The Truth Bar

Climate change and the recession, these dual perils have let off the French Alps, at least for this Christmas. However it may have been so altogether contrary. Before the holidays villages in the Montroc region were cut off when heavy snow rained down. Dual carriage way passes such as the busy Col du La Tania were cut. There was no power or telephones, locals had to be moved out to make shift accommodation, it looked as if it were a repetition of 1996.

It looks that all publicity is good publicity. Plateau de Beille featured nightly on the French news. As soon as electricity was fixed bookings commenced to pour in, attracted by the good skiing conditions.

Brevent and neighbouring Superbagneres lay claim to almost 3 feet depth on the top slopes at 2100 metres elevation and 2.5 meters at the bottom of the resorts. Presently a record for France. Flaine reports there is five m at the top of the resort. Regrettably avalanches have knocked over a pylon of the chair lift which serves the area. They are out of action till mid Feb.

In other places in the Southern Alps ski breaks bookings are up 20% in Verchaix, Flegere and Espace Killy. Chatel has 99.3% occupancy and distributed a record number of lift passes during Friday. This is good for large skiing businesses.