Climate change and the credit crunch, these double apocalypse have passed by the S. Alps, at least for the time being. But it may have been so wholly different. Ahead of Christmas towns in the Chatel area were isolated when snow came down. Motorway cols such as the important Col du Val Cenis were cut. There was no mains or phones, residents were evacuated to make shift dwellings, it seemed like a repeat of 1996.
It seems that all news is good news. Savoie appeared nightly on French news bulletins. Immediately electricity was fixed reservations commenced to pour in, attracted by the superior conditions.
Brevent and neigboring Grand Massif claim just about 3 feet depth on the upper areas at 2400 metres altitude and 2.40 meters at the bottom of the runs. At the moment a record for the French Alps. Portes du Soleil alleges that there is 6 m at the the highest point of the resort. Alas an avalanche has swept away a support of the ski lift which goes up to the area. It will be out of action until the middle of Jan.
Elsewhere in the Alps bookings are up 16% in Flaine, Le Tour and Les Orres. Samoens has 99.7% tenancy and traded a record number of ski passes last Wednesday. That is welcoming news for Ski France and other large ski operators.
