Exceptional Winter Snowfalls for the Southern Alps
Global warming and the recession, these double apocalypse have let off the S. Alps, at least for Christmas. However it could have been so wholly polar. Before the holidays hamlets in the Le Tour area were isolated as snow storms hammered down. Road cols such as the crowded Col du Espace Killy were closed. In that location there was no mains or phone lines, locals had to be evacuated to pro tem housing, it seemed as if it were a repetition of 1997.
It seems that all publicity is good publicity. La Rosiere appeared every evening on national French news. When mains was fixed inquiries commenced to pour in, attracted by the fantastic snowfall.
Serre Chevalier and neighbouring Serre Chevalier lay claim to almost 5 metres base on the higher pistes at 2300 metres elevation and 2.2 m at the end of the resorts. Currently a record for the French Alps. La Plagne says that there is 4 metres at the top of the resort. Unluckily avalanches have damaged a support of the ski lift which accesses the domain. They will be out of commission until the end of Mar.
In other resorts in the Southern Alps bookings have increased 15% in Samoens, Val Thorens and La Rosiere. Les Orres has 99.7% tenancy and sold a record breaking number of passes last Thursday. This is great for luxury ski chalets and large ski businesses.
