6 Morzine: Great Skiing in the Heart of the Portes Du Soleil Ski
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PRess Pack winter 2013/2014 contents A little bit of history ..........................................p3 Gourmet dining... between local A journey to the wellness country .....................p22-23 & tradition recipes and creativity ......................p15 Great skiing in the heart Good deals ..........................................................p24-25 of the Portes du Soleil ski area .......................... p4-8 Simple pleasures ................................................p16-17 Events ................................................................p26 The kingdom of children .................................... p9-12 Un unforgettable playground .............................p18-19 Practical info ......................................................p27 Hotels upgrade ...................................................p13-14 Morzine Live, the «Après-Ski» and parties ........p20-21 Contacts .............................................................p28 a little bit of histoRy... 3 Morzine has many positive characteristics: the village is very In the 1930’ s, Morzine become «the» place to be for winter sports well located, near Geneva and a major spa town, Evian. Its average and through the years, it could adapt to the demands of tourism altitude is suitable for all ages, its climate is refreshing and while preserving its authentic charm, its cultural and architectural healthy. Its surroundings are nice and people are hospitable. heritage. Today, Morzine stands out with its connection to 650 km of runs in the Portes du Soleil ski area. Its central position It was after the World War that the tourism era really started. In in the ski area, its location at the bottom of the ski runs and its 1935, a bus line was set between Morzine and Cluses, ensuring easy access (highway is only 35 km away and Geneva International correspondence with the «Snow Train» line between Paris and Airport is only 75 minutes away) makes Morzine a popular Saint-Gervais. Ski resorts started getting really popular. In 1936, destination for French and foreign skiers. Morzine already had 15 hotels, 5 pensions, 60 rental chalets but also one hotel and one chalet situated in the mountain. All in all, it www.amorzine.com (Website administered by administered (Website www.amorzine.com Mr Jean-Christophe Richard). represented 850 beds for holiday rent, accommodation for 2,500 people in summer and 1800 in winter. Morzine then became the best equipped resort in the Chablais region to host tourists. At the same time, 5 Ski Schools opened. The first one was created in 1936 by the «Paris Alpine Ski Club». The fifth one was founded on February 27, 1939 by a group of instructors and was given the name of «Ecole de ski Morzine». In 1942, the five schools gathered and took the name of «Ecole du Ski Français». Press Contact: Nadine CHEVALIER I Tel. +33 (0)4 50 74 71 99 I Mobile: +33 (0)6 08 34 04 54 I [email protected] MoRzine: GReat skiinG in the heaRt of the PoRtes 4 du soleil ski aRea Opening dates: Morzine / Les Gets area 21/12/2013 to 13/04/2014 - Morzine-Avoriaz area 14/12/2013 to 27/04/2014 The Portes du Soleil in numbers: - 12 resorts and two countries, France and Switzerland - 7.5 meters of accumulated snow falls every year on average - 286 runs: 27 black, 104 red, 122 blue and 33 green runs - 650 km of alpine ski runs / 214 km of cross-country skiing - 195 lifts - 900 snow cannons - 11 snowparks, 1 halfpipe, 5 boardercross MoRzine: GReat skiinG in the heaRt of the PoRtes 5 du soleil ski aRea New disengageable Pléney Gondola Press Contact: Nadine CHEVALIER I Tel. +33 (0)4 50 74 71 99 I Mobile: +33 (0)6 08 34 04 54 I [email protected] MoRzine: GReat skiinG in the heaRt of the PoRtes 6 du soleil ski aRea The era of cable cars arrived in the 1930s and it was in 1934 that the Pléney gondola was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Labour. It is a total of 511m of elevation up to 1446m at the top. The flow from the skiers was too much and the gondola could not cope. Therefore, it was supported by a second cable car in 1964 made by the manufacturer SACMI. This lift was the leader of automatic four-seater gondolas developed by Poma manufacturer from 1967. Poma was also in charge of it replacement in 1980 by the current six seaters gondola. Today, the requirements of customers involved the modernization of facilities and Poma is back at work in Morzine for 2013. New disengageable Pléney Gondola At the end of the last winter Its route has not changed and the lift will carry 3,000 people The new building will have a snowy winter cover that can season, the Pléney lift company per hour against 1700 for the previous lift. But the project be used to walk with a view on the village or the slopes. started to work to ensure the does not only stop at lifts. It also includes the demolition The curved and translucent facades of the station will be replacement of the Pléney and reconstruction of the building containing the cash trimmed with wood siding with vertical «skylight» to allow gondola for winter 2013/2014. desks and the office of the Pleney lift company, so all its more light. The previous structure did not fulfill anymore the needs of departure area is redesigned for greater comfort for skiers In addition, the layout of the arrival station will facilitate skiers in terms of comfort and speed. through the whole process from purchasing the skipass to accessibility for skiers, pedestrians and disabled. getting into the new lift. Therefore, the new lift will consist of 54 ten-seater gondolas In addition, the arrival station at the top will have better • Amount of investment: € 12 million that will be in service at the beginning of the season accessibility for skiers and pedestrians. • Opening: Beginning of the 2013/2014 season 2013/2014 on an 11 pylon route. MoRzine: GReat skiinG in the heaRt of the PoRtes 7 du soleil ski aRea New «3S» Prodains lift The Prodains cable car, Ideally located, these new ski lifts will develop Morzine as the center providing access to the and lead player of the Portes du Soleil ski area. Morzine is accessible Avoriaz ski resort from to a wonderful 650 km of runs playground, one of the most Morzine was replaced varied in the world, a true invitation to travel, change of scenery by a new 3S unit. This from summit to summit, from valley to valley ... with its vast type of lift is the most nature to feel free... Besides Morzine has a naturally privileged advanced technology currently available in the cable car location for snow falls. The lift companies are also investing to industry and can be characterized as a «detachable cable». maintain the best conditions for the enjoyment of skiing. Its main advantages are exceptional comfort, a high-speed line The resort has 30 new snow cannons, which makes 325 facilities (7 meters / second) and therefore a high flow.... (2,000 to on the ski area ensuring a pre-season undercoat and keeping the 2,400 persons / hour depending on the number of cars). snow on the main runs. Only six of these cable cars are currently in service in the world. Last season, the snowfall broke records with 7 meters of accumulated Technically, there are two carrier cables and 1 tractor cable for snow on the top of Pléney, 9 meters at 1600m and 15 meters at 580 meters of elevation. 2000m high. The departure and arrival stations are new semi-submerged buildings for a better integration in the landscape. Press Contact: Nadine CHEVALIER I Tel. +33 (0)4 50 74 71 99 I Mobile: +33 (0)6 08 34 04 54 I [email protected] MoRzine: GReat skiinG in the heaRt of the PoRtes 8 du soleil ski aRea Also … Report ideas Chamossière ski area: The exclusive pleasure of skiing Chamossière could win all the superlatives: the highest point of the Morzine ski area (2002 meters), - Lifts: large investments for highly the longest ski run of the area with 1.751m, chairlifts technological and performing structures with a 105 angle at the start ... but this unique area (new gondola, snow guns ...), what are the offers above all a wild preserved side with an isolated challenges? chairlift taking skiers to two «virgin» valleys. Only two runs, a black and a red, winding on both sides - Economic Development Policy: What is of the mountain. the position of ski resorts and Morzine in Then there is the panorama on the magnificent Mont particular, in the tourism market? Blanc and a 360° angle view on the Alps! And more importantly, there is the the red «Arbis» run taking - What are the customers’ expectations you to a preserved and hilly environment with many in terms of installation (speed, comfort, variations on the slope and a final forest andfreeride accessibility, environment ...)? safe area for thrill seekers in the valley of Angolon. the kinGdoM of childRen 9 Holiday is «THE» moment of the year when all the family can be together, away from the hectic pace of everyday life. In Morzine, you can spend a dream skiing holiday with your family and take a great memory and a large smile back home with you. The village is awarded by a «Famille Plus» label for its effort to make things easier for families and children by offering them many age-appropriate infrastructures like snow garden, children ski runs, «Penguins» called children’ s boarder, sledging, ice skating, Aquatic Center, shows for children, free entertainment, family rates and tailored services... In Morzine, children are kings. They can switch between fun and varied activities and it is probably why 70% of our customers come on a family holiday and why the resort was given this «Famille Plus» award! Press Contact: Nadine CHEVALIER I Tel.