Stunning new facilities set to open for this season, will change the game in one of our favourite resorts.
It’s been a long time in the planning and has been consuming an awful lot of skilled labour, materials and raw cash to get it this far but the new Gondola and Alpinum facility in Courchevel Le Praz are on track for completion in time for the coming season.
Any lift upgrade makes a difference to the resort it serves but this particular development is a real game changer for the lovely Three Valleys resort of Courchevel Le Praz.
The development is in fact a project far beyond the typical lift renovation we see in resorts from time to time. It involves huge building works at both the top and bottom of the planned Gondola with an impressive multi-purpose adjoining facility in Le Praz (called L’Alpinum) and a large refurbishment of the Croissete building up in 1850. Alongside all this work they’ve drained and improved the lake.
Top 5 things to know about the new Le Praz Gondola
- It is due to open in December just in time for the 19/20 season
- The new 10 person gondola will take people from Le Praz direct to 1850 for the first time
- It will operate outside normal ski lift hours bringing the attractions of 1850 closer to Le Praz
- You will disembark at the newly refurbished Croisette building in 1850, from there you can access Plantrey, Le Praz and 1550
- Journey time will be 5 minutes 50 seconds shaving more than a minute from the previous journey time whilst increasing capacity significantly.
The new more direct route will take you the centre of the action in 1850
Facilities of L’Alpinum
L’Alpinum building will have an impressive range of facilities and will be situated right by the already impressive olympic ski jump (featured in main pic). The design is a fantastic example of modern ski resort architecture, it’s highly sympathetic to the landscape and atmosphere of the resort. Much of the facility is set into the ground which allows the sports field on the roof to blend in perfectly with the landscape, we’re very much looking forward to walking through those doors and taking it in. The interior styling has encompassed natural materials wherever possible and uses curves to compliment the shape and atmosphere of the adjoining lake.
The facilities will include an artificial surface sports field, a track for walking or skating and catering/events facilities. There will be a children’s play area, a tourist board reception desk and a whole lot of ski lockers. They’re also adding parking to help cope with the popularity of the new station and allow Le Praz to host larger scale events with greater ease.
The lake
There’s also going to be a viewing terrace with great views of the lake. They are draining the lake to make improvements for both its functionality in supplying snow cannons and making it more enjoyable for visitors with a new bridge walkway and paths. We already enjoyed being by the lake in all seasons, with the planned improvements it’s going to be very pleasant and especially in spring at the tail end of the season.
This development is fantastic news for those staying in Le Praz, we love the resort and are delighted with the planned improvements. We look forward to watching the mens finals finishing here when the 2023 Alpine Ski World Championship comes to Courchevel. If this news has piqued your interest, why not take a look at our catered and self catered options in Courchevel Le Praz.
A visualisation from an athlete’s eye view arriving at the new centre
On the doorstep of our Courchevel Chalets
Mountain Heaven are particularly delighted with the development as two of our finest chalets, Chalet Emilie and Chalet Jardin d’Angele are just a few meters off the main square in a perfect location. Our guests will wake up in a quiet cul-de-sac but near enough to hear the new Gondola start up in the morning and just a very casual stroll away from the best lifts in the resort.
Our other Le Praz Chalet, Louis, is only a bit further away from the lifts as it enjoys a more central location in the resort. This is great news for all our guests and we know those that have booked already are very much looking to being one of the first to take advantage of the new Courchevel Le Praz.
Images and more information available from Marie-Courchevel.
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