Poster: A snowHead
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Looks virtually certain now that the CDA 'Compagnie Des Alpes' will take over Serre Che. Offers had been invited and lodged, CDA and SOFIVAL the main contenders, as well as Transmontagne (an Alpe d'Huez/2 Alpes/Serre Che consortium I think). The various local administrations (1200, 1400, 1500) have voted 10-2 in favour of the offer from the CDA, with SOFIVAL a distant second-best. For some reason 1350 only votes later in the year (late November?), but assuming they don't throw a spanner in the works, it's more or less decided.
Various new projects in the pipeline, remains to be seen just what this latest privatisation will bring, but there's already mention of the new high speed Clos Gauthier chair for 2005, as well as one to replace the old Forêt lift. For next season snow cannons between the Aravet-Marteau and Piste du Bez.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Transmontagne are not quite the same as the Company des Alpes. They basically are a consultancy type business who specialise in managing ski domains. They wouldn't be able to invest in the infrastructure and this is the major problem for Serre Chevalier (btw: I have a friend who consults for TM). The CdA will get a concession to operate the lift systems. These normally last a fixed term such as 30 years. The other operators are probably involved because EU competition law requires competitive tendering.
Chantmerle (1350) has the most modern part of the Serre Che. lift system and therefore the best receipts are not so hot to have the CdA come in and take over. Knowing French ski resorts I wouldn't be surprised if there is still some negotiating to do.
Out of the CdA and Sofival, CdA are the better company to run the resort in my opinion. They are a lot more transparent. [I must declare an interest, I’m a CdA shareholder]
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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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davidof, does being a shreholder bring any perks such as discounted liftpasses?
REgards
Rob
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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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rob@rar.org.uk wrote: |
davidof, does being a shreholder bring any perks such as discounted liftpasses?
REgards
Rob |
It does, but it varies for each CdA resort and there is a limit to how many shares you have to hold. The shares are traded on the French 2nd market but there are not that many on open sale.
At one time being a shareholder meant you could bunk the queue at Grand Montets, which was perhaps the biggest perk of all.
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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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Any discounts for Les Arcs?
Regards
Rob
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As an apartment owner there you will already be entitled to a certain discount off the season pass, should you opt for one... I've got the details of last year's costs somewhere....
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Thanks PG, I'm trying to see if I can justify a season pass. The trouble is I have a pre-season week in Tignes and at least one week's ski school in Courchevel, so a season pass for Les Arcs plus 2 weeks elsewhere might be a bit expensive! I'd be grateful if you could dig out the discounted prices.
Regards
Rob
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rob you can always email the Les Arcs tourist office to get prices, 1800ot@lesarcs.com - Gaelle, Raja etc all speak english
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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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Interesting article PG. I thought the old Foret lift that you refer to was Foret I and II, which are drags. If they replace I with a lift, thank the Lord - that's quite a long steep button
Not too surprised at Davidof's view on Chantemerle - there's the new 6 man chair, the telecabin and telepherique. In additon, there's also the biggest bowl at Serre Ratier with more restaurants and a large ESF centre, indicating more learning activity perhaps. Above there is Grande Alp which is another bowl area well served by lifts and also some ideal slopes to learn on and ski down from.
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Mark Hunter, how I have frozen on that Foret drag, and clung on for dear life-oldest son fell off too trying to be clever.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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It is indeed the Forêt drag that is being replaced...
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