What's new in 2009

* More improvements and better comfort
Construction of a detachable six person Roc Mugnier chairlift to improve the link between Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650 and to emphasize the quality of the skiing in Courchvevel 1650. This lift will replace the fixed chairlifts of Praméruel and Roc Mugnier - The Combe drag lift may be replaced eventually if they extend a new chair from here up to the Signal area - The new Roc Mugnier lift is the latest to be equipped with the Magnestick child safety system. A very simple idea, children wear special bibs that are magnetic, working in combination with the Magnestick system installed on the chairlift. Once loaded on, the system holds the child safely in place so they can't slip off, before releasing them to get off the chair. The system has been installed by lift construction company Doppelmayr and the total Roc Mugnier chairlift project has cost a cool five million euros. The Magnestick was previously only available to children on ESF group lessons, but this year you'll be able to buy and rent the bibs from ski gear shops all over resort.

In Les Menuires a new 6 man chair is going in near to Bruyeres this replaces the old Reberty and Etele chairs. This should allow another quick way out of the valley giving a link to the Beca chair and over towards Mottaret.

The slow Golf chair up from Méribel Village is being replaced by a high speed 4-man detachable chair.

From this season The Magnestick safety device to "stick" kids to chairlifts will be available to hire by any guest.

* More variety and entertainment
Creation of a Family Park under the Verdons gondola. The Plantrey Snow Park is being moved to the Dunes and Canyons zone underneath the Verdons gondola so as to create a larger entertainment area, which will be both more varied and visible. The idea of the project (to be completed over several years), is to better exploit the space between the Verdons and Renards pistes by regrouping complementary activities such as : hoops, boarder, jumps, Avalanche Camp, and other entertainment ideas.

* More accessibility
The extension of the Cospillot draglift so as to make access from more (very expensive) chalets along this picture post card run down to 1550. Because Courchevel is, and always will be, a real ski in ski out resort.

*More liftpass freedom
Creation of a 3 hour lift pass valid for the Courchevel 1650 or Vallée de Courchevel ski areas. The 3 consecutive hours are activated the first time the skier goes throught a turnstile. This pass will answer the demand of skiers who want to ski when they like without being restricted to the 1/2 day pass times.
The 1/2 day morning pass, no longer serving any purpose, will be discontinued except for the 3 Vallées ski area. The 1/2 day afternoon pass (from 12h30) will be maintained.

The integration of Courchevel 1650 into the Minipass. Apart from the free Mickey and Belvédère draglifts, clients in Courchevel 1650 could not benefit from the Minipass. From next season, the Minipass will include the Ariondaz gondola and Petite Bosse draglift.

Piste work in the Courchevel area
It appears that some work is taking place across from the top of the Verdons Gondola which looks like a new piste is being created to allow access to the Pralong area without the need to use the Biollay Chair.

There is piste work taking place on the return piste Murette to Le Praz there are snow cannons being installed and an easier route down to the village looks likely.

There have been improvements made to Les Arolles Piste. This blue from the top of the mountain down toward the gondola station has been widened and re-shaped to make it less challenging to beginners.

>> development in 2008