Doesn't it get boring?

This is one of the questions we get asked when we tell people that we ski on average 5 days a week for weeks (and weeks) in the Three valleys area. The answer is of course a resounding "no, not at all"

Every day is different in the snow, the weather guarantees that but we are also spoilt of course by the sheer size of the Three Valleys area. Yes there are runs that we do almost every day, we have our favourite home run down to Meribel Village timed of course to allow time for a hot chocolate from the bakery before the bus arrives. Our home run aside we aim to ski in different areas each day depending on the conditions and weather.

In the Three valleys the other weapon we have against boredom is that every year something is new, a new lift, a new run or a slightly changed run. Improved facilities, better signage, new après activities. It keeps life interesting. So what is in store for Season 2015/16? Well the award for the "most changed area" looks like going to Mottaret where the area directly above the centre is undergoing a huge transformation. Lifts will be removed, a new lift will be installed and runs changed which will hopefully make the area safer and more enjoyable for beginners. We will no doubt miss the lifts which are being removed, it's always sad to see an old faithful like the Table Vert Chair disappear but the changes to the runs look good, take a look for yourself:

 

Video showing changes

Back on line…...

It's been a long time since we posted but normal service has now been resumed. Nothing dramatic just a busy end of the season and an even busier return to non Chalet life.

Over the next few posts we will catch up on what has been happening at Chalet Vache Bleue and news from the Three Valleys and some treats to look forward to next season.

Season 2014-15 was certainly an interesting one. In terms of Chalet Vache Bleue we had over 90% occupancy through the season and welcomed guests from all corners of the world. One of the nicest things about meeting so many people who have skied all over the world is getting the low down on other resorts - especially when they say The Three Valleys and specifically Meribel top them all. 

So what do people like about our slice of heaven? Overall it would have to be the variety of runs and the efficient lift system. Regular visitors also appreciate the improvements which are made every year including re-shaped runs, faster lifts, better facilities (including more on-mountain toilets) and more extensive entertainment programmes.

Last season will not be remembered for an abundance of snow but as usual the superb Piste maintenance team in Meribel made the best of what we had. Many resorts in France had limited skiing available and some were forced to reduce ski pass availability to prevent overcrowding on the few slopes they were able to open. We haven't heard the long range forecast for next season yet but we know that with the altitude, direction of slopes, man made snow making and the great team who work every night in Meribel there will be plenty of snow to slide around on. Why not come and see for yourself?

Snowy walk around our Village January 2015

When 3 really means 4

The Three Valleys is actually four valleys thanks to Orelle being part of the ski area. Often forgotten or perhaps considered too far/difficult to get to this gem of an area tucked away beyond Val Thorens really is worth a visit and is not as had to reach as it may appear from looking at the Piste map. A glorious sunny Saturday morning skiing the area a couple of weeks ago reminded us that Orelle is a great part of the Three Valleys area and well with a visit.

How to get there:
Once in Val Thorens take the Grand Fond Telecabine, at the top exit on the right hand side. A short ski will then bring you to the top of the Rosael Chairlift from where you can take a red piste or a blue piste into the Orelle bowl. Both these runs are long and sweeping, the blue is often less crowded just be careful as it crosses the red piste in several places. 
There is also a black run which can be accessed from the top of the Cime Caron Telepherique. Follow the red piste at the top of the Telepherique and look out for the Combe Rosael turn on your left after the first drop. This run can be beautiful and horrid depending on conditions and once you have committed to it at the top there are no alternatives. If you like your skiing consistently pleasant maybe access via Grand Fond and take a look at the black piste from the other side before committing to it.

Access via the black piste from the top of Caron. Use the access from the top of Fond for a more gentle approach.

How much terrain is there in Orelle?
In terms of marked runs there are a couple of reds and a couple of blues. Not huge and definitely scope for more to be added. In terms of Off Piste Orelle is the start/end point of many routes including the Galcier du Bouchet. The ESF team in Orelle specialise in Off Piste trips and have an office next to the Rosael chairlift.
The recently established highest Zip Line in the world takes off from the top of the Bouchet chairlift in Orelle and ends in at the top of the Funitel de Thorens. Nice easy way back to Val Thorens if you have the stomach for it.

Can't be bothered to ski back all the way? There is always the Zip Line.

What makes Orelle different from Val Thorens?
The most marked difference is there is no accommodation in the bowl itself, the town of Orelle is via a telecabine with no access via marked runs. This gives a feeling of isolation which can be hard to achieve in the other valleys where accommodation buildings can almost always be seen. The bowl can be wind impacted but on a sunny day there is nowhere else quite like it, there is a reason that the sun features on the Orelle logo.

Next time you are over in Val Thorens don't forget about Orelle, definitely a bit different from the neighbours.

Avalanche

Whilst the snow conditions in most of Europe are not currently conducive to off-piste activities we recently witnessed an incident which reminded us of the reality of an avalanche. Making our way to Courchevel on the Chanrossa Chairlift we saw an avalanche triggered by an off-piste skier. Luckily in this case the skier managed to escape by skiing away but the speed and size of the slide resulted in gasps from those on the chairlift who were helpless to do anything.

Whilst all ended happily in this case it did make me think that even if you don't ski off-piste it would be good to know what precautions you can take to protect your safety and that of those around you. This week we attended an Avalanche Training session led by Parallel Lines Ski School which was packed full of useful tips including:

• the essential equipment you should have with you and how to use it
• what to look out for before venturing off piste, how to spot potential danger areas
• how to check that your equipment is working
• how to organise your selves if the worst should happen 

During the session we got a real taste of not only what to do but the reality of how difficult it can be trying to locate a victim in difficult snow conditions. The main take out being we all need to practise so if the worst should happen the we have the confidence and ability to act quickly. We highly recommend taking professional advice such as the sessions which Parallel Lines run and making use of the transceiver and search practice areas the Lift Company have established.

Appreciating how close to the snow you need to be to pinpoint the location of the victim

Learning how to use the transceiver

Success - victim (backpack) located

Busy Bees

At this time of year there is an air of "busy busy busy" throughout Meribel. Chalets are being completed, shelves are being stocked, snow tyres being fitted. At Chalet Vache Bleue we always try to allow a few weeks pre-season not just to open up the Chalet but to add and improve where we can. It all adds up to being busy which made me think about Bees.

Bee keeping is becoming very popular in Australia especially in the cities where rooftop Hives are appearing.We buy Honey in Brisbane from a local who explained to us that as land is taken up for development there is less room for Bees so these Hives appearing in the City are helping to keep Bees alive - and producing Honey of course. It all makes sense to me, warm weather, plentiful sunshine and a great product at the end, what I am surprised about is Bee keeping in and around Meribel.

I have always associated Bees with warm weather and to be honest thought that the Hives we see around the Villages would be out of use for the winter. Apparently not, the Bees are largely unaffected by the cold. Wet damp weather they do not like but cold and snowy - no problem at all. As we ski past the Hives on our way home to Chalet Vache Bleue I have a new appreciation for the many creatures great and small who share this space with us.

Bee Hives in the snow

I hope they have at least a little bit of insulation as the temperature drops. This morning it is minus 3 in the Village, maybe that's why Bees like to keep busy, it's a keeping warm strategy.

What to expect this season

Since the last post snow has fallen in Meribel including a light covering down at Les Allues. At this time of year the ground is still quite warm so it melts quickly but no doubt as the temperature drops more snow will be on the way.

Unlike many ski areas Meribel invests an enormous amount of € in developing the area which of course includes new ski lifts and changes to Pistes. Here is a round up of some of the changes you can look forward to this season.

One of the changes that will impact us - in a good way almost every day -  is the upgrade of the Loze Chair to a 6 seater detachable model. This will see us being whisked to the top in just 6 minutes. This improvement is not just about getting to the top quicker to get in more ski time, as anyone who is a regular user of the chair will know the slow journey could be a very, very cold experience indeed. Using the free ski bus from Les Allues alighting at Meribel Village and using the altiport to access the Loze chair is a fast, queue free, scenic way to get to the Courchevel Valley so this is a great improvement.

The view from the Loze chair will be going past a bit faster this season.

On the other side of the Meribel Valley the Roc de Fer piste which will be used for the World Cup in March has been re-shaped and will be open prior to the World Cup to give everyone an idea of how it feels to ski a World Cup run. Also on the same side but a little further around a shortcut which we had long used to get safely into Mottaret has become an official piste with the help of a little re-shaping. It has been previously marked with a "Easy Way Down" sign which was true in that the slope is not severe and it is much quieter than the alternative however it did involve a far bit of strenuous ski pole use. Lets hope the re-shaping has solved this problem.

Over in Courchevel the purse has been opened with a considerable amount of money spent resulting in a few new lifts to look forward to. These include the Aiguille du Fruit chair which replaces 2 chairlifts, the increased speed will make the journey back from 1650 faster. We haven't seen a piste map yet but early indications from where the pylons were being built last season indicate that the chair will end somewhere between the two old lifts which may mean the loss of a sneaky way onto Suisse piste. We will have to wait and see how it all works in December.

It will be the "end of an era" sort of moment in Le Praz with the smallest bubble lift in the area - the Fôret bubble - being replaced by a faster 6 seater chair lift.  The Foret was very cute looking but cramped, slow and always difficult to get fat skis inside the ski rack.

Skiing down to where the new Aiguille de Fruit chairlift will depart from

Over in the Val Thorens Valley the Plan de l’Eau chairlift has been upgraded which is a bit of sad news in a way as the area it served was always quiet and offered a great range of pistes. Now it has a faster chair it may become more popular but maybe we shouldn't be so selfish. The new chair will take skiers a little higher so it's not all bad news! The popular Portette chair has also been upgraded which will remove some of the queues which formed there in busy periods.
 

Now all we have to do is wait until the snow falls and the lifts open in December.