At 650 metres above sea level, Brides-les-Bains isn't exactly what you'd call a high-altitude resort. However, this pretty name, not very high up, has a knack for attracting celebrities - at least the overweight ones - from the worlds of film, TV and French chanson. One of them is Véronique Genest, alias the superintendent Julie Lescaut and author of the book 46-38: Guerre et Poids, in which she praises her slimming cure at Brides-les-Bains. The waters of this small Savoyard village have been renowned since Antiquity for their virtues in the treatment of obesity. In the 1870s, crowned heads from all over the world were regular visitors to Brides-les-Bains.
But it was in 1992, thanks to the Albertville Winter Olympics and its transformation into an Olympic village, that the resort was truly resurrected. Thanks to the Olympe cable car, the snow-covered slopes of Méribel are only 25 minutes from the town centre, so today, tranquillity and well-being are on the doorstep of the most beautiful ski area in the world, offering a peaceful alternative to snow sports enthusiasts, including incentive groups. Especially as prices are 30 % to 50 % lower than at altitude. "We're sort of the inventors of low-cost skiing," says Éric Thomas, manager of the Grand Hôtel. In this village of 600 souls, businesses and individuals alike have everything they need within easy reach: casino, hotels, discos, restaurants, cinemas and, of course, the largest spa in the Alps, with 2,100 m2 of wellness facilities! As an alternative to, or in addition to, traditional winter sports activities, the Grand Spa is very popular with groups, as confirmed by Magalie Lelous, assistant manager. "Every winter, we host around five or six incentive events, and generally the organisers book the spa exclusively for half a day, offering them a range of packages such as the 'light legs' package to help them recover after skiing". In this veritable hedonist's palace, everything is in place to give you a Venus or Adonis figure: massages, modelling, seaweed wraps, crushed ice frictions... But above all, short-stay visitors appreciate the welcome reserved for these privileged guests by all the shopkeepers: banners in the streets in the company colours, welcome by the main players in the resort, numerous privatisation possibilities...
Still in the Allues valley, Méribel also cultivates this warm, authentic feel. Built in 1939 in pure Savoyard style, with local stone, wood and roofs covered in traditional Savoy lauze, Méribel has retained its typical mountain village character, despite being a popular resort for the jet-set. "Companies choose Méribel for its skiing and snowshoeing activities, but also for its nature and well-being", says Aurélia Montgourdin, head of seminars at the La Chaudanne hotel, where everything is designed to help guests relax: luxury chalets, spas and hammams galore and, thanks to 16 cable cars and an eight-seater chairlift, no waiting at the lifts. To really make the most of their stay, small groups can stay right on the slopes at the Adray Télébar, a 24-bedroom chalet hotel located at the start of the Adret chairlift, at an altitude of 1,650 m and only accessible from the slopes by snowmobile!
The pleasures of sliding...
In the other valley of the resort, that of Saint-Bon, Courchevel 1850 also plays on the convivial aspect, but it does so in a completely different style. Courch', as the regulars call it, is a little blinged out and glittering. As a result, its twenty or so 5- and 4-star hotels compete with each other to attract an elite clientele. In winter, the wealthy happy few stroll nonchalantly from one hotel to the next. The aim is above all to see and be seen, and to hell with the joys of skiing. In fact, everything is done to spare them the slightest effort. The 'valets skiers' of the luxury boutique hotel Les Airelles, dressed all in white like Alpine hunters, take charge of carrying their equipment.
And then there's Courch', the shower of stars that is the pride of the 3 Vallées. The resort alone boasts seven starred restaurants. It's a strange rise for a resort that was founded in 1946 with the aim of democratising skiing, but which has now become the darling of the international jet set! Yet at the end of the day, when the snow is falling in large flakes, dusting the wooded borders of the little stone chalets with white, Courchevel exudes a certain charm, a little like a picture postcard. All is calm, a horse harnessed to a sleigh is blowing clouds of steam, a few strollers are window-shopping, others are discovering the cuisine of the highly reputed Chabichou and Bateau Ivre restaurants or relaxing in the spas. The scene is set, and it's a dream come true. For a company, it's extremely rewarding to organise an event here," says Adeline Roux, Director of the Tourist Office. But our upmarket image sometimes works against us, because companies think that the resort isn't in their price range. But that's not true! Courchevel has around twenty three-star hotels, most of them large, affordable and perfectly equipped for groups.
Relaxing at the spa after the slopes
Day or night, there is no shortage of activities: snow scooters, sledges, quad bikes, paragliding, hot air ballooning, ice climbing, curling tournaments, gourmet dinners in an authentic woodcutter's hut in the middle of nowhere... "The trend is less towards extremes and more towards enjoying yourself and sharing moments of conviviality", says Christophe Normand, Director of the French Ski School at Courchevel 1850. The ESF has created a business tourism department, Red Ski Organisation, and offers all-inclusive packages, excluding accommodation. "The classic request is for supervision during an activity, skiing or snowshoeing, as well as the organisation of a slalom and the ritual evening toboggan run... But the real magic is to be found during a night outing on a snow scooter!"
As for groups of good skiers, they don't hesitate and opt straight away for a half-day descent to the Vallée des Belleville in Val Thorens. The highest resort in Europe, perched at an altitude of 2,300 metres, it's one of the most adrenalin-pumping in the world! All the winter sports are represented: downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, boardercross, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tobogganing... and even snow mountain biking! At an altitude of 3,000 m, at the foot of the Péclet glacier, a 700 metre vertical drop awaits mountain bikers and sports enthusiasts of all disciplines. After all, it takes a lot of muscle and breath to make it down a 6-kilometre descent! The thrills are guaranteed, especially when the event takes place at night! "This new activity is proving very popular with incentive groups," says Sandrine Piolat, head of the Tourist Office booking office.
The joys of the outdoors and cosy interiors
But the real must is ice driving. On Europe's highest circuit, which hosts one of the events in the Andros Trophy, participants learn to negotiate bends with their pedals to the floor in racing cars. They chase, they spin, they barely pass, but in the end, they do pass! And almost always, the nights end in one of Val Thorens' many trendy establishments. Val Thorens has built up a solid reputation as a cosmopolitan and festive resort, and is the winter meeting place for winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world: 70 % of visitors are foreign, and what's more, they're young - 35 on average.
In the evenings, revellers usually gather in Place Caron, which acts as the town centre. Opposite the legendary Fitz Roy Hotel, they line up in front of the Malaysia, where bands provide the evening's entertainment. The pubs surrounding the square are always packed, with daredevils, and more likely smokers, enjoying a nightcap on the terrace, stretched out on deckchairs with a blanket carelessly thrown over their knees! A little further down the valley, a 10-minute drive away at an altitude of 1,850 metres, Les Menuires, the largest resort in the Belleville valley, can accommodate groups of up to 700 people. Since its creation in the 1960s, it has developed a major hotel infrastructure. "We have 2,600 beds in two- to four-star hotels, tourist residences, holiday clubs including Club Med, and chalets. The latter can be very upmarket and have private swimming pools," explains Régine Jay, head of the Tourist Office. But the real signature of the resort, its style and image, is its architecture. Created at the end of the 1960s, the resort boasts four decades of mountain architecture, the styles of which have left their mark on its various districts. The oldest districts, La Croisette, Brelin and Preyerand, for example, are made up of buildings with sober, uncluttered lines. There's no superfluity, no fuss, just functionality: skiers set off with their skis on, then stroll through a network of shopping arcades, lifts and cable cars.
Built later, in the 1980s and 1990s, the neighbourhoods of Reberty, Bruyères and Fontanettes, for their part, play on tradition: residences limited to six storeys, with pitched roofs and wooden facades. Finally, there are recent developments such as Les Montagnettes 3 Vallées, Le Hameau des Marmottes and Les Alpages de Reberty, which offer luxury homes built in pure Savoyard style: stone, wood and pitched roofs. Businesses are attracted not only by the diversity of the hotels, but also by the possibility of skiing non-stop for a whole day, in the valley and following the sun.
Another of the resort's assets is its many off-piste itineraries. Supervised by an ESF instructor, groups of a dozen people set off for a half-day hike off the beaten track, whatever their level of skiing. "In general, I offer a snack break in the heart of nature, with a menu featuring local produce. They're delighted because they discover unspoilt spots like the little village of Les Bruyères", says Guy-Aimé Hudry, director of the ESF. In the same spirit, companies are choosing the small neighbouring resort of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville for more confidential, upmarket snow breaks. "We receive small groups of around thirty people who are looking for a certain authenticity with direct access to the 3 Valleys", explains Stéphanie Caron, head of the Tourist Office, who explains that the programme includes snowshoeing and dog-sledding, cultural heritage discovery and cookery lessons at La Bouitte, which has two Michelin stars, followed by a gourmet dinner. Because as we all know, after the effort comes the comfort...
How to get there
By plane
Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Geneva, Chambéry and Grenoble airports are served daily by scheduled flights operated by numerous airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Easyjet, Flyglobespan, Jet2.com, Flybe, Bmibaby, Ryanair and Thomsonfly.
For further information, please contact www.gva.ch (Geneva), www.chambery-airport.com, www.grenoble-airport.com and www.lyon.aeroport.fr
By train
From Paris Gare de Lyon, several stations in the 3 Vallées have TGV services, including Albertville, Chambéry and Moûtiers.
Information: SNCF 36 35 or www.voyagessncf.Com
There are also shuttle buses to the ski resorts. Information www.altibus.com
Hotels
Brides-Les-Bains : Grand Hôtel Des Thermes
It's one of the spa resort's institutions! Right in the heart of the village and just 150 metres from the Olympe cable car leading to the 3 Vallées ski area, this three-star Belle Epoque-style hotel is directly linked by a covered walkway to the Grand Spa des Alpes. It has 98 rooms and two suites, a 302-cover dietetic restaurant, 6 seminar rooms for up to 140 people, a dietetic cooking academy, a Spa with heated outdoor and indoor pools, hammam, sauna, whirlpool and fitness room. The hotel can be privatised and offers a range of activities for groups: cookery classes, skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, massages, etc. Note that the hotel is completing renovation work in order to obtain its fourth star.
Parc Thermal. - Tel: 04 79 55 38 38 - Fax: 04 79 55 28 29 Internet: www.grand-hotel-brides.com
Courchevel : Mercure Courchevel
Situated on the banks of Lac du Biolley, at the foot of the ski slopes, this cosy three-star hotel boasts the largest auditorium in Savoie: 450 seats. It also has a 1,000 m2 conference centre with direct private access to the lobby. 127 rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and two restaurants: La Laiterie with a capacity of 150 to 220 covers and a covered terrace, and La Montagnette serving Savoyard cuisine for up to 120 guests.
Jardin Alpin district. - Tel: 04 79 08 11 23 - Fax: 04 79 08 18 62 - Internet : www.mercure.com
Les Menuires & Saint-Martin :
- Les Bruyères
This three-star hotel combines comfort, modernity and practicality. Clinging to the slopes of La Masse, it overlooks the Les Menuires ski area. Its 95 south-facing rooms are all equipped with modern working facilities: flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi Internet access, etc. It also has four meeting rooms for up to 150 people, a wellness area with sauna, hammam, spa, massage and fitness rooms, and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Tel: 04 79 00 75 10 - Fax: 04 79 00 70 70 E-mail: rmh@latitudeshotels.com Internet : www.latitudes-hotels.com
- Chalet-Hotel Kaya
At the top of Les Menuires, two traditional chalets (four stars) offer trendy, urban accommodation... accessible with skis on. Luxurious but not ostentatious, the décor uses traditional materials such as stone, larch and slate, with a zen feel and sober tones. The fifty or so rooms, including four suites and a prestige suite, all have balconies and southern exposure. Ideal for small VIP groups. There is a 45-seat conference room, a 190-cover gourmet restaurant (70 on the terrace), an organic spa, swimming pool, sauna and steam room.
Tel: 04 79 41 42 00 - Fax: 04 79 41 42 01 - E-mail: info@hotel-kaya.com - Internet : www.hotel-kaya.com
Méribel : La Chaudanne
These three chalets, Chaudanne, Eterlou and Tremplin, are designed in the purest tradition: carved stone, sculpted wood, fireplaces... with skis on! Their 155 bedrooms and 24 flats are "just like home". Guests can choose between Le Saint-Claude (240 covers), La Grange and La Kouisenà (150 covers each). For midday snacks or lunch, Les Pierres Plates awaits at the summit of the 3 Vallées. 15 seminar rooms, a 180 m2 flexible plenary room, two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a wellness area with spa, saunas, steam rooms and squash courts.
Tel: 04 79 08 61 76 - Fax: 04 79 08 57 75 - E-mail: infos@chaudanne.com - Internet : www.chaudanne.com
Val Thorens : The Fitz Roy
This is the institution of Val Thorens and the highest four-star hotel in Europe: 2,300 m! The first floor, comprising two suites and one bedroom, sleeps 11 and can be made private. La Table du Roy serves refined cuisine prepared by Michelin-star Nadège Serret. Seminar room for 80 people, spa, swimming pool, balneotherapy centre and fitness room. On the ground floor, the hotel plans to convert its boutique into a business centre.
Place de l'Eglise - Tel: 04 79 00 04 78 Fax: 04 79 00 06 11 - E-mail: welcome@hotelfitzroy Internet : www.hotelfitzroy.com
Restaurants
Brides-Les-Bains : Le Grand Hôtel
Dietetic cuisine served in a large Belle Epoque-style dining room (302 covers).
73571 Brides-Les-Bains - Tel.: 04 79 55 38 38 Internet: www.grand-hotel-brides.com
Courchevel :
- Le Chabichou
This is one of the best restaurants in Savoie! On the terrace or in the large dining room, Michel Rochedy, winner of two Michelin macaroons, offers inventive cuisine including Lake Geneva féra, stuffed saddle of rabbit, wild arctic char... Best reserved for privileged guests. Plans call for a conference room and a balneotherapy centre by the end of 2011.
Rue des Chenues, 73121 Courchevel 1850 Tel: 04 79 08 00 55 Internet : www.chabichou-courchevel.com
- Le Chalet De Pierre
For more than 25 years, owner Yvette Sax has been welcoming groups (300 people max.) to this unusual chalet. Enjoy traditional cuisine around a cosy log fire or on the sunny terrace.
BP 31, 73122 Courchevel - Tel: 04 79 08 18 61 Internet : www.chaletdepierres.com
- The Pilatus
Just a stone's throw from the Altiport, traditional Savoyard dishes in a typical mountain setting, in the dining room or on the terrace. 350 covers.
Altiport Piste de Pralong, 73121 Courchevel 1850 - Tel: 04 79 08 20 49 - E-mail: philippe@altibar.com - Internet: www.altibar.com
Les Menuires & Saint-Martin : La Bouitte
Not far from Les Menuires, in an authentic chalet, this two-star gourmet restaurant offers highly inventive cuisine! René and Maxime Meilleur, father and son, skilfully combine sweet and savoury dishes, spiced up with Alpine herbs: caramelised veal sweetbreads with Agria apples, duck foie gras escalope on a corn cake, candied late mandarins... A real treat! On-site: 8 rooms and cookery classes for groups of 8. Plans for 2011 include the opening of a 35-room 5-star hotel and spa with restaurant and seminar rooms.
Hameau de Saint-Marcel, 73440 Saint-Martin-de-Belleville Tel: 04 79 08 96 77 - Internet : www.la-bouitte.com
Val Thorens :
- La Fruitiere Et La Folie Douce
On the Plein Sud dance floor, in a building decorated like a dairy cooperative, you'll find two catering outlets: La Fruitière for gourmet meals and La Folie Douce, a self-service restaurant with an open-air dancefloor bar!
Piste Plein Sud TS Plein Sud, 73440 Val Thorens Tel: 04 79 00 04 27 E-mail : dom.tournier@valthorens.com
- La Marine
Built from the old timbers of an old farmhouse, this high-altitude restaurant serves grandma-style cuisine in a quirky marine décor: beef cheek casserole with red wine, calf's head with gribiche sauce, homemade pot-au-feu... Up to 110 people can be catered for in the dining room and 120 on the terrace. Adjoining the restaurant is a Mongolian yurt for 15 people.
73440 Val Thorens - Tel: 04 79 00 01 86 Internet : www.chaletmarine.com
- L'Oxalys
This is the restaurant where one of France's youngest Michelin-starred chefs, Jean Sulpice, officiates. Trained by Marc Veyrat, this prodigy of the kitchen delights the palate with exceptional recipes using only seasonal produce, while his wife Magali, a sommelier, introduces customers to rare wines. The restaurant is part of the Oxalys residence, which has 36 flats, a 50-seat seminar room, two wellness areas, a swimming pool, whirlpool bath and spa. The different areas can be privatised and cooking classes can be organised for small groups.
73440 Val Thorens - Tel: 04 79 00 12 00 Fax: 04 79 00 24 10 - E-mail: restaurant@oxalys.com Internet: www.jean-sulpice.com
Conference centre
Courchevel :
Jardin Alpin Conference Centre A 380-seat auditorium and 12 meeting rooms for 20 to 100 people.
Tel: 04 79 08 89 35/33 - E-mail: info@courchevel.com Internet : www.courchevel.com
Méribel :
Auditorium Capacity: 317 seats.
Tel: 04 79 00 50 00 - Fax: 04 79 00 31 19 E-mail: m.e.l@wanadoo.fr - Internet : www.meribel.net
Olympic Park A modular hall seating 300 people, 6 meeting rooms seating 12 to 45 people and 1 auditorium seating up to 350 people. The Olympic ice rink can be converted into a 2,000-seat conference room.
Tel: 04 79 00 58 21 - Fax: 04 79 00 59 96 E-mail: parc.olympique@meribel.net - Internet : www.meribel.net
Reception
Red Ski Organisation
6, allée des Mitaillères, 38240 Meylan - Tel.: 04 76 90 67 36 Website: www.red-ski-organisation.com
Information
Moûtiers Association Les 3 Vallées
Place de la Gare, BP 62, 73602 Moûtiers Cedex Tel: 04 79 24 07 77 - Fax: 04 79 24 77 70 - Internet : www.les3vallees.com
Brides-Les-Bains : Brides-les-Bains Tourism and Development
BP 28, 73572 Brides-les-Bains Cedex - Tel. 04 79 55 24 24 - Internet : www.brideski.com
Courchevel : Courchevel Tourisme
Le cœur de Courchevel, BP 37, 73122 Courchevel Cedex Tel: 04 79 08 89 33 - Fax: 04 79 00 49 27 - Internet : www.courchevel.com
Les Menuires & Saint Martin Tourist office
73440 Les Menuires. Tel. 04 79 00 73 00 Fax: 04 79 00 75 06 - Internet : www.lesmenuires.com
Méribel :Méribel Tourisme
BP 1, 73550 Méribel - Tel: 04 79 00 50 00 - Fax: 04 79 00 31 19 Internet : www.meribel.net
Val Thorens : Val Thorens reservation
73440 Val Thorens - Tel: 04 79 00 01 06 Fax: 04 79 00 06 49 - Internet: www.valthorens.com
