French Riviera Mountain - Ski Resorts PRESS KIT Alpes-Maritimes - Winter 2011-2012 ABBREVIATIONS Motorway Dual carriageway Major roads Minor roads Tourist itinerary Borders Railway Station Tourist resort Ski resort Alpine skiing Cross-country skiing Snowpark MAP p. 4 Ski resorts in the Alpes-Maritimes, key figures, trends, investment, the challenges… p. 6 Key figures p. 7 Trends p. 8 Major investments p. 9 Challenges in the development of the ski resorts in Alpes-Maritimes p. 10 The press: we like what the journalists have written p. 11 A wealth of young champions p. 13 Events - winter 2011-2012 SUMMARY p. 16 Ski resorts in the Alpes-Maritimes, every one different! p. 18 Good holidays start with good ideas p. 18 Internet, gateway to the resorts p. 19 Isola 2000 p. 22 Auron p. 24 Saint-Dalmas-Le-Selvage p. 25 Valberg p. 27 Beuil-Les-Launes p. 27 Val Pelens - Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes p. 27 Estenc-Entraunes p. 28 La Colmiane-Valdeblore p. 29 Le Boréon (Saint-Martin-Vésubie) p. 31 Roubion-Les-Buisses p. 33 Turini-Camp d’Argent p. 33 Peïra-Cava p. 34 Castérino - Tende p. 35 Gréolières-Les-Neiges p. 36 L’Audibergue-La Moulière p. 38 Handiski p. 39 Practical Information SUMMARY 2 3 SKI RESORTS IN THE ALPES-MARITIMES KEY FIGURES – TRENDS – INVESTMENT... THE CHALLENGES 4 5 The Alpes-Maritimes ski resorts will be open from the beginning of December 2011 to mid-April 2012. This Department (c.f. English county), with its 15 resorts including 3 international ones (Isola 2000 – Auron and Valberg), pays special attention to the development of its mountain areas so as to ensure rapid access, top-quality skiing and the provision of other activities for non- skiing snow lovers. Isola 2000 News 2011/2012 Auron Isola 2000 will celebrate its 40th birthday and the Mayor of Nice Valberg may announce the candidature of the capital of the French Riviera for the 2022 Winter Olympics. La Colmiane-Valdeblore As for the resorts, they continue their development Gréolières-Les-Neiges programmes, particularly in the skiing areas. Professionals L’Audibergue specializing in mountain tourism aim to provide top-quality services so that mountain sports – from skiing to walking and Beuil-Les-Launes all non-skiing activities – can take place in the best conditions. Le Boréon Skiing for pleasure and skiing for everyone for successful Roubion holidays and amazing scenery from the sea to the mountains! This is what the Alpes-Maritimes can offer. Castérino Saint-Dalmas-Le-Selvage Val Pelens Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes Estenc-Entraunes Turini-Camp d’Argent www.frenchriviera-mountain.com Peïra-Cava > Guaranteed snow in the major resorts: KEY FIGURES • 80% over the whole of Isola 2000 ski area [ • 85% in the Valberg ski area • 40% at Auron > Short journeys. Under 3 hrs 30 min from Paris to > Exceptionally sunny: over 300 days per year (over 1500 m the slopes! above sea level) 1 hr 20 min by air from Paris to Nice 80% of the total surface of the Alpes-Maritimes department Then 1 hr 30 min by car or bus is mountainous > 465 summits over 2000 m high, including 6 over 3000 m > 15 ski resorts and every one different • Le Gélas – Vésubie 3 resorts ranked SKI FRANCE • Le Clapier – Vésubie • Le Ténibre – Haute-Tinée > 168 million Euros invested in the resorts by the Alpes- • Le Corborant – Haute-Tinée Maritimes “Conseil Général” (c.f. English County Council) • Le Cimet – Haut-Var • Le Pelat – Haut-Var > 700 kilometres of ski-runs (accessible for ski touring by experienced skiers) Alpine skiing: 232 ski-runs over 481 km Cross-country skiing: 35 ski-runs over 199 km > Accommodation capacity in the resorts: more than 8,804 96 ski lifts beds in 242 establishments More than 2,565,000 nights’ booked in the snow-covered area > More than 600,000 m³ of hillside dams (for producing in 2009/2010 organic snow – water, cold and air, no additives) to guarantee 600,000 visitors per year in the mountains snow from December to April. > Isola 2000: the snowiest resort in 2009 and 2010 > Continual improvements to the ski lifts www.frenchriviera-mountain.com “FAMILLE PLUS MONTAGNE” LABEL TRENDS (FAMILY + MOUNTAIN) “Famille Plus Montagne” is the one and only national label relating to the reception of families with SKI PASSES: children and the services offered them in French tourist districts. It is recognized ADVANCED PURCHASES AND HANDS-FREE! by the Ministry of State for Tourism. Its Resorts in the Alpes-Maritimes have opted to sell ski lift aim is to do everything possible to meet passes on-line, so saving holiday makers a great deal of time. the needs of families with children over 18 They are also promoting hands-free ski passes. months staying in mountain resorts by improving facilities and services in the resorts as well as identifying them more clearly. Worth knowing. At Valberg, child-care provision is made for NEW IN AURON & ISOLA 2000! children from 3 months old! What do “Famille Plus Montagne” resorts offer? Everything! The undertakings of “Famille Plus Montagne” accredited resorts are summarized in a 6-point charter: - Customized reception for families - Activities suited to different ages - Tailored rates - from the youngest to the oldest - Activities for children and adults to take part in together or separately - A local medical service - Children carefully looked after by professionals Valberg has already been using hands-free passes for several years. MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES . ESCAPE AND THRILLS! Adults are always looking for new adventures. That’s why the Alpes-Maritimes organize more and more activities which will appeal to adults seeking something different in the mountains: → The Mercantour resorts (Auron and Isola • Speed flying • Paraskiing 2000) have on-line flash sales (50% reduction) • Initiation into Laser Biathlon • AirBoard every Tuesday. • Night in an Igloo • Snakegliss • Ski joëring • Ice Falls → Valberg has a card “Carte Pass VIP” for • Sled Dogs • Ski bikes accumulating snow miles. • Ruissling (walking up frozen streams) th day - • Snowshoeing • Snowscoot → Gréolières-Les-Neiges and L’Audibergue offer a loyalty card “Ma carte Ski Azur”. With it, the 11 And not forgetting motorized sports –snowmobile outings, ice pass or half-day pass is free. racing, snow quads... N.B. Passes are also on sale at the “Maison du Throughout the department, more and more space is being Département et de la Montagne” in Nice, showcase given to snowshoeing, which has the advantage of being a for winter tourism on the French Riviera. gentle sport, open to everybody and giving opportunities to explore nature and wildlife, with or without a guide. SKI LIFTS: QUICKER ACCOMMODATION AND MORE COMFORTABLE! All the economic players in the Department are involved in This year, ski lifts have been improved by the acquisition of new classifying existing accommodation and are working to ensure equipment such as detachable chairlifts with up to 6 places, that structures likely to invest in the High-Mountain areas are and cable cars so as to make the best use of the ski area (more attractive. runs served by fewer ski lifts and greater comfort for skiers). Today, a great deal of work is being done on describing and extending charters (“Qualité tourisme”, “Famille +”, eco- FAMILIES FIRST! friendly labels, “Gîtes de France”…). Children, who are bursting with energy, shouldn’t be left out on family holidays. French mountain resorts organize special activities for children of all ages. Great attention is paid to safety, and activities are led by mountain professionals. Following on from educational areas devoted to the very young (Piou Piou clubs), French ski schools have developed the “Kids Park”, intended to teach young skiers "freestyle" in suitable, safe conditions. www.frenchriviera-mountain.com SKI RESORTS IN THE ALPES-MARITIMES 6 7 MAJOR INVESTMENTS The Alpes-Maritimes “Conseil Général” plays an important role in the development of the department’s ski resorts for many reasons: maintaining employment in the mountain districts; preserving the complementary nature of economic activity between the coast and the hinterland, which contributes to the harmony and cohesion of the area; the need to establish durable conditions for the development and operation of ski areas in the various resorts. Nearly 168 million Euros have been invested in order to provide greatly improved equipment in the department’s resorts. 5 joint associations have been set up, grouping together 7 resorts: Gréolières and L’Audibergue, La Colmiane, Mercantour (Auron, Isola 2000), Roubion and Valberg, 90% financed by the ‘Conseil Général’. The extent and quality of improvements carried out in the ski areas, especially as far as ski lifts and snow making are concerned (44 million Euros invested since 2004 to guarantee snow coverage), make up for lack of snow and the resorts are now able to attract an international clientele. In 2011: investments in the pipeline total €18.5 M and the Alpes- Maritimes “Conseil General” has contributed €12.7 M to the joint associations. Works carried out in 2010: > Acquisition of a chairlift for “La Colmiane” (Génisserie Isola 2000) > Bringing up to standard the ski lifts at Isola 2000, Auron, Gréolières-Les-Neiges, L’Audibergue and Valberg > Purchasing equipment for ski runs, refurbishing runs and signposting in all the resorts > Acquisition of a piste-basher at L’Audibergue, Isola 2000 and Valberg > Completion of the construction of the chairlift from Valette to Isola 2000 > Completion of the construction of the hillside dam for covering the Demandols sector with snow > Facelift for the runs at the “Sommet