Author: Romain Boisaubert

If you're looking for a holiday in the mountains where you can ski with your family or friends on the slopes of the world's largest ski area, Méribel has some great deals for you. Your next holiday in Savoie at a reduced price? It's possible with Méribel's Happy Ski "accommodation + ski pass "* package! To take advantage of it, simply select the accommodation of your choice from among those offered on the resort's website. Before finalising your order, you'll also be able to take advantage of a discount on your ski passes (-20 % on the 6-day pass).

Snowfarming is a technique used by some winter sports resorts to conserve snow so that there is enough for the start of the following season. The technique, which originated in Scandinavian countries, is beginning to spread to other European countries, particularly France, as Julien Lizeroux explained in an interview with Le Petit Montagnard. The aim is to recover the snow at the end of the season and store it in tarpaulins or sawdust," explains the former slalom and combined runner-up. Around 30% lost...

With the high-altitude resorts already a month away from opening their ski areas, the first figures for mountain holiday bookings are in. And it's a pretty good sign for our resorts! With just a month to go before the first slopes open in Savoie (Tignes and Val Thorens open on 25 November), the first bookings have been made. With a slight lead of 0.7% over the same period last year, winter sports fans are already turning out in force. All this despite an expected slight rise in ski pass prices, of between 6 and 7%...

The full route of the 111th edition of the Tour de France has been unveiled, with a finish in Nice for the very first time in its history, due to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Seven mountain stages will be on the programme of this 2024 Grande Boucle. Discover the details of these stages, with Christian Prudhomme's commentary on each of them. LIRE AUSSI: 2 Alpes: prices, programme, access... Everything you need to know about the Swnowboard Cross World Cup Stage 4 (138 km): Pinerolo (ITA)/Valloire "The race will leave Italy after a long climb towards the...

Winter tyres are compulsory for driving in the 34 départements that have signed up to the Loi Montagne. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in a fine of up to €135. Formerly known as snow tyres, the term winter tyres is now used to emphasise that this type of tyre is suitable for all winter conditions, not just snow. There are 2 types of marking: Manufacturers recommend that winter tyres should always be fitted in fours, whether your vehicle has two or four wheel drive. Winter tyres offer enhanced safety...

Les 2 Alpes has been chosen by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to host a stage of the Snowboard Cross World Cup (1-2 December 2023). This is the second year running that the Isère ski resort has hosted the competition. Tomorrowland Winter 2024: Tickets still available! "Les 2 Alpes made its return to the international scene by hosting a Snowboard Cross World Cup at the beginning of December 2022. This year again, the stage on 1 and 2 December 2023 will officially mark the opening of the Cup...

The Hautes-Alpes resort is modernising its ski area this winter with the replacement of the Rocher de l'Aigle chairlift with a new gondola lift. With 10 seats per gondola and a journey time divided by three, with a speed of 7 metres per second compared with 2.5 metres for the old chairlift, the Rocher de l'Aigle link promises a high throughput at the start of the new ski season. A new gondola lift that also requires fewer towers, down from 24 to 11. The old chairlift has been "recycled to 95%". The...

The new Glacier gondola will be launched on 16 December 2023. A new chapter was turned at the end of last winter with the dismantling and sale of the Bellecôte gondola lifts. While the departure site for the new Glacier gondola remains the same (Roche de Mio), the line will follow a new trajectory to arrive at an altitude of 3,080 m, in a new sector anchored in the rock. ALSO READ: Up to -40% on ski passes at La Plagne! After an ascent of just ten minutes, skiers and pedestrians will discover a landscaped area...

To kick off its winter season, the Savoyard resort has put together an exceptional offer with ski passes up to -40% on the La Plagne and Paradiski areas. Several offers (13-64 years) are available, ranging from 6 to 8 days, over all the weeks of the season. From 198 euros for 6 days From 6 to 12 January, for example, you will need to pay just 198 euros for a 6-day pass, 230 euros for a 7-day pass and 261 euros for an 8-day pass. For Christmas week, from 23 to 29 December, you will need to...

The record for the number of visitors to the mountains has been broken for the second time, with summer tourism up 2% on the 2022 season. The mountains are popular, even in summer. This is the result of the tremendous work done by our resorts to develop their new operating model, which is now based on four seasons. Why property is still a safe bet in the mountains Some departments that have historically been associated with the mountains in the minds of our fellow citizens, such as Savoie and Haute-Savoie, are even among the Top 20 most popular French destinations this summer, in the middle of the...

A major player in the ski lift and cable transport industry, Poma is one of France's leading companies. The history of Poma dates back to 1936, when Jean Pomagalski, a French engineer, founded the company in Grenoble, France. SEE ALSO: VIDEO: Discovering abandoned ski resorts In its early days, the company focused mainly on manufacturing ski equipment and ski lifts for ski resorts and ski areas in the French Alps. At the origin of the Aiguille du Midi cable car Over the years, Poma has developed an expertise in the...

The drought which has been affecting France for several weeks now has also spread to the mountains. With sometimes critical consequences. In the department of Haute-Savoie (74), some rivers have seen their flow eight times lower than normal. How big is Mont Blanc now after its two-metre fall? "Usually, in our mountain climate, when autumn arrives, the fog and light rain help to moisten the soil", confided Bruno Foret, President of SM3A, the syndicat mixte d'aménagement de l'arve et de ses affluents, in a TF1 report. But this year, the...

The budget needed to climb Mont Blanc can vary considerably depending on a number of factors, including your level of mountaineering experience, whether you use guides, and the time of year you choose to climb. To climb Mont Blanc, you must first obtain a permit, known as a "mountaineering card", which can cost several hundred euros. There may also be a charge for staying in Alpine refuges. If you have no mountaineering experience, it is strongly recommended that you hire a mountain guide. The cost of a guide...

The Pyrenees offer a wealth of magnificent hiking opportunities, with breathtaking scenery and a wide variety of levels of difficulty. What should you do if you come across patous on your walks? Here's a list of the top ten walks in the Pyrenees: Cirque de Gavarnie (France) This walk takes you through the Gavarnie cirque, with its famous waterfall and spectacular views of the cliffs. Mont Perdu (France/Spain) This hike follows the border between France and Spain and offers spectacular views of the Mont Perdu massif. Ordesa National Park...

Gratin dauphinois takes its name from the Dauphiné region. A dish with rural roots, based around three simple ingredients: potatoes, milk and cream. The recipe for gratin dauphinois may vary slightly from region to region, but the key is to layer potatoes with a cream and milk-based preparation. Then simply bake in the oven until creamy and golden brown. Recipe: How to make a successful home-made tartiflette? Here's a simple recipe to make your own tartiflette...

As part of the strategy it has been pursuing since Stéphane Valeri took over as Chairman and CEO, the Monte-Carlo Group Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) completed the acquisition of the Palace des Neiges in Courchevel 1850 on Tuesday 3 October. It is in the prestigious Savoyard resort, in the heart of the Jardin Alpin district, among the leading players in the luxury hotel sector, that this strategy finds its first fulfilment with the acquisition of the "Palace des Neiges". The first objective is to carry out a major renovation, so that the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains Group can soon bring all its know-how and expertise to bear...

It was in the 1940s that the Canadian scientist is said to have "accidentally" created the very first snow cannon in the laboratory. He and other researchers were trying to develop a device for spraying chilled water to test the effects of icing on jet engines. READ ALSO: Once upon a time, there was Poma, the French ski lift specialist Rather than producing ice, the mechanism produced snow. Although these researchers did not patent their discovery, the fruit of their research inspired three Connecticut ski manufacturers at the turn of the century...

It is one of the most emblematic passes of the Tour de France, as well as being considered one of the most difficult passes in the country. Here are 5 reasons why the Col du Tourmalet is a myth for cycling enthusiasts and mountain lovers alike. ALSO READ: What are the 10 best walks in the Pyrenees? 1. Its altitude The Col du Tourmalet is 2,115 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest passes in the Pyrenees. The panorama from the top...

When it was last measured in 2021, Mont Blanc was estimated to be 4,807.81 metres high, two metres higher than it is today. The roof of the Alps currently measures 4,805.59 metres, according to the latest estimate revealed on Thursday 5 October in Chamonix. This difference can be explained by variations in rainfall over the summer. A phenomenon already observed in the past. Which are the 10 highest peaks in France? Mont Blanc could very well be much higher in two years' time, when the next measurement is taken," reassured Jean des Garets, President of the Haute-Savoie Chamber of Surveyors,...

Before organising your favourite hikes and hitting the trails, Le Petit Montagnard has put together a selection of 5 pairs of reference shoes. Kayland Vitrik GTX: pure performance Are you dreaming of a pair of boots ideal for rough terrain? Thanks to its Gore-Text® membrane, the Vitrik GTX from Kayland is suitable for all surfaces, from mountains to wet trails, all year round. Shoes for slippery and steep terrain, particularly appreciated for their stability and comfort. Price: 100 euros Adidas Terrex AX4 GTX: versatility...