up 16 Euros on last year). Before you groan at the cost, do consider that this pass gives you access to 600km of piste in one of the most efficient and modern lift systems in the world. In fact, in comparison with some of our neighbouring ski areas, the price per kilometre of piste is remarkably good value: the Three Valleys cost 0.33 Euro/km; the new Paradiski (Les Arcs and La Plagne) is more expensive at 0.52 Euros/km; and the Espace Killy (Val d’Isère and Tignes) will set you back 0.60 Euro/km.

For those of us who don’t ski fast or far enough to cover the whole Three Valley area there are numerous cheaper options: a Méribel Valley pass (161 Euros/6 days); or a ‘Méribel Alpina’ pass which covers just the northern part of the valley (29 Euros/day).

Since last season all the Trois Vallées resorts have offered a reduced price family pass. This offers savings of up to 20% on individual passes, and is especially good value for families with teenagers as it covers children up to 18. Chose between a Méribel Valley or Three Valley pass: both cover two adults and two or more children.

Family ski passes can save up to 20%

Other money saving ideas include buying children’s lift passes as part of a ski school package; or just buying half day passes if you like to lie in bed until late (available from 12.30pm)

For total beginners there are a number of free lifts in the valley, and if you really don’t want to fork out for a lift pass, you could always snowshoe or skin up the mountain – skiing back down the pistes is absolutely free. Though after one ascent you may decide 198 Euros really isn’t that expensive after all…

Ed

La Chasse

Contrary to the belief of most of the British field sports fraternity, shooting in France or “la chasse” is not only well organised but also very highly regulated. The idea that “the frogs shoot at anything” is just not true and whilst some of the French regulation is perhaps a little excessive, British shooting would do well to adopt just one or two of the measures in place.

The most significant requirement in France is the “Permis de Chasse” or hunting licence. This is needed to undertake any type of hunting or shooting activity and is issued only after the applicant has completed a course of study covering such issues as game breeding habits and environment, quarry identification, arms and ammunitions and the law. An examination must then be passed and attendance at a one-day safety course is mandatory. The licence must be renewed annually and depends on having obtained suitable third party insurance cover

As a post revolutionary measure, French hunting was democratised and shooting is now generally organised on the basis of municipal associations which retain the right to shoot over all the land contained within the municipality, regardless of who may actually own it. The exception to this is where a block of land exceeding 50 hectares comes under single ownership whereby the landlord can declare his property as a private shoot. This he may retain for his own enjoyment or should he chose, rent the shooting rights to private individuals or even to the local municipal association.

The allocation of game available to shoot is reviewed annually by the Department’s hunting federation in consultation with the forestry authorities, local ecological administrations and the municipal associations and after detailed surveys of the development of the various game species in the area concerned. The allocations are controlled by means of specific dated plastic bracelets which are issued by the federation and must be affixed to the carcasses of anything shot. Furthermore, the Prefect issues an annual decree establishing the periods and days when the various types of game may be hunted or shot all of which is closely policed by the local gendarmes, roving federation inspectors and other locally appointed officials and keepers.

The shooting in the municipality of Les Allues is organised by the local association or “ACCA” (“Association de Chasse Communale Agrée”) whose territory extends from just above Brides les Bains to cover almost the entire Méribel valley. Excluded is the land in the “Parc National de la Vanoise” which is out of bounds. Also, at the head of the valley is the Saut and Gébroulaz glacier which is a private shoot and not available to association members. The area from Mergolaz above Chandon up to the Olympic Express chairlift is, however, kept as the association’s reserve and therefore left un-shot with the result that red deer now come from the neighbouring valleys to mate there and during the rut or “brâmes” in late September and early October, the noise of roaring stags can be clearly heard from the resort across the valley.

Next week Ed Mannix explains how shooting is organised within the Méribel valley.

Bars News

The good news for lovers of après-ski is that Méribel now offers an even better range of bars. New for this winter is ‘Fix’, a British-run bar at the Tremplin building near the Chaudanne. The owners describe its highly original look as ‘ louche, Rococo’. No doubt its glamorous décor, comfortable leather sofas and range of aperitif nibbles will appeal to a sophisticated clientele. Next door, Jack’s Bar, long popular with the young, fun crowd, will benefit from a face-lift.

In the centre of town two recently-opened bars now compete for the quality market. Le Poste with its stylish modern interior, chic armchairs and jazz music has proved extremely popular with French and British alike. Nearby the Barometer, which offers highly civilized table service and cocktails, has proved a similar success with an upmarket clientele since its opening last season.

La Taverne

For those who enjoy traditional, lively bars long-term favourites La Taverne, the Doron Pub and Le Rond Point are all still going strong. If you prefer a quieter place to enjoy your drinks, don’t miss the tiny wine bar Le Saint Amour just above the cinema. Scott’s Bar, below the Pub, now also offers a more laid-back atmosphere (get there early to grab the sofas). Or if you enjoy tapas, seek out ‘le S’ bar on the Route de la Montée that opened half way through last season. Sadly, a favourite British haunt, El Poncho’s Tex Mex restaurant and bar at Méribel 1600 has closed. Its infamous buckets of Margarita will be much missed. Luckily though, ‘Les Enfants Terribles’ just a few doors up and run by the incorrigible ‘Jerome’ is still going strong. This intimate and friendly Champagne bar with its central fireplace is a favourite with saisonaires and visitors alike.

For those with the stamina to carry on until late both Dick’s Tea Bar, (popular with the British) and Le Loft (popular with the French) will entertain you until 4am. It’s hard to believe that a decade ago Méribel had a reputation of a dull nightlife.

Ed

What’s hot and what’s not?

A combination of the hot summer all over Europe, and the cold winter that we all crave for got me thinking about what is hot and what is not in the world of skiing?? I could start with the popular belief that skiing is hot and snowboarding is not but I fear my season would be over before the first tracks are even left on Mont Vallon...!!

Fat skis are definitely hot! This year will see a rise in the number of wide powder and freestyle skis on the hill. Fat skis make light work of fresh snow conditions; the increase in surface area over normal skis helps the ski to ‘float’. Yes the days of plain old piste skiing seem to be but a memory for the hardened skier who confines him/herself to the snow park to hang out in the half pipe throwing back flips and rodeo 5’s or in the off-piste back country sniffing out the finest champagne powder wearing baggy ski pants held up only by a belt round the upper thigh, a bright red hoody and pale contrasting beanie. This is the freestyle ‘look’.

Rear entry boots are definitely not! As a boot fitting specialist, I still find it hard to believe how many people refuse to give up their two sizes too big white Salomon SX 62’s, because they are like “old friends” or “slippers”. The boot fitting ethos is catching up quickly in many resorts, so go out and buy new boots that fit and improve your skiing!! Rear entry boots and carving skis do not go hand in hand because lateral stiffness is required in a boot to initiate a carving turn. Modern three and four clip boots are designed for use on carving skis, and since carving skis are all you can get hold of these days, this makes sense to me. And while you’re at it, ditch your tight fitting salopettes and day glow Nevica jacket with those glasses that have leather attachments to stop snow glare! That is the ‘old school’ look.

One final tip for this season: helmets are hot and injuries are definitely not, so go careful out there whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re wearing and have fun!!

Gary Ward

Contributors:

Ed Mannix runs London Overseas Consultancy, and specialises in advising British property owners in Méribel.

Gary Ward is Technical Retail Manager, Freeride
(www.freeride.fr)

Chris Learoyd is Director of luxury chalet company Alp Leisure Ltd (www.alpleisure.com)

We’re interested in your views. Please e-mail us at yourviews@themeribeltimes.com  

For more information on Méribel see independent website www.merinet.com, and www.meribel.net, the official Tourist Office site

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Kings of the Mountain

If you were to travel up to Meribel at this time of year at about 8 o’clock in the morning a strange phenomena becomes apparent.

Hundreds of white vans fill the road each crammed with carpenters, plasterers, plumbers and any other skilled tradesmen you can imagine and all of them are sporting old ESF or piste patrol jackets. They battle up to Meribel before applying their chosen profession on the fortunate properties that await them.

These white vans then congregate, at 12 pm sharp, around the few restaurants that remain open in the inter season and are later to be seen herding again at 4.59pm gathering for the descent back to the environs of Moutiers and Brides les Bains.

Come the winter this herding instinct seems to repeat itself but with the ESF jacketed pilots driving small Renault 5’s or such like, this time racing for there lives to reach the top by 9.00am, which is presumably when ski-school starts.

“Kings of the Mountains”

Known as “Kings of the Mountain” they work like crazy until the 15th Dec when their new ESF Jackets are donned and they down tools until the following June and the metamorphosis is complete. It is why if you have any work to be done on your flat or chalet it “WILL be finished before the 15th Dec” because quite simply nothing will be done after this date!

So if you find your self driving up or down the mountain in “rush hour” beware, at times the instinct for these “Kings of the Mountains” to herd can be very strong. Alain Prost would be proud!

Chris Learoyd

Get insured, take a Guide.

In edition 3 of The Méribel Times, Francis Petex highlighted the complexities of insurance and medical assistance on the mountain and whilst skiing with him last March I was to find out why it was so important. On a small jaunt off the back of La Masse heading for the Col de Fenêtre which takes you down towards St Martin de Belleville we had walked for 5-10 mins along the ridge before schussing down a short, insignificant slope.

Now understand that this was not ice picks and crampons, more of a light stroll in search of a little powder, nothing scary at all. So when it came to my schuss, not concentrating as hard as I ought, I had a small tumble. Little did I know that the nicely sharpened edge of my ski was going to make a fair effort at slicing my hand off at the wrist! After plenty of claret and a good bout of nausea, thought turned to rescue and this is where a fully qualified Guide comes into there own.

Don’t forget your Guide

Calmly and carefully Francis assessed the wound and at first considered a Helicopter. When he realised that my ski had not reached the artery decided this might not be necessary. The Piste patrol were called and within 10 minutes they had arrived with a ‘blood wagon’ (a stretcher on skis) and were soon blitzing down a couloire back towards Les Menuires with me safely ensconced behind.

The Doctor sent me to hospital (after having a quick dig in the wound) and for some reason I asked if I could be sent to Albertville Hospital. Perhaps it was something to do with having seen quite a few people shipped in and then out of Moutiers Hospital which put me off going there. He said it was fine although it might add something to the bill!

It has to be said that the staff at Albertville were fantastic and my Carte Neige insurance covered everything. I was operated on that evening under local anaesthetic to attach the correct tendons and nerve tissue back together and by June I was making my first (although rather different) golf swing of the summer.

I spoke to Francis some time later and he asked me if I realised how lucky we had been? When I asked why, he explained that five minutes further on and we could have been out of mobile phone range and if I had found my artery with my ski, getting help would have been some what trickier.

“So what would you have done?” I asked

“Oh, I always carry a sewing kit, just in case! Then we would have had to ski for your life”

It all goes to show that you can never be too sure what might happen while having at little schuss and that having a fully qualified Guide des Haut Montagnes and Insurance when you go off piste is essential. My thanks (for my hand and my new swing) go to Francis Petex, the Piste Patrol, and all medical staff, particularly my surgeon Mr Irkiba who all acted with the utmost professionalism and care.

Chris Learoyd