SKI HISTORY: In search of "White Gold"

A look at the history of ski resorts in France reveals some common themes: rural depopulation in the Alpine valleys, virgin snowfields in the mountains above.  Not to mention some pioneers clever enough (or crazy enough) to see the potential of a ski resort.  Each had their own vision for bringing the rewards of l'or blanc to their part of the Alps.

A quick mine of YouTube finds many of these stories caught on film.

First up, Val Thorens (or should we say Val Thorens United).  Their 40th birthday video includes interviews with various local luminaries, from the early days through to current Tourist Office Director Gregory Guzzot.

Further south, the Isola 2000 story starts at the end of the second world war, with Italy ceding the  land above the village of Isola (Tinée valley) to France in 1947.  The history is interesting: a British developer, arguments about the access road, and a ski resort (Azur 2000) that was never built.  Here's a short film:

For a longer video, covering the story in quite some detail, click here.

Isola 2000's neighbour, Auron, is rather older, with the story of its first 70 years set out in this 2007 video.  Take a look at the newsreel celebrating the launch of the telecabine (at 4 mins), and various ski racers struggling with the long skis.  Finally, things start to get a little easier - as witnessed by the local ESF demonstrating their 1970s turns (12 mins):

Back in the Tarentaise, here's a video celebrating La Plagne's 50th birthday in 2011.  For more on the history of La Plagne click here.

Meanwhile, in Les Arcs, this video describes the grands travaux put in place by Robert Blanc, Roger Godino, Charlotte Perriand et al.  More on the history of Les Arcs here.

SNOWBOARDING IN 2014: Four Very Important Questions

1.  Is snowboarding on the increase?  No, quite the contrary, although it is stronger in North America than in Europe.  In France and Switzerland the percentage of slope users who are snowboarding ranges from 6% to 17%.

2.  Is snowboarding safer than skiing?  It's not entirely clear.  There is certainly a fair amount of research showing that snowboarders are more likely to get injured.  For example, this study from the US found that, in Taos, the injury rate rose from 206.7 per 100,000 before snowboarders were allowed to 233.8 after the ban was lifted. On the other hand, there is evidence indicating that snowboarders are less likely to be killed. Other factors - such as the younger age profile of snowboarders, and their greater propensity to wear helmets - probably need to be factored in before we have the definitive study.  In the meantime snowboarders need to protect themselves against distal radius fractures, while skiers run the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries....

3.  Is snowboarding protected by the American constitution?  It seems we are about to find out , with a test case now going through the courts.  The Utah resort of Alta has banned snowboarders since the 1980s, but a a lawsuit has just been filed to challenge this, on the basis that it is in breach of the 14th Amendment of the US constitution.  Two other US resorts, Deer Valley and Mad River Glen also ban snowboarding, but they (unlike Alta) are on private land.

4.  Will Britain win medals for snowboarding at the Sochi Olympics?  Well, we certainly have a team, and Eddie Eagle-esque they are not.  Apparently, 1-2 medals are expected from skiing and snowboarding this February.  Here are the Twitter accounts of some of the British snowboarders: @billymorgan89, @jennyjonessnow, @aimee_fuller, @OrmerodKate:

COULD BE WORSE: The 2013/14 Season So Far

Today's Le Dauphiné report early season figures showing a 5% fall in numbers using French ski lifts.

It all started so well, with many resorts across France able to open their slopes during November.

Now, with the exception of the Pyrenees, snow cover is well below expectations for January.

Worst hit are the southern Alps, Isere/Drome, the Vosges and the Jura.

The 5% fall is not yet deemed to be a disaster, however:

1.  It's still early days, with only a quarter of the season to go
2.  Last year's early season was exceptional, both in terms of snow and helpful school holiday calendars  which gave the resorts three "good weeks" during the festive period
3.  When compared with the last 4 years, these figures are 10% above the average
4.  Figures for hotel/accommodation operators are apparently rather more encouraging: 
"There have been loads of people in the resorts.  A few less on the pistes", reports Le Dauphiné

Click here for more on the French ski market.

Megeve earlier this week.
Snow cover "OK, but..."