Press Kit - Winter 2014-2015 FROM 6TH DECEMBER 2014 TO 24TH APRIL 2015 WINTER WINTER04 WONDERLAND 18 SPORTS 36 26 FIGURES EVERY DAY IS A CELEBRATION PRESS CONTACTS 30A PEAK Nathalie Faure Bernoud OF PLENTY Media communication manager 12 Tel. +33 (0) 479 01 44 18 ANOTHER SIDE Mobile +33 (0) 630 29 73 05 TO THE SUMMITS [email protected] Camille Soubeyrand Assistant Tel. +33 (0) 479 08 89 30 Mobile +33 (0) 645 46 65 16 [email protected] PHotoS AND PRESS PacK Rights-free visuals and press information available at: http://mediabase.courchevel.com www.courchevel.com Copyrights: David André – Patrice Mestari – Dinezine Design – Marc Bérenguer/le K2 – Christian Arnal - S3V – Patrick Pachod – Guides-Courchevel - Courchevel Sports Alpinisme – Agence Zoom (Alain Grosclaude, Sindy Thomas, Vianney Thibault, Houk Baderz, Christophe Pallot) – Jean-Christophe Photo - Club des Sports Courchevel – ESF1550/Olivier Harrassowski - Jérôme Kelagopian/Courchevel Tourisme - Brown paper bag - Club des Sports - Olivier Brajon. Writing: YP Média/Courchevel Tourisme. Design: Dinezine Design / Printing: Couleurs Montagne. 02 | 03 COURCHEVEL • PRESS KIT WINTER 2014 - 2015 Summary Ski Winter WONDERLAND Courchevel is based in Les 3 Vallées, the largest interlinked ski area in the world. A stunning setting for skiing your heart out in a variety of landscapes: perfectly groomed pistes, forests and high in the mountain… Courchevel is suitable for all types of skiers no matter their ability. Different areas provide space to have fun skiing and are suitable for families and expert skiers alike. Easy at the bottom, challenging at the top… Courchevel is blanketed in snow throughout winter. The altitude, north-facing pistes and large fleet of snow machines create the perfect ski area from the start of December to the end of April. This is a “skis on” resort which means you get even more out of your skiing holiday. Courchevel encourages a unique state of mind. The piste service’s work is famous the world over. S3V is committed to the most ambitious investment plan ever seen on a ski area. Excellence is second nature for all those involved. IN THE PREss The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard (UK), October 2013. Courchevel’s ski area provides an exceptional playground for all skiers: from formidable black pistes to zen areas, Courchevel is heaven for skiers of all abilities.˝ 04 | 05 COURCHEVEL • PRESS KIT WINTER 2014 - 2015 Ski News A 6-persON DEtacHABLE CHAIR LIFT IN L’AIGUILLE DU FRUIT ECO-FRIENDLY SNOW MACHINES With 578 machines covering 60% of the area, A DEtacHABLE CHAIRLIFT Courchevel’s policy is very avant-garde. “We focus on updating our fleet at the same time as expanding our FROM COURCHEVEL snow machine network,” says Thomas Thor-Jensen. LE PRAZ “The 578newest models use less water, less electricity and less air.” 8 new-generation snow machines have been installed on the new Park City piste at a cost S3V has replaced its four-person gondola Last winter, S3V rolled out an of 300,000 Euros. This state-of-the-art equipment lift Forêt with a 6-person detachable unprecedented investment plan: currently accounts for 55% of the fleet. Over the years, chairlift. This more comfortable and 140 million Euros including 70% the proportion will only increase. faster new structure can transport devoted to refurbishing ski lifts to 2,400 skiers per hour compared with be injected by 2019 to modernise 1,000 previously. “The Forêt chairlift the area and improve connections provides a better connection from between different parts of the valley. This is the second headline this winter. A 6-person the village of Courchevel Le Praz Project cost: 9 million Euros. detachable chair lift has replaced Les Gravelles and whilst highlighting the exceptional L’Aiguille du Fruit chair lifts in the Creux area. This Aski area in the forest and all the levels structure sees S3V IMPROVING THE CONNECTION available in this area,” says Thomas BETWEEN COURCHEVEL MORIOND AND COURCHEVEL. It Thor-Jensen, Ski Area Director. transports 3,300 skiers/hour which is a higher capacity than the two previous structures put together. It helps RESPONSIVE to LESSEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON DESIGN THE SKI AREA WITH 11 PYLONS INSTEAD OF ONLINE SALES 30. “We strive to protect the area in which we live and work,” says Thomas Thor-Jensen. “That means having Buying your pass on your installations which consume less energy and are less computer is great. Buying it restrictive on the land on which they stand.” on your smartphone or tablet Project cost: 8 million Euros. is even better. S3V is always on the lookout for the latest innovations and has created a “responsive design” online shop meaning it is “capable of working as easily on a Let’s hear from computer as anything else,” says Jean-Pierre Lalanne, Sales Director. THE ONLINE SHOP THE NEW LOOK THOMAS CAN BE ACCESSED FROM THE PARK CITY PISTE COURCHEVEL APP. THOR-Jensen Park City has been redesigned in the same area where the detachable chair lift L’Aiguille du Fruit COURCHEVEL SKI AREA “LIBERTy ride” SPacE has opened. The new layout makes it easier to reach DIREctoR IN COURCHEVEL MORIOND and has seen it classified as a blue piste. It now starts from the top of the chair lift and goes down “In Courchevel, we strive to give our guests the The resort brings its stunning natural setting which is area is red piste level. It covers 1.3km with a 350m diffe- to the Altiport piste. It’s a fantastic part of the very best. EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE RESORT heaven for ski enthusiasts to the masses. The “liberty ride” rence in altitude. In the freeriding vein, the resort also has resort where you can enjoy exceptional views. WORKS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY SKIER, no matter area is a playground that has been specially designed for an Avalanch’ Camp for visitors to gain an understanding You can also watch planes take off and land at the their ability, GOES HOME WITH THE KNOWLEDGE freeriding and set up in the Courchevel Moriond area. It of the mountain setting and skiing off-piste. Altiport’s impressive runway. THAT THEY’VE HAD THE BEST SKIING HOLIDAY OF is a place where you can PRACTISE AWAY FROM THE Project cost: 400,000 Euros. Project cost: 300,000 Euros THEIR LIFE.” SLOPES IN TOTAL PEACE. This secure but ungroomed 06 | 07 COURCHEVEL • PRESS KIT WINTER 2014 - 2015 Ski Ski schools Ski area FaMILY PaRK 4 PEOPLE AND 8 HOURS OF SNOW GROOMING PER NIGHT Family Park on the Verdons slope is a fun space with a range of units and highly popular with skiers of all levels. Everyone loves boardercross, big air bag and a series of Plus... hills. Four people work on the site full-time throughout winter and provide holidaymakers with a high quality and constantly changing playground. Snow gromming machines spend eight hours every night grooming it. BESPOKE The activity leaders focus on hosting social activities. LESSON Families spend their afternoons having giant snowball fights, jousting contests and games in a snowy maze. PACKAGES The philosophy behind Family Park is to constantly Learning is always tailor-made innovate but stay true to the spirit of fun and at the ESF ski schools in sharing. Skiing may be a sport but what’s most Courchevel. There is a variety important is that holidaymakers enjoy themselves. With of packages for holidaymakers this in mind, the site now has a second big air bag to be OVER 1000 MONItoRS to choose from. used with a buoy. FOR SERVICE AT ITS PEAK For example, mini group courses for skiers aged 6-12. THE VERDONS Courchevel has the highest concentration of monitors in Europe. In total, THESE LESSONS HAVE GROUPS OF over 1000 men and women throughout the resort teach people how to ski. 5 OR 6 STUDENTS AND MAKE IT BY NIGHT XXL FASTER TO PROGRESS FROM THE You’re in for a day to remember if you call on them. AS WELL AS TEACHING FIRST STAR TO THE GOLD STAR. Following the success of The Verdons by Night, YOU HOW TO SKI, THE INSTRUCTORS ARE ALSO YOUR GUIDE WEDNESDAY NIGHT EQUALS BB ski at ESF 1850 provides S3V has decided to host The Verdons by Night XXL AND A PRIVILEGED PART OF YOUR BESPOKE STAY. “Private lessons THE VERDONS BY NIGHT lessons for toddlers aged 18 on important winter evenings. What’s the idea? In account for a huge amount of our business,” says James Gachet, Director months and over to have their Every Wednesday from the end of December to the start Jean-Pierre Lalanne’s words, to make the winning of ESF Courchevel 1850 ski school. “It’s the opportunity for skiers to treat first skiing experience on a of March, the Verdons piste and its Family Park switch night skiing formula “bigger, longer and better.” themselves to a bespoke service alone, with friends or family.” Ski instructors one-to-one basis, weather to night mode. The slope stays open until 8pm on the THE PARTY LASTS LONG INTO THE NIGHT as the ski lifts can go and meet holidaymakers where they want. They will introduce them permitting. Children are Wednesday night lates. Skiers can experience a unique stay open until 10pm. Manufacturers test out new to the resort at their own pace. For around 400 Euros, you can treat yourself O provided with appropriate atmosphere with the host of entertainment in the Park to products and the ESF ski schools perform torchlight to an unforgettable day with five or six loved ones. In Courchevel, you can equipment and taught by the sound of DJs’ turntables.