Where to Stay in Méribel: Hotel Le Coucou – opening December 2019

Where to Stay in Méribel: Hotel Le Coucou - opening December 2019.

Where to Stay in Méribel: Hotel Le Coucou – opening December 2019

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The Pariente family are delighted to announce the launch of Maisons Pariente, a new luxury collection of boutique five-star hotels in Provence, Saint-Tropez and Méribel. Fashion and property entrepreneur Patrick Pariente and his two daughters, Leslie Kouhana and Kimberley Pariente, are the driving force behind this new venture, which offers guests exclusive escapes to beautiful properties in stunning French destinations.

Where to Stay in Méribel: Hotel Le Coucou - opening December 2019
Where to Stay in Méribel: Hotel Le Coucou – opening December 2019

Maisons Pariente will round off 2019 with the opening of Le Coucou in Méribel in December. Set on the ski slopes, the brand-new hotel will offer 55 guest bedrooms and suites as well as two private chalets, two restaurants and a spa with six treatment rooms and hairdresser, indoor and outdoor pools, hammam and sauna. With two kids’ clubs to suit both toddlers and teens, Le Coucou looks set to be an ideal choice for families looking to hit the slopes. Interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch is working with the Pariente family to bring this exciting new project to life.

Nightly rates at Le Coucou start from 610 Euros on a bed & breakfast basis. To reserve your room at Le Coucou click here.

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What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Works are undergoing at Val Thorens this summer for the next winter season 2019-20. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Following the closure at the end of January of the cable car Cime Caron, the replacement of the load carrier cables has started in May. This gigantic project will cost €6 million and will be finished in November, right on time for the start of the winter season 2019/2020.

Lac 2 - lake reservoir for snow making at Val Thorens. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.
Lac 2 – lake reservoir for snow making at Val Thorens. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Furthermore, two Gazex will be installed under the line of the cable car in order to secure even more the area and allow a faster opening to customers in the mornings.

The water reservoir Lac 2, used for snow making, will be expanded with a capacity going from 88 000m3 to 306 000m3.

Snow guns are added at the top of the blue piste Plateaux in order to improve customer satisfaction on this highly frequented area between the snowpark and the Family Park. In addition, it will facilitate the access to Funitel Grand Fond at the beginning of the season.

Col, the last fixed-grip chairlift of Val Thorens, will have its 25 years “Grande Inspection”. The top of the lift offers stunning views over Glacier de Chavière and Parc de la Vanoise.

Val Thorens- Lorries are carrying the loading cables. Photo: Val Thorens TO. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.
Val Thorens- Lorries are carrying the loading cables. Photo: Val Thorens TO. What is new for Val Thorens for 2019/20.

Funitel Peclet, situated at the spine of the ski area, will undergo a major check-up, starting this summer with a three-year implementation timeframe.

The descent speed of Cairn and Caron gondolas will be increased. For our non-skiing customers, those two lifts link the summit of Cime Caron from the resort centre.

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A British skier dies after falling 32 feet from a chairlift in the French resort of Méribel at the 3 Vallées.

The pretty resort of Méribel in Les Trois Vallées. A British skier dies after falling 32 feet from a chairlift in the French resort of Méribel at the 3 Vallées.

A British skier dies after falling 32 feet from a chairlift in the French resort of Méribel at the famous 3 Vallées

The reports say that the 65 years old man, who was not yet named by authorities, had a heart attack just before he fell. He was seating next to a female friend. She is being interviewed by the police.

Investigators want to find out if the victim might have squeezed down the metal safety bar of the chairlift that protects passengers.

The lift was a six-seater built by the company Pomagalski in 2017 that transports 2,400 per hour.

A British skier dies after falling 32 feet from a chairlift in the French resort of Méribel at the 3 Vallées.
A British skier dies after falling 32 feet from a chairlift in the French resort of Méribel at the 3 Vallées. Illustrative photo.

Emergency services were called at 12.20 to the Roc-de-Tougne lift and from the six first respondents, two doctors tried to resuscitate the man for more than half an hour but unfortunately the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man suffered a heart attack and died on the slopes in the resort of Méribel.

Police are investigating whether the 65-year-old man was in cardiac arrest before falling 32 feet from the chairlift.

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Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

Back Bowls of Vail, Colorado. Photo: Jack Affleck - Vail Resorts. Epic Pass expans European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

  • Vail Resorts expands access to seven consecutive days of skiing at Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy with no restrictions, resulting in 26 days of European access 
  • The Epic Pass is the ONLY multi-resort pass to offer significant access to European resorts
  • In one year, the Epic Pass has added access to 20 world-class resorts, inviting guests to experience an unprecedented total of 65 resorts throughout eight countries for $949, offering unlimited, unrestricted access to North America’s best resorts including Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Park City and Breckenridge
  • The last chance to buy the 2018-19 Epic Pass is Sunday, Nov. 18.

Vail Resorts, Inc. announced today that Epic Pass holders will now receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no blackout dates at Les 3 Vallees, France and Skirama Dolomiti in a long-term alliance beginning with 2018-19 winter season. The Epic Pass, available for $949, offers skiers and snowboarders unlimited, unrestricted access to 19 mountain resorts, including world-class destinations like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Breckenridge and Park City, plus additional access to 46 more throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. The Epic Pass is the only multi-resort pass to offer significant access to European resorts. Sunday, Nov. 18 is the last chance to buy the 2018-19 Epic Pass and the entire suite of Epic Season Pass options.

Skiing began in Europe and that storied heritage – along with the incredible terrain and abundant culture – puts Europe on the bucket list of every skier and snowboarder. The Epic Pass was the first multi-resort pass to offer North American and European access and now it offers an even more expansive experience.

Jardin d'enfants in Val Thorens. Photo credit: Les 3 Vallées. Epic Pass expans European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.
Jardin d’enfants in Val Thorens. Photo credit: Les 3 Vallées. Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

“The value of the Epic Pass is giving skiers and snowboarders the flexibility to ski and ride where and when they want,”said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “Our long-term alliances with Europe’s best ski resorts truly put the Epic Pass in a class of its own.”

“Les 3 Vallees is proud to expand the alliance with the Epic Pass and give skiers and snowboarders access to the largest interconnected ski area in the world,” said Vincent Lalanne, general manager of Les 3 Vallées. “We look forward to welcoming Epic Pass holders to experience the French Alps this season.”

Les Trois Vallées, an amazing expanse of pistes and off-pistes to challenge any type of skier. Photo: Les Trois Vallées.Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.
Les Trois Vallées, an amazing expanse of pistes and off-pistes to challenge any type of skier. Photo: Les Trois Vallées.Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest connected ski area, is located in the Tarentaise Valley, in the heart of the French Alps. As implied by its name, the area consists of three valleys: Saint Bon, Les Allues and Les Belleville. The ski area is a network of seven resorts Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle. With 155 lifts, 372 miles (600km) of skiing on 332 marked pistes, Les 3 Vallées offers incredible skiing on high altitude terrain. 85% of the runs are above 5,905 feet (1 800 meters) and Les 3 Vallées is home to Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski resort, at an altitude of 7,545 feet (2 300 meters).

Madonna di Campiglio, part of Skirama Dolomiti. Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.
Madonna di Campiglio, part of Skirama Dolomiti. Epic Pass expands European Access in World-Class Resort in France and Italy: Les 3 Vallées in France and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

South of the Alps, nestled amongst some of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the world such as the Brenta Dolomites and Adamello, is some of the best skiing in Italy. Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta is home to 150 lifts and 236 miles (379 km) of ski slopes that make up acclaimed resorts such as Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo in Val Rendena; Folgarida-Marilleva, Peio and Tonale in Val di Sole; Ponte di Legno, Andalo-Fai della Paganella, Monte Bondone and Folgaria-Lavarone. The winter offering is enriched by the high-quality cuisine and the exclusive “Italian style.”

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Why going to Brides-les-Bains could be a good choice for you, your family and your wallet, if wanting to go to Les Trois Vallées

The village of Brides-les-Bains- Photo Brides-les-Bains Tourism Office. The Must-Read Guide to the Rhône Alpes.

If you look at a ski map of Les Trois Vallées (3 Valleys of France)- the largest ski domaine you see in the middle of the map Meribel, which is known as the heart of Les Trois Vallées. This could be a great resort where to base yourself if you want to ski all over the three valleys. But maybe you should look a bit lower, at 600 meters, it is an easy way to get to, and is connected to all the rest of the three valleys. I am talking about Brides – les – Bains.

Sauna cabin at Brides-les-Bains- Photo by Brides-les-Bains Tourism Office.
Sauna cabin at Meribel- Photo courtesy of Brides-les-Bains Tourism Office.

Maybe not thought as much as a place to stay, but Brides -les -Bains is a town that is opened 11 months of an year, instead of only some months in winter and a couple in summer. Therefore, this makes a bigger population of all-year residents, and prices are much cheaper. They do not need to make in three months their year’s earnings. Rates are between 30 to 50% lower than at the high-altitude resorts in the Three Valleys.

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