Pds gb dossier de presse 2014 250x210 v4

THE UNIQUE “SKI” EXPERIENCE

IN THE PORTES DU SOLEIL

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WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON

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rock the pisteSfestival

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PRESS TRIPS Be our guest!

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PISTE MAP / KEY FIGURES

/ ACCESS & PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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PORTES DU SOLEILCELEBRATES 50 YEARS

OF SKIING

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Great DEALS ON SKIPASSES

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summary

PORTES DU SOLEIL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SKIING

The Portes du Soleil ski area:

pioneering and progressive

A unique place in Alpine history

Skiing started to take off here in the 1950s, when traditionally rural French and Swiss farming villages in the Abondance, Aulps and Illiez valleys developed into ski resorts. And it’s thanks to just a handful of men and women from both sides of the border that the project to link these new resorts succeeded. Olympic downhill champion Jean Vuarnet was among these pioneers; inspired by his travels to the USA, he saw what skiers wanted from resorts and recognised the potential here. Once home, he was convinced that linked resorts were the future, and it’s because of his determination - and his partners’ - that the “Families’ High Route” was born. This new network of ski resorts was a media sensation at the time.

But it wasn’t until 1964’s Lausanne Exposition that the ski area we know as the Portes du Soleil was unveiled for the fi rst time. The name took its inspiration from the “Col des Portes du Soleil”, which is at the heart of the ski area here. With the offi cial public launch over, work continued to keep the French-Swiss adventure alive; ski links and villages were developed, while tourist offi ces and ski lift companies worked together to design new pistes between resorts, promote the area and create a network of routes. The result was France’s fi rst linked ski area, and this new approach to the sport made a pioneer out of the Portes du Soleil.

en.portesdusoleil .com/winter.html


150 years of Tourism in the Swiss Alps

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• First •

major international linked network

• First •

GPS app that gets you home (before ski lifts close)

• First •

to offer an international skipass

• First •

to offer “hands-free” skipass scanner technology

• First •

musical festival up a mountain and on the ski slopes: Rock the Pistes

• First •

ski deal for adult beginners: Youcanski

The Portes du Soleil ski area:

pioneering and progressive

Let’s be clear, running a ski area spanning two countries is no simple matter. There are two different currencies for a start and two different national laws to comply with, while one country belongs to the European Union and the other doesn’t. The key to it all is close co-operation between France and Switzerland. If the ski area has developed such strong ties over the last 50 years, it’s thanks to the solidarity and enthusiasm shared in our village-resorts and by those involved in our ongoing adventure. This explains why meetings in the Portes du Soleil always end with a friendly toast!

Managing the French-Swiss ski area:new challenges every day

Morzine - Le Pléney

• The Abricotine piste •

The story goes that long ago a bunch of friends in the Portes du Soleil - who also happened to be in charge of things here - went to a meeting in one of the Swiss resorts. In keeping with tradition, the visitors were given a little something to go home with, which in this case was a healthy supply of Valais brandy, called Abricotine. Apparently they had a bit of trouble staying upright on the way back, and after a few tumbles the bottles were all broken and the precious liquid lost. So it was no surprise that when they came to name the slope, they didn’t take long to give it the name we know today: Abricotine!

• Mountain sheep on the chairlift! •

During the last century, Swiss hunters let it be known that they needed some more mountain sheep, while their French counterparts wanted some deer. Legend has it that that the French hunters transported around ten mountain sheep up the chairlift to the Swiss side of the ski area, just before the slopes opened! In return, the Swiss hunters pushed the deer over to the French side. It just goes to show that French-Swiss solidarity has been around for a very long time...

• They’ve only gone and moved the border! •

At the end of the 1960s, Chavanettes chairlift set off from Switzerland but arrived in France. The arrangement was a logistical headache, so to sort out the matter, the Swiss and French sides decided to move the border by creating a new terrace at the col, thus providing around 15 metres of new space. Talk about lofty work for a bulldozer! Once again, it’s thanks to French-Swiss friendship that this major project came about.

Stories from the OLD days

Avoriaz - Les Prodains


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• Press trip invitational •

“ 50th Birthday Celebration! ”

From 14/1 to 16/1/2015

come and help us celebrate 50 years of the Portes du Soleil! The trip includes skiing

in the best spots, cool bars, ski challenges and authentic restaurant meals…

Celebrating 50 years

of the Portes du Soleil: Sunday 21 December 2014

The Portes du Soleil ski area opens at 100% from the weekend beginning 20 December and that’s

when we’re going to celebrate our 50th birthday!

On Sunday 21 December, we’d like as many skiers and snowboarders as possible to join us for lots of events,

including a massive game on the slopes with skipasses to win.


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Epic skiing on the French-Swiss border

THE UNIQUE “SKI” EXPERIENCEIN THE PORTES DU SOLEIL

The Portes du Soleil is a huge ski area linking 12 French or Swiss village-resorts. Each resort has its own beautiful location with Lake Geneva on one side and Mont Blanc on the other. On a week’s holiday here, there’s no end of snowy discoveries for skiers and snowboarders at every turn and on every new piste. From dense, wooded valleys to mysterious forests of fi r trees, snow-hounds can also head higher to snow-capped peaks that offer a VIP view of the Dents du Midi mountains, Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva. What’s more, with a Portes du Soleil ski pass, visitors are guaranteed a different ski experience every day; after all, there’s no need to ski the same slope twice here, or eat in the same mountain restaurant two days running...

This huge ski area and variety are what give the Portes du Soleil its excellent international reputation. It’s also rated among the top 10 most beautiful ski areas in the world (L’Express, 2012-2013).


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ski-safari: ONLY In the Portes du Soleil…

Imagine sticking a pin in your piste map and skiing or snowboarding there… that’s what we like to call the Portes du Soleil ski safari experience! With a skipass in your pocket, skiers and boarders can do just that: embark on huge tours but never use the same piste twice, covering a mix of mountain terrain.

This type of epic ski journey - that can easily take a whole day - offers all snow-lovers the chance to see countless stunning mountain locations:

Selected ‘must-ski’ locations Child-friendly skiing

• Indian ski village /Le Territoire du Grand-Cry •

Les Gets

The circuit and village are designed for very young skiers, with tepees, face-painting and treasure hunts…

• Lil’Stash •Avoriaz

A winter playground where children can learn to ride natural obstacles, with tree stumps, benches and log cabins… a great choice of modules just for kids!

• Milka’s purple slope •CHÂTEL

A piste that shows off Alpine wildlife in a fun way. The Super-Chatel sector which surrounds it is an ideal place for beginner skiers and snowboarders to enjoy themselves.

• Children’s Beginners Zone •ABONDANCE

From Essert restaurant terrace - with its stunning view of Mont Grange nature reserve - parents can see their little skiers making their fi rst turns on the purpose-built ski area.

• Swiss Wall •ChampÉry

A legendary piste, reputedly one of the steepest in the world!

• Les Lindarets village • Montriond

Accessed via the Abricotine piste, you can ski through this charming hamlet of chalet-restaurants that’s often under a thick blanket of snow.

• LA TovassiÈre •Morgins

One of the longest slopes in the Portes du Soleil, it’s well away from ski lifts and deep in the forest, offering an all-natural experience in a rugged setting.

• ChamossiÈre sector •Morzine

As well as the 360° Alpine view, the Arbis red piste offers an unspoilt descent and an undulating ride with some intoxicatingly fast sections, thanks to the varying steepness of the terrain.

• Roc d’Enfer circuit •St Jean d’Aulps

This circuit winds through forest over more than 20km in a wild setting with splendid views.

• Linga •Châtel

Ideal for anyone who likes covering a lot of terrain, the Linga red piste has a 1000m descent over 4.4km.

• l’Ourson piste •La Chapelle d’Abondance

You don’t have to be an expert to ski in the trees thanks to the green Ourson slope! This 5km long forest run is an excellent tonic too.


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• Chez Gaby •Val d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin

Rustic-style restaurant with a fantastic view of the Dents du Midi mountains, offering typical Swiss recipes.

• Chez Coquoz •Champéry

Located at the foot of the Dents du Midi mountains, the restaurant has a selection of excellent local wines which enhance the regional dishes on offer. The terrace is a must on a hot sunny day, and when it’s chillier outside, the fireplace will lift your spirits!

• La Grande Ourse •Les Gets

Highest restaurant in the resort, offering refined dining and perhaps the region’s finest view of the Mont-Blanc range.

• Bar Igloo •Avoriaz

The 200m2 igloo is a new addition to the Arare sector; it has ice sculptures and serves aperitifs (among other things) from 1pm.

Use your skipass like a passport…

Our Top 4 bar-restaurants with a stunning setting

New freestyle ski and snowboard facilities

With your Portes du Soleil skipass you can hop over the French-Swiss border and explore two different cultures: Swiss “rösti” and French “Berthoud”! Choose a slope on the French side of the Portes du Soleil with Mont Blanc straight ahead of you, and then do the same on the Swiss side in front of the Dents du Midi. It’s fun comparing the different accents, currencies and traditions of these old neighbours. Naturally, there’s always a warm and friendly welcome for skiers and snowboarders on both sides of the French-Swiss border.

• Pschott canyon •Avoriaz

An ungroomed snowcross zone with piste markers for your safety; the ride follows the canyon’s contours and offers off-piste thrills and spills. It’s unique in the Alps.

• SKI-CROSS •Morgins

With its automatic start gates, the course meets strict FIS regulations over its 1 000 metre ride and 160 metre total drop.

• Superpark - Les Crosets •Champéry

A snowpark offering expert lines and a beginners’ training area in the Micro Park.

• Boarder-Cross • Deborah Anthonioz

Les Gets

Designed in partnership with Deborah Anthonioz, Olympic Snowboard Cross Vice-Champion at the Vancouver winter games in 2010.

• Stash •Avoriaz

With its mix of piste and snowpark, the Stash is still unique in France, with its wooden obstacles scattered liberally around its forest home. Judged best run in the world by CNN in 2014.

• Press trip invitation •

«The Portes du Soleil: is it really as good as they say it is?»

From 30 January 2015 to 1 February 2015, we’re offering you the chance to see

whether the Portes du Soleil is as good as we say it is! Do we really have the steepest

groomed run in the world? Can you really ski over the border?

We hope you’ll be able to come for an original tour of our ski area and village-resorts.


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285SKI Pistes

including

31GREEN

122BLUE

100rED

32BLACK

196ski lifts

21snowparks/boarder-cross/ski-cross

50years old

1300ski instructors

17panoramic viewpoints

90restaurants on the slopes

122 000holiday bed capacity

7.83maverage snowfall each year

1300 artificial snowmakers

PISTE MAP

KEY FIGURES

PISTE MAP

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Portes du Soleil opens from 20/12/2014 to 19/04/2015

Skipass Prices 2014-15

Until 27/3/2015 From 28/3/2015

Adult (1) Child (2) Junior (3) / Senior (4) Adult (1) Child (2) Junior (3) / Senior (4)

1 day 48.50 € 36.00 € 44.00 € 41.00 € 31.00 € 37.00 €

6 days 242.50 € 182.00 € 218.00 € 206.00 € 155.00 € 185.00 €

(1) 20-64 YRS - (2) 5-15 YRS - (3) 16-19 YRS - (4) OVER 65 YRS

• By train •

High-speed TGV access from Paris and Lyon to Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses (France), and to Aigle (Switzerland). Regular shuttles serve the village-resorts.

• By plane •

Geneva International Airport is 1 hour away (59km), with 49 airlines to choose from. Regular shuttles are available to village-resorts.

• By car •

From France, take the A40 autoroute to the foot of the mountains that’s 30 minutes from slopes and village resorts. From Switzerland, follow the A9 highway to Vionnaz or Monthey, only 20 minutes from our village-resorts in Valais.

ACCESS & PRACTICAL INFORMATION

PISTE MAP

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• Châtel •

The new Linga to Super-Chatel link brings two new high-speed detachable chairlifts into service, a 6-seater and a 4-seater. This huge project highlights our resorts’ willingness to make skiers’ lives as easy as possible in the Portes du Soleil with new and even faster links. Total investment: € 16 million.

• Avoriaz •

• New smoother, high-speed detachable chairlifts for Proclou and Seraussaix. Total investment: € 11.5 million.

• Bigger Stash: the Stash’s mix of slope and park just got bigger! It now features 20 new all-wood modules, making a total of 100 natural obstacles dotted around the forest. This “new Stash” offi cially opens on Tuesday 16 December 2014 during the Rock On Ultimate season opener event.

• Widening the lower part of Abricotine piste, the longest slope in the Portes du Soleil, for more fl uid skiing.

• Newly built pump station to carry water from Lake Montriond and guarantee optimum snow cover throughout the Lindarets sector.

• Morzine •

The new Pleney cable car can carry up to 3 000 people per hour. Its “DirectDrive” technology offers several advantages, including 5-8% energy savings and quieter operating levels (by 15 decibels). It also does its bit for the environment, since it doesn’t release waste products into the surroundings.

• Morgins •

The ski-cross created in 2014 is for skiers and snowboarders. With its automatic start gate, it meets FIS regulations over the 1 000-metre course and the 160-metre overall descent. Access is via the 6-seater Bochasses high-speed detachable chairlift.

• Abondance •

The new fun piste for children is accessed via Essert cable car top station.

• La Chapelle d’Abondance •

A new 48 000m3 reservoir has been built to guarantee optimum snow cover on the Cret Beni sector, requiring a total investment of € 1.9 million.

• technology news •

W O R L D E X C L U S I V E !

Here in the Portes du Soleil our mobile app already gives skiers and snowboarders a better experience (it measures speed, gives weather in real time and uses augmented reality technology), but THE big invention for 2014 is a new GPS function that guides you from your resort to your destination, calculating ski routes according to piste closures (should they happen). It also tells skiers when it’s time to head home, so you don’t miss the last ski lift! The Portes du Soleil is the only ski area to offer this service.



€ 108 million invested in the last 5 years,

including € 30 million this year

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.kids.

.EARLY BOOKING.

KIDS GO FREE SPRING DEAL SPRING DEAL

ADULT BEGINNERS ‘YOUCANSKI’ DEAL

(the average French discount is 20%). Child rates also apply up to 15 years old (as opposed to the French average of 13 yrs). Skipasses are free for children under 5yrs.

Valid on all skipasses from 5 to 21 days. Visit en.portesdusoleil.com/lift-tickets-discount.html

25%

15%

10%

5%

children’s skipasses are 25% cheaper than adults’

discounts apply for all reservations made before 30 September 2014

discounts for all reservations from 1/10 to 31/11

discounts apply from 1/12 to 7/12

From 28 March 2015, children’s skipasses (-12 yrs) are free when booked as part OF an all-inclusive adult package (skipass and accommodation) lasting at least 2 nights with a minimum of 3 days’ skiing.

the first all-inclusive ski deal for adultsIncludes lessons + ski gear + skipass so you can learn the easy way. Only available by pre-booking; 3-day or 6-day options available, dates vary.

en.portesdusoleil.com/learn-to-ski-this-winter.html

.5 HOUR SKIPASS

.FLASH SALES.

ROCK THE PISTES FESTIVAL

(internet bookings only, applies outside school holidays)

25%

So you can have a lie-in on holiday!

Ski for less on Tuesdays and Thursdays

From 14 to 21 March, the Portes du Soleil will be hosting live performances on the slopes and activities on the pistes; access them all with your skipass.

discount on all normal Portes du Soleil skipass tariff

Great deals ON SKIPASSES

Great deals on skipass

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A unique music festival for skiers and boarders in Europe!

• MUSIC •

Imagine a festival where the stage is at least 1500 metres up a snowy mountain...what’s more, the stage is only built on the morning of the concert once it’s been dragged up a mountain by a huge piste basher or a helicopter. Once they’re ready, these venues host international artists who often arrive in hats and gloves before performing one-off concerts on the ski slopes. It’s a pop-rock festival that lasts several days with early afternoon shows in different resorts all over the ski area. With Mont Blanc and the Dents du Midi mountains providing the stunning backdrop, performers and fans can experience something special...dancing in their ski boots, having snowball fi ghts with the groups on stage and clapping with their gloves on...

• SKI •

As well as all the concerts, we’re hosting more snowsport events on the snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s going to be a full week of music and skiing!

How much is it? For this music & ski week, your skipass is your concert ticket. So in other words, anyone with a skipass can see the concerts for free!

14 to 21 March 2015

THE FESTIVAL: MUSIC & SKI

ROCK THE PISTES

Where is it? Every day sees a new concert in a different resort: Avoriaz, Champery-Les Crosets, Chatel, Morgins, Morzine-Les Gets. The host resort for 2014 is Avoriaz where sponsors, journalists and bands will be based.

ROCK THE PISTES

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What the bands said

Ben l’Oncle Soul, 2014

“ This could only happen here! It’s totally insane the buzz you get playing out in the open like this… the venue is pretty insane in fact! ”

Shaka Ponk, 2012

“ There’s nothing ordinary about the venue, we’re totally stoked. It’s going to be brilliant getting everyone moving on the snow too,

we’re gonna melt it! So make sure you enjoy the snow before we arrive! ”

Skip the Use, 2013

“ It’s so cool and pretty amazing and original to set up a huge stage like that in the middle of the ski area ”

Breton, 2014

“ We love playing in slightly off-the-wall venues ”

Philippe Manœuvre, 2014

“ Congrats on a mega successful festival! What we saw on the slopes was impressive and unique. Thanks for everything! ”

Mass Hysteria, 2014

“ Perhaps the most beautiful venue we’ve seen in 20 years on the road! One helluva snowball fi ght at the end of the gig too! MERCI!!! ”

ROCK THE PISTES

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0festivals like it in Europe

1st edition 2011: 5 500 music fans

4th edition 2014: more than 25 500 fans

100+people involved backstage every day

of the event

1900 metresaltitude of the highest gig

27helicopter flights

to transport equipment

FestivalgoerS:

70%

skiers

30%

dedicated music fans

and regular festivalgoers

• Promoting emerging talent with the ‘ Portes du Rock ’ project •

The Portes du Rock is an educational programme dedicated to helping emerging musical talent in France and Switzerland. Recognised professionals including Michael Jones host a variety of workshops for young talent, covering stage awareness and legal coaching. There are four sessions every year, with one during Rock the Pistes, where the young artists can meet the biggest names in the business.

• ‘ Bring your school to the concert ’ •

This educational project takes place in partnership with local schools during the Rock the Pistes festival. Schoolchildren take part in workshops (DJ slamming, recording CDs…) and prepare to meet a recording artist.

A few important numbers…

Taking a look backstage and assessing the challenges of a festival that’s unique in Europe

Rock the Pistes opens the festival season!

First-hand accounts from festivalgoers who have to ski to the concert venues

How the Portes du Soleil, one of the biggest linked ski

areas in the world, addresses the spring skiing challenge

Performing up a mountain! Interviews with

Rock the Pistes bands

Rock the Pistes: what festivalgoers take

with them for the concerts on the slopes!

• Feature ideas… •

ROCK THE PISTES

VS

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PRESS TRIPS be our guest!

Take a look at some of our previous press trips! If you’d like to visit the ski area and experience the Portes du Soleil welcome, please get in touch. We cater for individual journalists and groups, and we’re happy to adapt to your needs and story angle.

Press trips in 2015:

• 50th Birthday Celebration! •

14/1 to 16/1/2015 join us to celebrate 50 years

of the Portes du Soleil!

• Is the Portes du Soleil as good as WE say it is? •

30/1 (evening) to 1/2/2015 Portes du Soleil legends and icons.

• Rock the Pistes festival •

13/3 to 16/3/2015Insight into this festival that’s unique in Europe

and a look behind the scenes.

See you soon on the slopes!

PRESS TRIPS be our guest!

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Sarah SEGUIGNE+33 (0)4 50 73 38 39+33 (0)6 42 21 00 66

[email protected]

Our online press area has photos, press releases and lots of useful information! Find it at

en.portesdusoleil.com/press.html

Follow us on www.facebook.com/lesportesdusoleil

twitter.com/PDS_offi ciel

PRESS Contact

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Pds gb dossier de presse 2014 250x210 v4

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Transcript of Pds gb dossier de presse 2014 250x210 v4