Development in 2008

Trois Vallee Linking
The link from Saulire to Méribel has been widened with cannons going in all the way down Biche resulting in yet another fully snow cannoned three valleys link.

Morning Only Passes for the Three Valleys are now available this season.
Valid until 12.30pm throughout the Trois Vallées ski area, this pass will be perfect for those who like to ski early then stop for a long lunch on the slopes, or for skiing in spring when the best snow is to be found early on. The half day pass will cost €36.50 compared with €45 for a full day.

Big Air
For those who like to get airbourne, a new Big Air Bag has been installed at the foot of the pistes in Courchevel 1850, allowing you to practice freestyle moves with a guaranteed audience and safe landing.

Directions
New signs at the top of the Saulire will help you choose your route down more easily.

Mini Jump at 1300
Work on a new smaller ski jump next to the Olympic jump in Le Praz.

New bus to Meribel
A new bus service is to be laid on this winter from La Tania to Méribel’s la Chaudanne. The free buses will allow la Tania holidaymakers to use Méribel’s extensive shopping and sporting facilities, and cross-country skiers to avoid the long uphill return to Méribel. There will be four round trips per day.

More cannon installation
The Murettes piste down into Le Praz has had snow cannon piping laid which will making for an alternative run down when the snow cover is poor. This will also have a knock on and beneficial effect on the Jockey's run from the top of La Tania - already very popular in heavy snow conditions - because it will be skiable to the bottom for more of the season.

Mini Jump at 1300
Work on a new smaller ski jump next to the Olympic jump in Le Praz.

Improved safety
There's an ongoing expansion of the 'Magnestick' kids safety devices that are being fitted to more chair lifts including the Dou Des Lanches four-man chair above La Tania. The kids wear a brightly covered backpack which has a magnet in it that "sticks" kids to the chair until it's time to get off.

A new piste in the Courchevel valley, from the top of Pralong & Biollay chairs straight down to the Suisse chair. The new piste follows a similar route to the old Super Pralong drag lift and was a popular easy off piste run.

La Tania gets new cannons
Snow cannons are being installed above La Tania to enhance the snow cover on runs back down to resort. The new cannons are on the top section of the Bouc Blanc and the Arolles Boulevard. Since the Folyeres cannons went in below the top Gondola station back in 2001 the resort runs have been open from the first to the last days of the season.

New Driving Regulation
From the 1st July 2008, it will become French law that drivers must carry a warning triangle and a high-visibility security vest.
The changes, proposed in February 2007 are intended to make stopping in cases of emergency, breakdown or accident safer for all road users. The law will also apply for people driving in France in UK registered cars or hire cars.
The change in the law doesn't affect motorbikers, however, as of the 1st September 2008, anyone riding a bike outside of built up areas, must wear a high visibility vest at night, or during the day in the case of bad weather. Failure to comply can lead to a 135 euro fine!

UPDATE : Because all car part and DIY shops are out of stock of triangles and vests, the authorities have decided that the new regulations still become law from 1st July 2008, however until the 1st October 2008 if you're stopped you will receive only a verbal warning. After the 1st October 2008 the fine will be enforced.

New Aquatic Complex for Courchevel
Construction work is scheduled to start in August on a new complex that will be open winter and summer. The resort’s plan for the Grandes Combes site is reported to be both ambitious and innovative. The complex will feature a swimming pool, indoor sports complex with a large hall, additional outdoor sports areas, conference area, media library, restaurants, shops and parking areas.

Added security:
New MAGNESTICK system (for children safety on the chairlits) on the Signal and the Dou des Lanches lifts.

More information:
New signage at the top of La Saulire to help you find your way and make sensible decision,
Improvements to the reception area at the Aid Points at La Saulire and Chenus.

More snow
New network of man made snow for the following pistes : Combe de la Saulire, Bouc Blanc, Arolles.
The Méribel-Mottaret Courchevel 1850 link will therefore be assured.
Optimisation of the man made snow network with the installation of rapid reaction (which allows to production to start more rapidly once conditions are suitable).

New lift pass
Introduction of the 3 Vallées morning lift pass (from opening until 12.30pm)

New Tourist Office for Courchevel 1550:
After a public meeting the Mairie has announced the redevelopment of the tourist office in the centre of the resort. The building will house the Tourist Office and the ESF ski school. A new mall area area will be used for a left luggage service, a covered waiting area for bus and coach passengers and a self-service ticket machine. It is hoped the new building will be completed in time for the 2008/2009 winter season.

Lift Pass Prices for 2008-09 announced:
Six day adult Courchevel pass €182 and Three Valleys €225. Three Valleys season pass €970.

‘La Potiniere’ hotel/restaurant/bar, located in the centre of Courchevel 1850, was closed demolished on the 28th April. The hotel, first built in the 1960s by the Rochaix family, was raised to the ground to make way for a four star hotel with twenty two suites and a penthouse apartment that has already been sold.

New Snow Cannon Reservoir in 1650 and a water processing plant nr Courchevel 1850 altiport.
A huge new snow cannon reservoir has been constructed above Courchevel 1650, (between the arrival points of the Signal and Roc Mugnier chairlifts at 2200m). There are now new Gazex avalanche control machines and upgraded snow cannons. Water will be piped up from the Rosiere lake at 1500m to the new Ariondaz reservoir at 2500m, where it will be retained and and subsequently piped to the Biolley lake at 2000m when required. The high altitude will allow the water to cool naturally, allowing better quality cultured snow to be produced, and by stocking such a large quantity of water, snow can be created whenever weather conditions allow. The reservoir will also increase the quantity of drinking water available to the resort.

Statistics on the reservoir:
Volume of the reservoir at l’Ariondaz: 125,500 m3.
Water supply: 900,000 m3/year
Length of the pipes involved: 8,000m.
Total cost of the investment: €7m