As you might already know (or not…) I am originally from Lyon. If you locate our dear capital of the Gauls on a map, you can deduce that skiing is an activity I definitely practiced in my childhood (whether at school or with my family). And one that, unfortunately, I don’t practice much anymore due to a lack of time, distance, and perhaps also because of the cost of this hobby.
Hence my desire to look into the deals offered by winter sports resorts…
And it’s the right time, since ski resorts have started to open a little early thanks to incredible snowfall (some people have to take advantage of these drastic drops in temperature).
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Montgenèvre ski area
The village resort of Montgenèvre, located at an altitude of 1860m on the Italian border, has just started its ski season.
Montgenèvre offers all-inclusive weekly stays suitable for tight budgets throughout the season (online order form on the website http://www.montgenevre.com/):
- “Prix Doux” (Sweet Price) offer, valid outside French school holidays – 10% discount on 6-day ski passes! Must be booked 10 days in advance.
- Family Pack: 6-day ski pass for 2 adults + 2 children, 50% discount on the 2nd child! Offer valid all season for at least 2 adults + 2 children, and up to 5 children maximum. Child rate for ages 6 to 17.
The perks:
- during school holidays, free shows for children every Wednesday at the village house (Maison du village).
- The night cross-country skiing sessions take place every Tuesday during winter school holidays (February-March). These festive cross-country skiing evenings are open to everyone. Teams of two compete in relays and can be formed in advance or on-site. All skiing levels are welcome starting from age 4. A specially prepared circuit is available for the little ones.
- on December 7 and 8, Montgenèvre honors Italy with “La Sant’Ambrogio“. On this occasion, the resort switches to Italian time, offering the traditional Wine and Local Products Fair from the Montegrosso d’Asti region, a wine-growing town south of Turin with which Montgenèvre is twinned. Throughout the fair, the public is invited to come and taste Piedmontese wine specialties.
- on January 25 and 26, 2014, it’s the Jazz aux Frontières weekend.
- from January 26 to 31, 2014, it’s the International Festival of Italian Cinematographic Arts, a cultural event that helps showcase the Italian influence in Montgenèvre, now entering its fifth edition.
- a reserved and secured 50,000 m2 area is available for beginners with a free carpet lift and a free ski lift near this zone.
- the ski area and the Montgenèvre Tourist Office offer weekly snow groomer rides to discover the slopes in unusual conditions. The ride is to be won during the welcome drink every Sunday at 6 p.m.
- inside the resort, Montgebus offers a free shuttle service that travels throughout the resort.
- for the 2013-2014 season opening, the combined TGV train + shuttle ticket to get to the resort will be on sale starting from €35.50 on all SNCF distribution channels.
Vars La Forêt Blanche ski area
The Vars resort pre-opens its ski area on Friday, December 13 with 17 slopes and 11 ski lifts for a unique daily rate of €13 per person, a very good deal indeed!
The next day, there will be a free concert by Gérald De Palmas on Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes resort for its opening during the 6th edition of Vars en Scène.
While waiting for the artist’s performance, the resort is rolling out an arsenal of activities: skiing, snowpark, introductory sessions and exploration of the ski area with ski schools, snowshoe hikes with guide instructors, etc.
Weekend program for Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15:
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: free event by the ESF with a discovery of the ski area supervised by an instructor (required level: 2 stars) – Meet at the central ESF.
- Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: free trial of snowscooting with Skiset stores – Meet at the Télécabine snow front.
- Saturday: opening of the snowparks; the resort’s activity providers offer numerous deals for this day.
On April 12, 2014, a cultural event combining ride, music, and art will take place… Urban Jib Arena is one of the most beautiful urban event snowparks installed on the snow front, with a free concert in the evening as a bonus.
On the evening of December 24, the Caramantra company will offer a dreamlike show mixed with mirages, spells, sorcerers, and other chimeras that will haunt the streets.
FesTiVArs takes place every Thursday in 2014; the snow front will become the scene of a festive evening with 4 bands and completely free concerts.
- Thursday, February 20: Boulevard des Airs – 7 p.m.
- Thursday, February 27: Têtes Raides – 7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 6: Sergent Garcia – 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 13: Sanseverino – 7:30 p.m.
Méribel ski area
Méribel opens its ski area on Saturday, December 7, in the heart of the 3 Vallées, and has a special welcome in store for its first visitors with a lively program.
Méribel Tourisme is renewing the “Méribel Valley area ski pass and breakfast offered” promotion for the first 100 people present at the Méribel-Mottaret tourist office on Saturday morning. Early birds take note!
- 8:00 a.m.: Méribel Valley ski pass and breakfast offered to the first 100 people present
- 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast offered to the first 300 people present
- A day of gliding in the heart of the 3 Vallées
- Exclusive dancefloor evening organized in partnership with La Folie Douce at the Club des Saint Pères (Olympic Park, Méribel Center) to dance to the rhythm of the Eurovibes By Euronews 02 compilation. From midnight, entry is free and open to all
Another tip for the season opening, take advantage of the special early-season rate (until December 13) with the Méribel Valley Pass at €38/day (instead of €47.50).
Les Orres Resort
The Les Orres resort opens its ski area tomorrow, Saturday, December 7, 2013. If you are in the area, it might be worth it, since the Hautes-Alpes resort will be accessible at a flat rate of €16 for the day and €32 for the weekend.
From January 27 to 31, 2014, the resort will present the festival “Rirozor” for the first time.
Every evening, comedians from the first season of Laurent Ruquier’s show on France 2, “On ne demande qu’à en rire,” will present their show in the Espace Rencontre et Culture hall.
