 Poster: A snowHead
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Has anyone skied Le Col du Corbier/Drouzin le Mont. I am contemplating buying a studio here as its cheaper than the usual suspects (Morzine, St Jean, etc) and has its own little ski area and is close to the rest of Portes do Soleil. Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I did take my daughter for a slide there in March 2011 even though it was officially closed
If you're happy to be in a very small resort with relatively short season but easy access elsewhere then go for it. I think you'd end up spending a lot of time driving though and not much time skiing locally
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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-del-
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Mon 21-01-19 12:37; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Michelle Vivan who (over)developed (in my opinion) Thollon Les Memise?
Andy
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I do not want to prejudice your potential apartment sale, but you should be aware that M Vivien announced in May that he would not be operating the station next year.
A meeting was held with the Marie of Le Biot as Drouzin Le Mont is in that commune behind closed doors with a potential buyer for the resort.
A M Martin had come forward, and would continue with the resort development as planned in line with the PLU.
The resort currently runs at a loss of about €80k per year. M Vivien was able to swallow that, by selling chalets and apartments opposite the pistes (Basically the profit on 1 chalet, or 2 apartments would cover this).
M Martin had 2 demands, one that he be allowed to build a hotel with a bar and shop where the current lift office is, and secondly that for the first 2 years, the Marie chip in 10k towards running costs, and residents chip in a further 10k.
The Marie (and sous Prefecture) said a big NON.
M Martin has withdrawn his offer to run the resort next year.
I spoke with M Guy Vivien (Son of Michel), who told me that he might run the resort for one more year in an attempt to secure a future for the resort, as it's been his baby for a while now .
Officially (according to the Marie) the resort will not open, and when I spoke with M Ademec (adjoint to the Maire) he said that in principle they should start to take down the lifts.
This will be a sad day indeed.
Officially as of July 1st, the resort has passed back to the commune.
The employees of the resort, paid for by M Vivien are still working.
They are currently emptying and cleaning the snow canon reservoir, servicing the piste bashers, burying power cables to snow canons, deploying 3 phase power to remote points on the Muret slope, remodeling the Piste de Retour, clearing trees above the Muret slope, and generally carrying on as if nothing had changed.
My wife took our land rover up into the forest where they are doing some work to winch out the hi-lux of one of the resort employees which had become stuck in a ditch, and he made no mention of being laid off. We have the impression that something is afoot but we are all being kept in the dark.
Will update when we know something more concrete.....
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Thanks for such an informative update on whats going on so far - we have an apartment in Col du Corbier (Drouzin le Mont) and so get a newsletter but its obviously all in french and whilst my french isn't bad, we couldn't quite get to the bottom of what was going on - have just had a few days there on late july and it looks as you say like business as usual but would be very grateful if you can keep us updated if you hear any more either through the forum or lucysadler19@hotmail.com - thanks - incidentally, i agree its a great base for skiing at Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz, Portes du Soleil but has its own little resort which depending on the snow (last year was fabulous!), can be challenging enough for beginners. It just neds some competition for the bar which sadly since his wife died, has become rather lacking in atmosphere. I would love to see someone else come in and would be happy to chip in to the cost if it breathes some more life into our lovely place although that is of course why we chose it as its quieter and not too commercialised.
Anyone interested in renting contact on the above email - sleeps 4 comfortably,
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Has anyone heard anything more on the future of Drouzin le Mont?
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Since my last post, I have tracked down the Mairie's web page - www.lebiot.fr
This gives details of the council meetings and the discussions held!
Seems like things are in the melting pot!
We would be pleased to help support this if needed
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We have now received an email from Mon Daniel VERBERT regarding the acquisition of the ski facilities complete including associated rights. He currently has 22 pledges to the value of €220,000 out of the €280,000 needed to secure the deal and make the ski resort profitable.
If anyone wishes to contribute to keep this facility please drop an email to Mon Verbert on dverbert@wanadoo.fr
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just thought I'd jump in with my pennies worth. The last I heard was, MV is out of it as the commune are buying him out for a sum of around 130K euros. They're going to turn the old ticket office into a restaurant which will be great for the resort and two fingers up to the tosser that owns the other restaurant. The commune were hoping to buy his place, kick him out and renovate the place but he wanted too much money. Evidently, the idea is to have a couple of green/blue slopes and 1 chair for a red. I believe LGT are still wanting to buy the other chairs.
My wife I went snow-shoeing last year as the resort was close (we're not residents). The snow was incredible, untouched knee height powder. It was such a shame the place was closed, criminal in fact.
Hopefully, for the residents, it will reopen this coming winter and if snow conditions are as good as the previous winter, it will have a good season.
Good luck!! 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Missed DANGLEEBALLS, comment on here. Looking at le biot website, it seems they are only going to use a couple of drag lifts, for the tobogganing and some nursery slopes, which sucks. One chair in operation could feed a couple of runs for a lazy Sunday afternoons skiing away from the masses...even an additional tow up top would be helpful - a trade with LGT would be novel for sure!
Hopefully the chairs are bought by LGT to improve uplift there and fund some rejuvenation into drouzin, as would be nice to have something at the top of the road.
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Last time I passed this way ( to avoid the road closure Morzine to Thonon). There was no cable on the long drag lift that brings you back from the Abondance/Chatel side. Whether this was renovation work I know not, but at least the pylons were still in place. all looks the same on the main plateau of the station but did not spot any new building going on.
Anyone have any further news?
Anderoo
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You know it makes sense.
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anderoo, according to the Le Biot page, and my poor translation (google assisted) it seems they are planning at least a partial opening of the station this winter. I think this will simply be the drag lifts and a renovation of the bar up there, but may be the first chair.
Unfortunately running the station means the village have to stump the bill as it cant cover costs. 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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The Covagne Restaurant and Bar has been open for 1 year now.
The SKI-KID Conveyor belt (200m) has been laid now.
The beginner piste has been re-modelled.
The Snow Canon Lake has been re-sculpted, and the leak has been patched.
(Although the complete lack of precipitation over the last 3 months means that it is empty)
The Ticket Office was installed 2 years ago.
The Tunnel should be going over the conveyor belt this week.
Once the liftie hut is in place, that'll be the lift sorted.
The new snow canon pumps are waiting by the piste for installation along with the hoses ( though it would have made sense to have put those in before re-sculpting the piste, as they need to be dug in).
Luckily the fine weather continues so there is a chance that some of this might get finished before before the Christmas holidays.
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Poster: A snowHead
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It looks like the edge of the piste is not quite as level as they thought ...
What the Truck !
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've driven over the Col many times and always fancied a ski. Hopefully will soon get a chance.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Rode over the col on Wednesday and great to see they magic carpet now in place with the roof almost completed. Good go see some life back and hopefully some more commercial interest, especially in summer when it’s lovely up there and gets quite a bit of tourist traffic. There are new flags promoting the area as part of a Nordic skiing network.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We were there Aug 2017 and it looked so sad, and then we drove past Aug 2018 and it was so amazing to finally see the restaurant open, lots of activity and bikes stopping for refreshment. Really hope whatever the do is successful, it's such a lovely spot.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Wow this place is up and running not a huge run but open for day and night with bar next to run something for adulots and kids open fully next year it expands worth a visit.
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Has anyone been this year? Considering this insted of morzine.
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we have a chalet just down the hill in Le Biot. Only lift is a magic carpet that gives a short green run. Not even sure it is open each day outside school holidays. So would not recommend if you want to ski near where you are staying. Very limited bus again only in high season.
No doubt you can get cheap accommodation deal. If you have a car and happy to drive each day then may be a good option as have access to the Chatel valley one way down the hill and Morzine the other way. Probably half an hour to each and less to smaller resorts like Abondance or St Jean D'Aulps.
Would need snow tyres or chains as you would be on top of hill and if it snows then road either way can be tricky for at least a few hours.
We love it here and access many different areas and could afford much more space than in Morzine.
If you are looking for an equivalent to a Morzine holiday then do not do it. If you have a well equipped car and wish to drive to somewhere new each day and close apres not a big deal then go for it.
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Thanks 99 for a very comprehensive overview. I may try to get over from morzine for a day to experience it first hand.
I read the previous conversation and it showed some heavy plant and construction. I presume that has not borne fruit yet or have plans halted, do you know?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The heavy plant was to refurbish the reservoir to supply snow canons and re model the piste and install covered magic carpet. Only spoken to one person who has skied it teaching a child who said the camber was all wrong for beginners. If you are a skier and want to try out a 100 m of green run you may want to plan something for the rest of the day. There are no plans to expand the piste skiing. Used to be drags and a couple of chairs a few years ago but they have all been taken out. Some rando routes and activities for kids in the school holidays is about the limit.
If you want a change from Morzine then maybe try the circuit at St Jean D'Aulps. Usually quiet and a bit like the area that time forgot but something different from the typical pds offering. On pds lift pass but not connected by lift.
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| pateman99 wrote: |
No doubt you can get cheap accommodation deal. |
it would have to be very cheap, I'm renting an appt in Chamonix next week for 35 euros/day.
There was an article in one of the local papers saying that the repurposing as a 4 season resort was now finished so don't ever expect any more uplift in the area. It is now aimed at nordic activities.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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It has been announced on Facebook that Michel VIVIEN passed away yesterday. RIP
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