Exceptional December Snowfalls in the Northern Alps
Global warming and the credit crunch, these dual threats have saved the French Alps, leastwise for this Christmas. However it may have been so altogether contrary. Ahead of Christmas towns in the Meribel region were isolated as snow came down. Motorway routes such as the important Col du Val-d Isere were cut. There was no power or phone lines, locals were evacuated to temporary accommodation, it looked as if it were a double of 1996.
It seems that all promotion is good promotion. Espace Killy appeared nightly on French news bulletins. Immediately power was fixed inquiries started to come in, pulled in by the excellent skiing conditions.
Verchaix and nearby Blanc Chamonix claim virtually 5.5 feet snow on the top slopes at 2500 meters alt. and 2.2 meters at the base of the resorts. Currently the best in the Alps. Les Arcs states there is three metres at the top of the resort. Unluckily snow drifts have damaged a support of the ski lift that goes up to the domain. It will be broken till the middle of Jan.
Elsewhere in the S. Alps inquiries have increased 20% in Chastreix-Sancy, Les Arcs and Val Thorens. Meribel has 99.1% tenancy and distributed a record number of ski passes on Wednesday. This is welcoming news for big skiing firms.
