Leave a Comment
New bridge in St Gervais
Works are continuing on the bridge to span the Bonnant Gorge. Anyone who has been here on holiday during peak season may be familiar with the traffic that can build up. The new bridge will alleviate this problem and the traffic heading for Megève, Albertville, and the ski area cable car will be diverted away from the town centre over the new bridge.
The 710m bridge will include a pedestrian walkway and a cycle lane, making access from the town centre to the cable car much easier by foot. In addition, plans are being considered to allow the Tramway du Mont Blanc to use it, further linking the train station to the town. St Gervais will benefit from a reduction in traffic, noise and pollution and will become much more pleasant for pedestrians which should all help increase its already existing charm.
The bridge is also going to include a bungee jumping area underneath for those looking for an adrenaline rush and wanting to dive into the impressive gorge.
The project has been a huge undertaking and was even envisaged as early as the 1930′s, but finally saw the light of day when the site opened in 2010. Partial opening of the bridge is due at the end of 2011 and full opening in 2012.
Properties that are on offer through Alpine Property that will in the near future, be able to claim being within walking distance of the lifts include:
LOADS OF SNOW!!
There is loads of snow and the skiing is superb!! There are only a few spaces left with BASS Megeve so if you’re heading out for the first weeks of the season and want British tuition get booked up before all the space is gone. BASS Megeve
Winter 2010/11
The winter season is fast approaching!! And in the Evasion ski domain (which incorporates St Gervais, Les Contamines and Megève) you still have until the 15th November to purchase a season pass at a reduced rate. The full adult season pass is 496€, saving you 178€ on the normal price if you purchase it after that date.
Not sure you’ll be able to make the most of it? You need to ski around 13 days in the season to make it worthwhile buying, if not, the other pass option work out cheaper. A normal 6 day pass is 179E for adults and 144 E for children but there are many different options and discounts depending on group size.
Passes can be purchased on line here http://www.stbma.fr/Saison and season ones come with a present, which in previous years has been St Gervais branded lanyards, key rings, neck fleeces and bags. When purchased from the Megeve side, they are offering free access to the swimming pool for the season.
If you’re planning to come out to ski St Gervais or Megeve then be sure to download the FREE iphone application. It has all the details on the resort such as the weather forecast, snow depth, lift opening times, webcams and all the week’s events. But perhaps its best feature is the geo-position function which shows you your exact piste location, itinerary and speed. This should put an end to the interminable après-ski arguments of just who went the fastest, as well as providing vital information when you “loose” your group on the mountain!
To download this application visit the APP STORE and type « Saint-Gervais »
Finally, some new developments in the village have been spotted. An outdoor ice rink has been added to the centre of St Gervais and should provide a popular and picturesque activity in the winter months. And, the lift company has taken pity on young skiers in bad weather conditions and constructed a special covered lift system for them. Beginners using the magic carpet lift at Bettex’s nursery slope will now be able to travel in comfort through the wood and glass tunnel. Rumour has it, it will also be heated. What a great idea!
To plan a ski holiday in St Gervais see:
www.evasion74.com and www.holidayinalps.com for self catered accommodation
www.haute-altitude.com for a catered chalet holiday
www.resortrides.com for a door to door airport transfer service
and www.bassmegeve.com for you ski lessons.
What are you waiting for!
St Gervais Agricultural Fair
This Sunday, St Gervais is holding its annual agricultural fair. Local farmers from the region, and related Associations, take part presenting cattle raising, and many other alpine traditions in a convivial atmosphere. The fair includes all kinds of stands and local produce, such as wine and cheese (but of course) along with cattle judging, traditional crafts and demonstrations, music and food. The town centre is covered in sawdust and straw and cow herds are displayed by farmers in traditional costume. It’s a great family day out, always well attended by locals and usually takes place under a sunny blue October sky.
For further details see the St Gervais office de Tourisme. www.st-gervais.net
St Gervais’ ice rink
Fire and Ice – St Gervais’ ice rink gets a new solar powered roof
St Gervais’ ice rink, built almost 50 years ago, is currently undergoing significant works and over 3.7 million Euros of investment to bring it up to date.
Among some of the modifications, the roof is being replaced to bring in into line with new insulation standards and to also allow it to house solar panels. The 1244m2 of roof space dedicate to solar will in fact be rented out to a company who will place it’s panels and then resell the electricity generated to the grid. Not only will the commune benefit from the rent made on the roof space but, after 25 years when the lease expires, they will become the owners of the panels and will be in turn able to sell the energy back to the grid.
Among other changes to the facility is the addition of 8,500 LED lights to illuminate the sides of the building.
The works are scheduled to be finished by end of 2010 so that it can open for the winter season, however, on the 11 August the ice rink will be opening to the public for an ABBA tribute band concert. For tickets see the office de tourisme site http://www.st-gervais.net/fr/detail_actu.aspx?Id=461#a
The ice rink’s update is an important venture given Annecy’s candidature for the 2018 Winter Olympics which would see St Gervais, as well as other towns in the Alps (Chamonix, Megève, Morzine / Avoriaz, Flaine, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Les Houches, La Plagne) hosting some of the games.
Furthermore, this is just part of the many ongoing investments in the town which, in the future, will include a new sport’s facility, new indoor and outdoor pools, a new school and nursery complex, and a major bridge and road diversion project. These, and the current ongoing facade repainting and general amelioration of the town centre, means that St Gervais has been polished and preened to the point it is unrecognisable from where it was even 7 years ago.
More snow as season expands in South America
Argentina’s winter season gets underway this weekend whilst Chile’s Portillo has postponed its opening date by a week
According to the weather forecast generated on Thursday 17 June, Argentina’s winter season is due to get off to a snowy start with our reported resorts of Cerro Catedral and Las Lenas both expecting snow ahead of their 2010 opening on Saturday 19 June.
Both resorts are expecting snow over the course of Thursday and Friday, 40cm in Las Lenas and 17cm at Cerro Catedral, which should provide some excellent conditions for visitors taking the first runs of the season over the coming weekend.
Maria Riesch: engagement to her manager
After two times gold, now silver: Maria Riesch, the German female superstar who won two gold medals at the Vancouver Olympics, got engaged to her manager Marcus Höfl – with silver rings.
At the Olympic Games in Vancouver Maria Riesch (25) cleaned up properly by grabbing gold twice. On top of that she found a new boyfriend. Shortly after the Olympics it was announced that the Ski Queen is in a relationship with her manager Marcus Höfl (36). "We looked at ourselves and knew we are meant for each other," Maria Riesch said at the time.
Now their mutual love has lead them to make the next step: according to the ‘Bild’ the two got engaged. They bought the silver rings in Munich.
Apparently there is not going to be a big engagement party. Also there has not been a date set for the wedding.
Marcus Höfl is very influential in the German sports: not only does he manage Maria Riesch but also Franz Beckenbauer and Boris Becker.
The world’s longest indoor ski slope
Reports are coming through about a new indoor slope planned for China that’ll be the longest in the world at 1km, tapping into the demand in China for indoor slopes, which already has six.
The world’s longest indoor ski slope
China will open the world’s longest indoor ski slope yet, when the first 1 kilometre long (3,300ft) indoor slope will open in the city of Guangzhou (pictured right) near Hong Kong.
Guangzhou will feature a slope of 1000m in length and has 100 million people living within a radius of 100km.
The new indoor snow slope will probably be the country’s seventh, and the fourth to be named after Olympic ice skater Ye Qiaobo, who won medals in speed skating at the 1992 and 1994 Olympic Winter Games and has subsequently developed a love of skiing, in common with millions of other Chinese people.
The new indoor slope will be nearly twice as long as the current longest indoor slope at Amneville in France, which is reported to have been extended to 600m, overtaking the previous longest in Germany and The Netherlands
BASS Megeve to work with Gap Ski and Dive
Next season 2010/2011 BASS Megeve will be delivering the training for the new Gap Year Provider; Gap Ski and Dive.
To read the news release click on the link below;
BASS Megeve GSD News Release May 10
