Winter 2017 - 2018

WINTER 2017 - 2018

Press pack

#savoiemontblanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com PRESS PACK

Winter 2017-2018

1. SAVOIE MONT BLANC page 3

2. NEW ACCOMMODATION page 4

3. NEW RESTAURANTS page 7

4. ON THE SLOPES AND OFF THE SLOPES page 10

5. ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY page 12

6. EVENTS page 13

7. SKIING IN THE SPRING page 15

8. LINKED AREA AND MAP page 16

ARMAILLIS—LES SAISIES © ANTHONY COTTAREL

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Savoie Mont Blanc is the world’s premier destination for winter sports.

CHIC.COM The area covers two thirds of the Alps and includes 112 ski resorts, which

Chic.com is a new are all easy to access by plane (airports include Chambéry, Grenoble, Lyon website that allows and Geneva), train or car. skiers to hire ski clothes – trousers + jacket + goggles + gloves – online, then delivers them Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc airport, located in the heart of the French Alps, is well to you in resort. connected to the UK. BA flies from London City, London Stansted and, new for this winter, Manchester. FlyBe flies from Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Manchester and Southampton. Chic.com has a choice of five styles www.chambery-airport.com for men and women, as well as one style for children aged from 8 to 16. Clothes are by the brands Salomon, SAVOIE MONT BLANC IN NUMBERS Fusalp, Poive Blanc, Quiksilver and Roxy for the adults, and Quiksilver • 112 ski resorts and Roxy for the children. Goggles • 18 linked ski areas and gloves are by Reusch and Bollé. • A ski area covering 566km², or 55% of the total French ski area

Order online and your pack will be • 74 Nordic skiing centres delivered directly to your accommo- • 9,505 ski instructors (ESF) dation on the Saturday of your arrival • In winter, 33% of the clientele is non-French (2015-2016) - and will be collected the following • 24 ski resorts have the «Famille Plus Montagne» label Friday. This brand new service is available in five resorts of Savoie Mont Blanc: Brides-les-Bains, Méribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and La Plagne.

It costs from €99.90 per week for adults and €79.90 per week for children.

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New accommodation

NEW OPENINGS

˃ Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is opening ˃ K2 Collections is opening a new hotel in its first hotel in a European ski resort and the Courchevel, the K2 Djola (Djola means little prestigious group has chosen the pretty resort brother in Tibetan). Inspired by the success of Megève. Located on the Mont d’Arbois of the K2 Altitude and the K2 Palace, the K2 slopes, Four Seasons Hotel Megève includes 55 Djola is a luxurious gem in the centre of chic and contemporary rooms and suites, a spa Courchevel, with 24 cosy bedrooms. with six treatment rooms and an indoor- www.lek2djola.com outdoor pool as well as a fitness centre. There are five options for drinks and dining open to ˃ A new Club Med is opening in the pictu- guests and non-residents, including a new resque and family-friendly resort of Sa- H036 - LES MENUIRES ©H036 home for Le 1920, Megève’s Michelin-two-star moëns, with 420 rooms and two restau- restaurant. rants. The main restaurant has four corners: www.fourseasons.com/megeve a family corner, a baby corner, a wine corner and a healthy food corner. The Gourmet

Lounge is a gastronomic restaurant with ˃ HO36 Les Ménuires is a new type of accom- menus created by the Michelin-starred chef modation, a mixed between a hotel and a Edouard Loubet. guest house. Located at the bottom of the The Club Med Samoëns Morillon Grand Mas- slopes, in the centre of the resort, HO36 will sif offers childcare for babies from four mon- have 35 bedrooms and five lofts that can sleep ths old to teenagers aged 17. from one to eight people. It will also include a

bar and a restaurant with a fun and friendly ˃ The Hyatt Group is also opening its first atmosphere. ©CLUB MED SAMOENS MORILLON GRAND MASSIF mountain hotel. A Hyatt Centric (four-star) With prices starting from €35 per night per will open in La Rosière, at the foot of the San person, HO36 Les Menuires offers a unique Bernardo ski area. It will have 71 bedrooms, and affordable accommodation in the 3 Val- a bar called H40 Bistro Bar, and a fashio- lées. It will open on 15 December 2017. nable all-day dining restaurant, La Tavola, www.ho36hostels.com open for both guests and non-residents. www.larosierehotel.com

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HOTEL RENOVATIONS

˃ Assas Hotels, owner of the Héliopic Sweet ˃ Also in Val d’Isère, the four-star hotel Or- and Spa and the Rocky Pop in Chamonix-Mont- melune has created an additional floor with SPEND A NIGHT Blanc, has bought the Araucaria Hotel & Spa in ten new bedrooms. La Plagne Centre. The building has been com- https://ormelune.com/en/ IN A MOUNTAIN HUT pletely renovated and extended by an extra ˃ Les Cimes Blanches in Courchevel has After two years of work Le Refuge 1,000m2 to create some new spaces, including become the four-star Fahrenheit Seven hotel. du Lac du Lou opens a new a cocktail bar, an auditorium and a children’s Located in Courchevel Moriond 1650, this ski- building with four dormitories play area. The hotel boasts 84 chic bedrooms (sleeping a total of 31 people) in, ski-out hotel has 44 bedrooms decorated in decorated with a sense of fun, a Nuxe spa and and a large dining room. Situated a vintage and cosy style. Guests (and non- a restaurant. at 2,300m in the Belleville Valley, residents) can enjoy lunch at La Rotisserie or www.araucaria-hotel.com between Val Thorens and Les on the terrace. In the evening, Le Panoramik

Menuires, this mountain hut is has a lively atmosphere and serves different accessible by off-piste skiing from ˃ The three-star hotel L’Avancher, in Val types of fondues and other specialties. the ski area or on snowshoes. The d’Isère, has been completely rebuilt in a cosy http://fahrenheitseven-courchevel.com Belleville Valley council has and warm style. It has 37 bedrooms, a wine invested €1.2 million in this large bar, a lounge with a fire place and a spa. The ˃ In Courchevel Le Praz, the family who has project in order to provide hikers hotel also includes three apartments, which owned the four-star hotel Les Peupliers for 80 and skiers with a new welcoming are ideal for families. years continues to improve the building. This haven above Lac du Lou. There is winter, four new junior suites will open and a guardian on site to welcome skiers and hikers and provide a four bedrooms have been refurbished. hearty meal. www.lespeupliers.com Les Belleville Guides Office ˃ Hotel La Maison Blanche in Saint-Gervais +33 (0)4 79 06 09 51 Mont-Blanc has become Le Coeur des Neiges. [email protected] This three-star hotel is the perfect place for a

romantic weekend. The 12 bedrooms are beautifully decorated and have comfy Swedish beds as well as a large choice of pillows. A delicious breakfast of organic products is served until 11am, in bed or in the breakfast room. In the evening, guests can enjoy cock- tails, wine and tapas. Le Coeur des Neige also has a small spa.

FAHRENHEIT SEVEN HOTEL - COURCHEVEL ©FAHRENHEIT SEVEN HOTEL www.coeurdesneiges.fr

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NEW RESIDENCES :

˃ Val Thorens has a new five-star residence ˃ Another 41 apartments will open in with 17 south-facing hotel-serviced apart- Edenarc at Arc 1800 in the residence Les 2 ments boasting views over the slopes. With a Monarques, as well as a 200m spa with an contemporary chalet atmosphere and a spa indoor-outdoor pool, four treatment rooms, with a pool, sauna, steam room and treatment a steam room, a sauna and a hot tub. https://en.lesarcs.com rooms, the Montana Lodge shares Val Tho- rens’ relaxed luxury ethos. ˃ Two new residences are opening in the This new residence is perfect for families; it Eucherts area in La Rosière. Chalet Grivola is has direct access from the ski room to the a four-star residence with eight spacious slopes and the meeting points for ski lessons apartments, a sauna and a fitness room. and the French Ski School Pioupiou Club are Hameau de Barthélemy is a luxury chalet located opposite. with 20 apartments and a wellness area. www.village-montana.com www.larosiere.net

˃ At the bottom of the Pleney slopes in Morzine-Avoriaz, Le Chalet Joux Plane has two buildings with 20 apartments. It also boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness room and a cinema. http://en.morzine-avoriaz.com

NEW CHALET :

˃Ex pro-skier and rally driver Guerlain Chicherit is opening three new luxury chalets in Tignes, including Chalet Bansky, featuring art from the famous graffiti artist. Chicherit now has five luxury chalets, each of them with their own theme and original décor. www.gc-kollection.com TIGNES - GUERLAIN CHICHERIT KOLLECTION © ANDYPARANT.

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New restaurants

˃ New for winter 2017/18, Club Med will Table de Jeanne will transport guests to the serve food all day: breakfast is available until past with its traditional ‘grand-ma’ cuisine. late morning, gourmet picnics can be ordered, The menu will include local dishes, such as and delicious afternoon snacks can be enjoyed matefaim – mountain ham and polenta with after skiing. The evening starts with wine and chestnut. local tapas, which is followed by dinners of With his son Clément, who has worked with mountain specialities. In Valmorel and at the prestigious chefs including the Meilleurs A BRITISH CHEF IN new Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Moril- family at La Bouitte, he is creating a gastro- PLAGNE-MONTALBERT lon, the restaurants are divided into several nomic restaurant, Ursus, for up to 45 areas – of international cuisine, local speciali- people. Ursus will replace Table en Mon- British Chef Phil Howard, famous ties and healthy food – and the menu is tagne at the hotel Les Suites du Nevada in for his two-Michelin-star restaurant the Square in Mayfair, is created by two-Michelin star chef Édouard Tignes. In an unusual room planted with 200 going to open a restaurant in Loubet. trees they will serve traditional dishes with a Plagne-Montalbert. He loves the modern twist. resort and has been holidaying ˃ The new Four Seasons Hotel in Megève has there for many years. five restaurants, including Le 1920, which has two-Michelin stars. Le 1920 has been rehomed in the hotel and enhanced with a sushi bar.

˃ Michelin-star chef Jean-Michel Bouvier, the owner of several restaurants in Tignes – including the successful Panoramic – is opening a new panoramic restaurant in Plagne -Montalbert, the 360. Accessible to skiers and pedestrians (by gondola), the 360 has two distinct spaces, both 100% glassed for diners to enjoy the views. One space is a self-service; the other is a cosy restaurant with a menu based on local produce. He is also transforming the Chalet Bouvier in CHEFS BOUVIERS—TIGNES ©S. COUCHET Tignes Val-Claret into Table de Jeanne.

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˃ In Les Gets, pastry chef Sandra Balagna and ˃ Built in 1880 to accommodate mountaineers Philippe Rigollot, world champion chef Alexandre Balagna have combined their and travellers who came to see the Mer de in pastry making, is opening a passions to create l’As des Neiges, a Glace, the legendary Hotel du Montenvers second shop in Annecy. La Rose gastronomic bistro and Le Comptoir, where reopened in July 2017 after months of work by de Neiges is the place to stop to people can share platters, pizzas and fresh the Maisons & Hotels Sibuet group. Renamed fill up on cakes and chocolates. pasta in a friendly atmosphere. Terminal Neige-Refuge du Montenvers, the http://philipperigollot.com hotel has been modernised while keeping its ˃ Go Vino is another new restaurant in Les Food piste-basher: in the identity and soul. It has three restaurants, which mountains, food trucks are food Gets who will seduce the adepts of the all in will be open all winter: Le Panoramic Mer de piste-bashers! There is one in one. It is a wine and tapas bar as well as a Glace, le Bar des glaciers and the restaurant Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc and one bistro grill. On top of a long wine list, Montenvers. at La Folie Douce in Val Thorens, Go Vino has a large selection of beers and http://refuge.terminal-neige.com which serves burgers, including whiskies. veggie burgers and premium hot ˃ Michelin star chef Laurent Peugeot has tea- dogs. ˃ Gusto is a new Italian bistro in Val Thorens, med up with La Table des Armaillis in Les Saisies housed in the restaurant where Jean Sulpice to create a refined restaurant with a earned his two Michelin stars before he menu based on products from the Beaufortain. moved to Annecy to take over the Auberge The restaurant can serve up to 50 people in du Père Bise. Gusto will have a varied menu different spaces – private and exclusive or with some classic Italian dishes as well as around a large sharing table – and it also has a some lesser known ones. In the evening, it is wine bar. La Table des Armaillis will also include the perfect place for aperitivo – share some a deli and take-away services. bocconcini fritti, some bresaola and some http://refuge.terminal-neige.com other Italian delicacies with a glass of wine,

either at the bar or at one of the high tables. The five-star hotel Coeur du Vil- ˃ L’Alpage, a restaurant famous among locals in lage in La Clusaz organises 45- ˃ The restaurant of the five-star hotel Aman Arêches-Beaufort, is reopening after a complete minute cooking classes for chil- make-over. It will serve generous portions of dren from 4 years old. Dressed Le Mélézin in Courchevel, the only hotel of like a pastry chef, the little ones the Aman group in a ski resort, becomes Na- traditional comfort food to skiers and snow- will prepare sweet treats before ma. Nama, which means raw in Japanese, will shoers. eating them. serve an authentic and refined Japanese www.hotel-aucoeurduvillage.fr cuisine, with highlights including sashimi,

Opinel, the unique pocket knife sushi and grilled Wagyu beef. made in Savoie, now has its own shop in Annecy. www.opinel.com

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51 MICHELIN STARS The 2017 Michelin guide has awarded new stars in Savoie Mont Blanc: Le 1947 (Courchevel) has earned a 3rd star, Le Kintessence (Courchevel) and Le Mont- gomerie (Courchevel) have received a second star, La Maison des Bois (Manigod) recie- ved 2 stars and Les Explorateurs in Val Thorens has been awarded its first star. Savoie Mont Blanc now has 32 restaurants and starred chef, with a total of 51 stars!

THREE STARS ONE STAR

˃ Flocons de Sel (Megève) ˃ Les Explorateurs (Val Thorens) Chef Emmanuel Renaut Chef Josselin Jeanblanc ˃ La Bouitte (Saint-Martin-de-Belleville) ˃ Raphaël Vionnet (Thonon-les-Bains) Chefs René and Maxime Meilleur Chef Raphaël Vionnet ˃ Le 1947 - Hôtel Cheval Blanc (Courchevel) ˃ Le Refuge des Gourmets (Machilly) Chef Yannick Alléno Chefs Jean-Marie and Hubert Chanôve ˃ Le Clocher des Pères (St-Martin-sur-la Chambre) TWO STARS Chef Pierre Troccaz ˃ L’Esquisse (Annecy) ˃ Le 1920 (Megève) Chef Stéphane Dattrino Chef Julien Gatillon ˃ La Ciboulette (Annecy) ˃ Le Clos des Sens (Annecy-le-Vieux) Chef Georges Paccard Chef Laurent Petit ˃ Auberge Lamartine (Le Bourget-du-Lac) ˃ Yoann Conte (Annecy/Veyrier-du-Lac) Chef Pierre Marin Chef Yoann Conte ˃ Atmosphères (Le Bourget-du-Lac) ˃ Le Bateau Ivre (Le Bourget-du-Lac) Chef Alain Perrillat-Mercerot Chef Jean-Pierre Jacob ˃ Azimut (Courchevel) ˃ Albert 1er (Chamonix-Mont-Blanc) Chef François Moureaux Chef Pierre Maillet ˃ Ô Flaveurs (Douvaine) ˃ Le Kintessence - Hôtel K2 Altitude (Courchevel) Chef Jérôme Mamet Chef Jean-Rémy Caillon ˃ La Ferme de l’Hospital ˃ Le Chabichou (Courchevel) (Saint-Julien-en-Genevois/Bossey) Chef Michel Rochedy Chef Jean-Jacques Noguier ˃ Le Montgomerie - Hôtel K2 Altitude (Courchevel) ˃ Le Farçon (La Tania) Chef Gratien Demczyna Chef Julien Machet ˃ Pierre Gagnaire pour Les Airelles (Courchevel) ˃ La Table de l’Alpaga (Megève) Chef Pierre Gagnaire Chef Christophe Schuffenecker ˃ Auberge Les Morainières (Jongieux) ˃ Le Sérac (Saint-Gervais-les-Bains) Chef Mickaël Arnoult Chef Raphaël Le Mancq ˃ La Maison des Bois (Manigod) ˃ L’Ekrin (Méribel) Chef Marc Veyrat Chef Laurent Azoulay ˃ Jean Sulpice (Val Thorens) ˃ Le Baumanière 1850 - Hôtel Strato (Courchevel) Chef Jean Sulpice Chef Jean-André Charial ˃ L’Atelier d’Edmond (Val d’Isère) Chef Benoît Vidal

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On the slopes and off the slopes

ON WHEELS:

˃ In Courchevel, holiday-makers can drive a ˃ In Les Gets, children aged between 5 and piste-basher. After a briefing from a 12 can test drive electric snowmobiles in the TOBOGANNING professional, they can drive this real beast of Mountain E-Park. On a closed circuit, they There are over 80 runs dedicated to 470CV on a private circuit . can have fun with these electric vehicles tobogganing in Savoie Mont Blanc. made by the Swiss brand Quantya, the only ˃ In Val Thorens, the Ice Driving Academy has Tobogganing is a hugely popular brand to develop electric snowmobiles. activity and some new runs are ope- acquired four legendary vintage cars: the ning this winter. BMW 316 (propulsion), Subaru Justy (4x4), ˃ In Morillon, holiday-makers can try elec- There is a XXL run in Courchevel with Golf (traction) and Ford Escort (traction). tric skateboards with a guide. Equipped with four tunnels, 450m of vertical descent Equipped with special tyres designed to drive big 4x4 wheels and an electric engine con- and an average gradient of 15%. on ice, they offer their drivers adrenalin- trolled by a remote, the skate can reach Les Saisies has a new 2km run, and packed thrills in the company of qualified ins- speeds of up to 40km/hr. This is a fun and Megève is also opening a long run. ecological way to discover the resort’s Valmorel and Cordon are opening tructors tracks. some runs as well. FOR THE COMPETITIVE ONES

˃ With Alpina Watches ESF Experience, Le Grand Bornand opens its slalom stadium to the public. Skiers can time themselves and compared their times to champions such as Tessa Worley and Steve Missillier. Their run is shown on a giant screen and can be shared on social media via a dedicated app.

©SAVOIE MONT BLANC TOURISME ˃ Pralognan-la-Vanoise has developed an exclusive system that gives skiers the details of their day on the slopes (distances skied, accumulated vertical descents, etc) based on

their lift pass. The resort won a Digital Mou- ALPINA WATCHES ESF EXPERIENCE ©A. BOICHARD - AGENCE ZOOM tain Award for it at Alpipro 2017.

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PAMPERING

ACTIVITIES BY NIGHT ˃ Aussois in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise spending two to three minutes in a -160° cham- has a new aqua-centre with a 140m2 pool, a ber – is the latest experience to try. And last but Launched last winter in Le Grand pool with bubbles, a paddling pool, as well as not least, a new experience that will appeal to all Bornand, ‘Ski coucher de soleil’ (skiing at sunset) allows a hot tub, steam room, sauna and relaxing technology fans: ICAROS, which brings virtual skiers to ski for an extra hour. The room with beautiful views of the mountains. reality to fitness and exercise. resort is offering a new pass this ˃ Altispa is a new spa in La Rosière, with ˃ At the four-star Araucaria Hotel & Spa in La winter that starts at 3pm and 2 includes the ‘Ski coucher de so- aqua bikes, hot tubs, a Japanese sauna, Plagne, the 450m Nuxe spa has a sauna, a pool, leil’. treatment rooms and a salt therapy grotto to a tepidarium (a warm relaxing room), an ice energise and vitalise after a day on the cave, and treatment rooms. While the parents In Peisey, discover the Glacier de slopes. Visitors will also love its sauna with are pampered, children can have fun in the chil- Rosuel by night with torchlights, dren’s pool. accompanied by reindeers. panoramic views on Aiguille Rouge, one of the most beautiful views of the French Alps. In Tignes, try scuba diving under ˃ Les Sybelles organises a Zen week, from 27th the lake’s ice by night. ˃ The five-star hotel Aman Le Mélezin in January to 2nd February. A temporary village will Courchevel has been renovated and has a be set up at the top of the ski area where many

new Aman Spa. Designed with Japanese free courses will be available, including Qi gong, MEILLEUR NATURE influences, the spa has stones on the floor, yoga, sophrology and meditation. Skiers can also stop for a healthy juice or have a rest at the nap The chefs René and Maxime and lots of plants and bamboo to create a Meilleur, who have three relaxing atmosphere. It includes five bar. In the evening, workshops and talks will take Michelin stars for their restaurant treatment rooms, two massage rooms for place in resort. La Bouitte in Saint-Martin-de- couples, a sensorial shower, a 14m long pool ˃ In Val Thorens ex pro-freerider and local Amé- Belleville, have launched their with two hot tubs, a stone steam room and a lie is opening a concept store, Supernova, in the own beauty products for their sauna. The wellness area has a room for Thai spa. Named ‘Meilleur Nature’, Péclet shopping centre. The concept is, enjoy massage, a very well equipped gym with TRX their range of products have fresh, healthy cuisine while shopping. Amélie will equipment and a yoga studio. extracts of rosebay willowherb be sharing her recipes for vitamin-packed break- and, like their cooking, includes ˃ The Aquamotion Centre in Courchevel is fasts; the dishes are all vegetarian, some are many mountain plants. Rich in offering new activities, including aqua biking vegan, and there are even gluten-free options flavonoid, vitamin C and pro- and an aqua gym, as well as yoga, pilates, such as delicious chestnut-flour waffles. vitamin A, Meilleur Nature pro- sophrology, hypnosis and osteopathy, and it ducts help to firm up the skin. has opened a new fitness centre. For skiers and snowboarders wanting to aid muscle recovery and rehabilitation, cryotherapy –

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Architecture and history

A ski holiday can also be an opportunity to learn about the local architecture and This type of futuristic architecture history. creates renewed interest as many In the 1950s, wintersports became popular and many resorts were built in Savoie buildings have been listed. These pur- Mont Blanc to host ski holiday-makers. Creative architects designed these purpose pose-built ski resorts are part of the -built resorts in a daring style. Flaine, Avoriaz, Courchevel, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Le 20th century architectural heritage and can be discovered via guided Corbier and Les Karellis emerged with distinctive, futuristic buildings. tours. ˃ In 1946, French architect Laurent Chappis ˃ Designed by the then-young architects

and his team created Courchevel and wrote Jacques Labro, Jean-Jacques Orzoni and Savoie Mont Blanc also has many the rule book on how to create a ski resort. Jean-Marc Roques, Avoriaz’s architecture is traditional resorts and historical buil- futuristic, avant-gardist and baroque at the dings, especially in the Baroque style. ˃ In Les Arcs, French architect and designer same time. Like Flaine, Avoriaz was built in Charlotte Perriand has applied Le Corbusier’s There is a ‘Chemins du Baroque’ itine- the 1960s, but with complex carpentry that principles to holiday accommodation. She rary that includes over 90 sites. Some created a warmer style. are accessible by ski. believes that better design helps to create a better society. Her first work, the Cascade ˃ Another landmark of this time is the Pa- In Peisey, the ESF organises ski outings to the Chapelle des Vernettes, located building, is simply revolutionary – all terraces quebot des Neiges (the transatlantic liner at 1,816m. Listed since 1983, the cha- get the sun all day thanks to the building’s of the snow) in La Plagne - Aime 2000, de- pel is a unique sanctuary with a natu- staggered levels. signed by Parisian architect Michel Bezan- ral ‘miraculous’ spring and beautiful çon. This gigantic building has three roofs ˃ Created in the 1960s, Flaine is the work of Baroque alpine art from the 18th cen- that look like mountain peaks. Bezançon’s tury. Bauhaus master Marcel Breuer. His vision was goal was to create a mini-resort in a single of a modernist ski utopia, designed purely In Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, a green building – residents can access all the re- around skiing. The resort has a unique Bruta- slope takes skiers to the Saint-Nicolas sort’s services without going outside. de Véroce church. The church includes lism architecture as well as outdoor, accessible an old presbytery that is home to a to all artwork by world-famous artists such as sacred art museum. Picasso, Dubuffet, Vasarely and Bury.

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Events

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

It’s a big year for birthdays in the Savoie Mont Blanc this year. Méribel and Peisay-Vallandry are celebrating turning 80, Châtel and Saint-Sorlin d’Arves will turn 70, Morillon 60 and Bonneval-sur- Arc and Le Corbier 50. All resorts will celebrate their anniversaries throughout winter with exhibitions and events. Check their websites for the latest information.

Savoie Mont Blanc sponsors many évents, including:

˃ Ski Cross World Cup Val Thorens 8-9 December ˃ Snowboard Cross World Cup Val Thorens 12-13 December ˃ FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Val d’Isère 09-10 et 16-17 December ˃ Biathlon World Cup Le Grand Bornand 12-17 December ˃ FIS Alpine Ski World Cup (ladies), Courchevel 19-20 December ˃ FIS Telemark World Cup Pralognan-la-Vanoise 12-13 January ˃ La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc 13-24 January ˃ Duel Tour Savoie Mont Blanc February/March ˃ SFR SFR Freestyle Tour – Halfpipe skiing World Cup Tignes 07-08 March ˃ Moguls and ski cross World Cup finals Megève 17-18 March

All events winter 2017-2018 in Savoie Mont Blanc : www.savoiemontblanc.com

Skiing in the spring

Many ski resorts in Savoie Mont Blanc open until late April, with Tignes and Val Thorens staying open until early May. Spring is a great time for skiing as the snow is good, and the days are longer and usually sunnier. Moreover, many resorts organise music events, food festivals, and In Courchevel, the Dynastar X3 com- special entertainment. bines biking, trail running and ski alpi- nism. This exceptional mountain tria- ˃ Launched in 2011, Rock the Pistes is a ˃ NEW: Chamonix will host the first winter thlon links the lowest point of the unique festival in which concerts take place on version of Musilac. Musilac is a music resort (Carrey at 830m) to the highest the slopes of the Portes du Soleil. The festival festival that has been taking place in (La Saulire at 2,710m). Solo or in a team, participants will have to cycle is very popular – last year 7,000 people were Aix-les-Bains for 15 years. World- famous 13.9km, run 6.3km and ski 4.8km. in Avoriaz listening to Rag’Bone. musicians have played there, including The Dynastar X3 will take place on Rock the Pistes 2018 will take place from 18- Sting, Muse, the Cure and Jamiroquai. 15th April. 24 March and Les Gets will host the Festival’s The festival runs from 19-21 April and www.courchevel.com village. will host up to 15,000 spectators every night. www.rockthepistes.com The programme will be announced late September ˃ Over 50 concerts, ranging from fusion www.chamonix.com electro world to classical music and pop and rock, will take place in Flaine from 12 March to ˃ The final music festival of the season is Apo- 20 April for Le Printemps de Flaine. theose Days in Val Thorens, from 1-8 May. www.flaine.com Held at 2,300m, it offers an unforgettable time in a fun, friendly atmosphere. ˃ Muzifoliz is a 10-day festival in La Rosière in www.valthorens.com April. There will be three concerts a day in the bars and restaurants of the resort. ˃ Les Arcs organises the first mountain bike- ski relay, Le Ski2Bike, on 21st April. 150 teams ˃ Les Francofolies, a famous music festival of two will start on skis at 2,413m, ski through that takes place in La Rochelle, had its first the snowpark then get on their bike to ride DYNASTARX3 - COURCHEVEL©PATRICK PACHOD winter version of the festival in Tignes in 2015. down the famous La 8 run in the bikepark The third winter festival will take place from before finishing in Bourg Saint-Maurice at 16-19 April. 840m. www.tignes.net www.lesarcs.com

14 PRESS PACK • WINTER 2017 - 2 0 1 8  SKIING IN THE SPRING Linked ski areas

Fully linked ski area

Linked with shuttles

18 Linked ski areas

14 LINKED AREAS (COMPLETELY LINKED BY LIFTS)

˃ Espace Diamant ˃ Grand Domaine ˃ Portes du Soleil ˃ Les Sybelles 192km, from 1000m to 2069m 165km, from 1450m to 2550m 600km, from 1000m to 2400m 310km, from 1100m to 2620m Resorts: Crest Voland Cohennoz, Resorts: Valmorel, Saint-François- Resorts: Abondance, Avoriaz, Châ- Resorts: Le Corbier, La Toussuire, Flumet-Saint Nicolas la Chapelle, Longchamp, Doucy-Combelouvière, tel, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Les Les Bottières-Jarrier, Saint-Jean- Hauteluce, Notre Dame de Belle- Celliers Gets, Montriond, Morzine-Avoriaz, d’Arves, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, Saint- combe, Praz sur Arly, Les Saisies 6-day pass: €225.30 Saint Jean d’Aulps. Switzerland: Colomban-des-Villards 6-day pass: €210.60 www.legranddomaine.fr Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Val 6-day pass: €222.50 www.espacediamant.com d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin www.sybelles.com ˃ Grand Massif 6-day pass: from €221 to €260 ˃ Espace San Bernardo 265km, from 700m to 2500m www.portesdusoleil.com ˃ Tignes - Val d’Isère 160 km, from 1850m to 2650m Resorts: Flaine, Samoëns, Les Carroz, 300km, from 1550m to 3456m Resorts: La Rosière 1850, Séez, Morillon, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval ˃ Praz de Lys – Sommand Resorts: Tignes, Val d’Isère La Thuile (Italy) 6-day pass: €246 50 km, from 1240m to 2000m 6-day pass: from €256.50 to €285 6-day pass: €211.20 www.grand-massif.com Resorts: Taninges-Praz de Lys, www.tignes.net and www.espacesanbernardo.com Mieussy-Sommand www.valdisere.com

˃ Hirmentaz-Les Habères 6-day pass: €143 ˃ Evasion Mont Blanc 50km, from 935 to 1610m www.prazdelys-sommand.com ˃ Les 3 Vallées 445km, from 1113m to 2350m Resorts: Bellevaux-Hirmentaz, 600km, from 1300m to 3230m Resorts: Megève, Saint-Gervais-Saint ˃ Roc d’Enfer les Habères Resorts: Courchevel, La Tania, -Nicolas, Combloux, La Giettaz, Les 50km, from 950m to 1800m 6-day pass: from €118 to 136 Méribel, Brides-les-Bains (accessed Contamines/Hauteluce Resorts: Saint Jean d’Aulps-Roc www.hirmentaz-bellevaux.com by gondola), Les Menuires, Saint 6-day pass: €234.50 d’Enfer Bellevaux-Roc d’Enfer Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens, www.evasionmontblanc.com ˃ Paradiski 6-day pass: €129.90 Orelle (accessed by gondola) www.espacerocdenfer.com ˃ Galibier Thabor 425km, from 1200m to 3250m 6-day pass: from €240 to €300 Resorts: Les Arcs/Bourg Saint Maurice, www.les3vallees.com 150km, from 1430m to 2600m Champagny-en-Vanoise, Montchavin- Resorts: Valloire, Valmeinier les-Coches, Peisey-Vallandry, La 6-day pass: €200 Plagne, La Plagne-Montalbert, www.galibier-thabor.com Villaroger 6-day pass: from €239.50 to €299 www.paradiski.com

4 AREAS LINKED BY LIFTS AND SHUTTLES

˃ Eski-Mo ˃ Massif des Aravis ˃ Savoie Grand Revard ˃ Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley 300km, from 1400m to 3050m 220km, from 1000m to 2600m 50km, from 1200 to 1550m 163km, from 1035m to 3300m Resorts: Aussois, La Norma, Val Resorts: La Clusaz, Le Grand- Resorts: La Féclaz, Le Revard, Saint- Resorts: Ski lifts of the Chamonix Cenis, Val Frejus, Bonneval-sur- Bornand, François-de-Sales Valley including Aiguille du Midi, Arc Manigod, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt 6-day pass: €89 Montenvers as well as Evasion 6-day pass: price to be confirmed 6-day pass: €212 www.savoiegrandrevard.com Mont Blanc, Courmayeur and the www.eski-mo.com www.lakeannecy-skiresorts.com Funivia Monte Bianco in Italy. 6-day pass: €306 www.chamonix.com

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PRESS PACK • WINTER 2017 - 2 0 1 8  SAVOIE MONT BLANC 17 CONTACTS

UK Montagnes Representation Nadine Carle-Edgar [email protected] 07905 25 24 60

France Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme Céline Guillermin celine.guillermin;@smbtourisme.com +33 (0)4 79 85 96 99 - +33 (0)6 83 13 36 07

SavoieMontBlanc Intl @SMBIntl

facebook.com/savoiemontblanc

@savoiemontblanc

Photothèque : www.phototheque.savoie-mont-blanc.com/en/ www.savoie-mont-blanc.tv

www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

SMBT/Brigitte FAVRE

PRESS PACK • WINTER 2017 - 2 0 1 8 