Yearly Archives: 2021

What’s new in the 2021/22 Winter Season

• 4 December 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
• note:  0 Comments 

NEW IN THE SKI AREA AND NEW ACTIVITIES

In the ski domain, a new ski lift has replaced the old chairlift! It’s the first cable car in the Espace Diamant: the Rosières in Les Saisies, connecting up with the Mont Bisanne.

In the way of new activities, electric snowmobiles will be offered for children in the same area as the cross-country skiing activities. A new dog sledding company is coming to Praz: Expérience Montagne with a new feature: the baby-sled! In addition to the white trail, which is accessible every day, a new snowshoeing initiation area with TSL will be set up. On the restaurant side, after 25 years in Corsica, Eddy Papion and Franck Candelier are taking over the high altitude restaurant Le Sérasson again.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

13 events this winter and a programme of activities for all the family. A new event with all the Espace Diamant resorts: the Diamond Cup. The challenge cup replaces the Pure Diamond Days for season skipass holders. A new solidarity event: the 1st edition of Snow for Refugees. During the ESF torchlight descents, THE LEGEND OF THE DRAGON will be told to you with a fire show every Thursday of the winter school holidays.

The 3 new events:

 SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY 2022: THE DIAMOND CUP

SATURDAY, 29 JANVIER 2022: THE PURE DIAMOND CHALLENGE/EDELWEISS MOUNTAIN SKI

SATURDAY, 12 MARCH 2022: SNOW FOR REFUGEES     

FROM 18 DECEMBER 2021 to 18 APRIL 2022:

“Rooted in the heart of the mountains” – a new watercolour exhibition on our heritage by Babeth Socquet-Meilleret at the Tourist Office.

The snow has arrived – and lots of it!

• 29 October 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
• note:  0 Comments 

What to see and do in November

• 15 October 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
• note:  0 Comments 

LEISURE AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES

In Praz sur Arly:

– Accompanied Hikes:  Contact the Mountain Guides’ Office: 04 50 21 55 11.

– Themed Hikes (marmots, ibex, glaciers, panorama of Mont Blanc, etc) and supervised half-day, full-day or 2-day hikes with a night in a mountain refuge. Contact Altitude Nature: 06 61 86 90 63.

– Initiation flights in a hot air balloon: Contact Alpes Montgolfière:  04 50 55 50 60.

In the area:

– Côte 2000 Aventure in Megève: Tree climbing course (from 5 years old). Open every day by appointment: 06 76 29 71 04.

– Paint Ball Expérience: by appointment, (from 7 years old) contact: 06 09 81 31 17.

– Paragliding: contact Megève Parapente: 06 62 13 27 71. Megève Aventure Parapente: 06 70 07 51 21

– Bowling in Sallanches with laser-game: 04 50 18 00 00.

– Saint-Gervais Thermal Baths. From Monday to Wednesday, 9.00 to 20.00; from Thursday to Saturday, 9.00 to 21.00; Sunday, 10.00 to 20.00.

The Palais des Sports in Megève – the largest sports complex in the Alps

– Indoor swimming pool:

From 03/04 to 08/05/2022
Opening hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 12 pm and 7.30 pm. On Wednesday between 12 pm and 9 pm. Closed exceptionally on May 1st. 9 April: exceptionally closing at 18.00.

– Indoor Skating rink

Till 29/04/2022, daily between 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm. Closed exceptionally on 12/04, 14/04 and 15/04.

Also indoor tennis court, climbing wall, fitness, saunas et media library available in the Sports Centre.

Gym: From 02/04 to 08/05/2022
Opening hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8 am and 9 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 9 am and 6 pm. Closed exceptionally on May 1st.

LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

In Praz sur Arly:

– Visit of Louis Chabaud’s workshop, painting and sculptures at the Meurets Farm.

– Library on Mondays and Fridays from 4.30 to 6.30 pm, Wednesdays from 5.00 to 6.30 pm.

– Exhibition of Adriana Muffat-Jeandet Wojcik’s works in the village: “The birth of mountain tourism”. Maps available at the Tourist Office.

In the area:

– The Fairytale House in Notre Dame de Bellecombe, daily from 10.00-19.00. An unusual, unique and original exhibition, imagined and created with the family, for young and old alike, in paper paste and salt paste.

– Val d’Arly Cheese Cooperative: open daily from 8.30 to 19.30.

EVENTS

PRAZ SUR ARLY:  Exhibition of works by Adriana Muffat-Jeandet Wojcik, map at the Tourist Office reception – Market on Wednesday mornings from 9.00 to 13.00. – Visit our local heritage sites on Tuesday mornings, inscription at the Tourist Office.

St GERVAIS : Market on Thursday mornings. Les petits Asticots –  04/11/21 “Les p’tits curieux” workshop, goldsmith from 10.30 to 12.00, prior inscription. –  06/11/21 Wine-tasting workshop: how to marry wines and dishes? At 17.00. – 10/11/21 pre-cinema, documentary film month from 16.00 to 17.00 – 17/11/21 blood donation from 16.30 to 19.30. – 20/11/21 ski and winter sports fair, from 9.00 to 17.30.

MEGEVE : Market on Friday mornings – on Tuesdays all year round, by reservation, guided tours of the historic centre and church – 07/11/21 “Jardin de la glisse” from 9.30 to 11.30 –  11/11/21 Remembrance Day ceremony at 11.00 – 13/11/21 baby readers’ story hour from 11.00 to 11.45 – 19/11/21 Theatre « l’Oeuf » from 20.30 to 22.00 – 20/11/21 calligraphy workshop from 14.30 to 17.30.

SALLANCHES : Market every Saturday morning – Les petits Asticots–  02/11/21 “L’agropastoralisme et paysages” conference from 20.00 to 22.00 –  05/11/21 “Les contes trouillottants de dame Elaéra” from 17.00 to 18.00 – 06/11/21 Storytelling for children from 15.30 to 16.00 – 11/11/21 Alain SOUCHON concert from 20.00 to 21.30 –  13 and 14/11/21 ski fair (Saturday from 9.00 to 18.30, Sunday from 9.00 to 15.30) – 27 and 28/11/21 Amnesty book fair from 9.00 to 17.00 non-stop.

COMBLOUX : Les petits Asticots – All year round, every Friday from 17,00 to 17.45 guided tours of the Laurenzio granite company of Mont-Blanc. – 06 et 07/11/21 toy fair (Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00, Sunday from 9.00 to 15.30).

CHAMONIX: Les petits Asticots – 05/11/21 blood donation from 16.00 to 19.30. – 06/11/21 Chamonix vs Cergy-Pontoise hockey match at 20.00 – Until 07/11/21 Corinne JOUIN paper-cut pictures daily from 11.00 to 21.00 – 13/11/21 “Chemin des toiles”, LAETITIA documentary film at 16.30. – 20/11/21 “Chemins des toiles”, the refugees of Saint-Jouin documentary film at 16.30.

SERVOZ: Les petits Asticots – 06/11/21 « Bal folk trad’ » from 21.00 to 23.30. –  20/11/21 Sauerkraut party at 19.30.

LES CONTAMINES MONTJOIE: Les petits Asticots – 05/11/21 Family yoga from 16.00 to 17.00 – 02/11/21 Corsican polyphonies and traditional songs at 20h30. – 04/11/21 afternoon tea with story «winter is coming» at 17.00 –  05/11/21 choral singing concert at 17.30.

PASSY: Les petits Asticots –  From 01 to 04/11/21 Cardio dance, daily for one hour, from 10.00 and 13.00 – From 03/11/21 «Marmot, why are you sleeping?» from 14.00 to 16.000 – 11/11/21 «Theatre, it’s easy really» at 20.30 – 13/11/21 well-being workshop: I activate my ability to listen to my desires! at 13.30. Also: Humour Julien Strelzyk, cheers! at 20.30.

For additional information, don’t hesitate to contact the various Tourist Offices in the region.

IN THE AREA:

 – MEGEVE : The Calvary Walk: fifteen chapels and oratories representing the Stations of the Cross of Christ. The Upper Val d’Arly Museum.

– PLATEAU D’ASSY : the Jardin des Cimes open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. Closing on 03/10.

– THE VAL D’ARLY AND THE BEAUFORTAIN: Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Col des Saisies, Hauteluce (Baroque church), Beaufort (cheese factory), Arêches, return via Conflans (medieval city) and Albertville.

– THE ARAVIS PASS: Go through Flumet towards La Clusaz and stop at the Aravis Pass. A change of scenery guaranteed! You can also reach Annecy and its famous lake in less than 1 hour.

– COMBLOUX:  Its baroque church with its typical bulb; and the granite path: a 1km walk through the forest where huge glacial erratic rocks, deposited about 15,000 years ago during the retreat of the glacier, still remain.

– CORDON : walk around and discover the village. Exceptional view of the Mont Blanc.

– CHAMONIX: a must-see destination, the capital of mountaineering at the foot of the famous Mont Blanc. (1h.30 drive).  Aiguille du Midi,  every 15 or 30 mins depending on numbers. Closing from 08/11 to 10/12 for renovations. More information and reservations on the internet site.  – Montenvers, Mer de Glace: every hour and then every 30 mins in the afternoon depending on numbers, closing on 07/11/21.

Dates of main events of Summer 2021

• 30 June 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
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Top 10 Outdoor Activities this Summer

• 27 April 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
• note:  0 Comments 

1 – HIKING  – More information

Discover numerous hiking itineraries of different levels of difficulty for all the family. From a simple walk to a day’s outing, Praz sur Arly is the ideal place to venture out on the trails in full view of the Mont Blanc.  Possibility of a diploma and medal (in the shape of an edelweiss, on sale at the Tourist Office for 2€ ) to reward children, depending on the level of difficulty.

Good Plan: Reach the summits of Praz-sur-Arly in a few minutes via the Crêt du Midi 6-seater chairlift. Get up to 1,700 metres in only 10 minutes! The top is the departure point for numerous hikes including the Smugglers’ Trail.

+ Round-trip rates: Adult (from 17 years): 6.90€. Child (6-16 years): 5€. Free for children under 6 years. Daily adult rate: 15€ / Child: 12.50€.

+ Opening period: From Monday 5 July to Thursday 26 August 2021 inclusive.

+ Opening hours: From Sunday to Thursday, 9.45 to 12.30 and 13.00 to 16.30.

A map of the trails with a topography guide is on sale at the Tourist Office reception. Price: 6€. Here are a few hiking ideas:

+ Easy – 1 to 2 hours : 

The Evettes Lake
The Epines Blanches

+ Intermediate – 2 to 4 hours:

The Smugglers’ Trail
The summit of the Ban Rouge from the top of the Crêt du Midi chairlift
The Plan de l’Are Refuge

+ Expert – 4 hours and more: 

The summit of the Crêt du Midi from Praz sur Arly
The Mont de Vorès from the top of the Crêt du Midi chairlift

2 – MOUNTAIN BIKING / ELECTRICALLY-ASSISTED MOUNTAIN BIKING –  More information

Mountain bike enthusiasts will find an incredible adventure land in Praz sur Arly with several hundred kilometres of marked trails! Discover:

+ The Val d’Arly Mountain Bike Area:

We offer 230km of cross country itineraries passing through forested area, gravel roads and mountain pastures. Download the map

+ The Pays du Mont-Blanc Mountain Bike Area:

Also discover the many mountain bike circuits (57 marked itineraries) in the Pays du Mont-Blanc (10 marked circuits in Praz sur Arly). A map is available for sale at the Tourist Office reception.

+ Enduro Descent

We also propose 3 Enduro trails with over 700m of negative altitude difference and different levels of difficulty.

You will find more mountain bike trails on our App: Praz sur Arly Sports et Nature

Mountain Bike and Electrically-Assisted Mountain Bike Rental

It is possible to hire mountain bikes with or without electrical assistance for a day or half day. You can also go out with a mountain bike instructor for group or private outings. The electrically-assisted mountain bike allows you to tackle the summits directly from Praz sur Arly and offers you welcome help in the steepest climbs!

3 – TRAIL RUNNING – More information

Praz sur Arly is the new Trail destination! In partnership with the SCOTT Running team, discover our 6 marked trails available on the “Praz sur Arly Sports and Nature” application. This smartphone application, available on App store and Google store, offers you numerous trail, hiking and mountain bike itineraries and allows you to find your way easily and take advantage of many other features to facilitate your outdoor excursions in Praz sur Arly.

THE PRAZ SUR ARLY TRAIL CHALLENGE:

Climb up to the Crêt du Midi Cross on this 4.8km, 830m+ vertical and compare yourself to the best!

4 – PARAGLIDING – More information

Discover the unique sensation of a flight from the summits of Praz sur Arly or Megève. Your initiation flight will take you over the foothills of the Mont Blanc and Aravis ranges in magnificent scenery.

Take-off point: Crêt du Midi/Ban Rouge, accessible in summer and winter with the Crêt du Midi chairlift.

Landing point:  Cassioz Plain.

5 – HOT AIR BALLOONING – More information

Praz-sur-Arly is well-known for its hot air balloon flights. Flights leaving from the village are possible all year round, in all four seasons. It’s an amazing sight. The view from the basket is magical as the balloon lifts up over the mountain tops. It’s like an open balcony on the Mont Blanc range, the Aravis Chain, the Beaufortain, and part of the Swiss and Italian Alps … Thanks to the exceptional aerological conditions of this “corner of the Alps”, the resort of Praz sur Arly has a balloon company on the spot all year round.

6 – ROCK CLIMBING / MOUNTAINEERING – More information

Discover the amazing world of the high mountains! There’s no age limit, you just have to want to do it!

In order to get the maximum benefit from your outing, we advise you to start off with a climbing school. This will allow you to gain self-confidence and not be afraid of heights and open spaces – it will certainly help you.

For your first outing, we recommend something adapted to your level on snow or rock. You could cross the Vallée Blanche or discover the Mer de Glace Balconies.

Then, once you’ve become accustomed to high mountain climbing, you could try more difficult full-day outings: the Petite Verte, the Arête des Cosmiques, the Aiguilles d’Entrèves, the Traversée des Crochues…

7 – WHITE WATER SPORTS – More information

What better to cool off in the height of the summer than a rafting, canyoning or hydro-speed outing! Numerous mountain torrents, like the Arve and the Giffre, offer the possibility of discovering these activities very close to Praz sur Arly. Our partners: the Megève Mountain Guides’ Office and Session Raft offer numerous outings depending on your wishes.

8 – FISHING – More information

The Pays du Mont-Blanc is a magnificent place for fishing. Mountain lakes, rivers, torrents, line or fly fishing, everything is possible in this activity!

Fishing spots: the Arly, Arve, Javen artificial lake (private)

Permits: Fishing permits are on sale at the Tourist Office reception.

9 and 10 – VIA FERRATA / ACCROBRANCH – More information

Via ferrata : The closest via ferrata is about twenty minutes away by car, at the Aravis Pass. But others also await you in the region.

Via ferrata spots:

Via ferrata de Curalla (Passy): The only via ferrata facing the Mont-Blanc range.

Via Ferrata du Roc du Vent (Beaufort): Accessible to most climbers, it winds between outcrops and vertical rock faces, offering unforgettable views of lakes, pastures and the Mont Blanc.

The Roche à l’Agathe Via Ferrata (Thônes): The via ferrata in Thônes is a perfect example of the  French style of via ferrata: close to an inhabited area, very aerial, well equipped and secure. Concentrate, the whole town is watching you! Proper equipment is obligatory.

ACCROBRANCH: Get up into the treetops in the middle of the pines! Discover the accrobranch circuit at Cote 2000 in Megève, a fun activity for all the family. Strong sensations guaranteed!

The foot of the slopes specially rearranged for the holidays!

• 9 February 2021
• by:  Fiona Rolian 
• note:  0 Comments 

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The foot of the slopes have been rearranged for family fun!

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The foot of the slopes have been specially rearranged to offer you different areas of snow sports: sledging, snow-tubing, electric mountain biking, skiing for beginners, cross-country skiing, takeaway food, etc. Don’t forget the barrier measures to enjoy these activities in complete safety :

1:  Control your speed and trajectory when sledging, skiing, snowboarding.

2:  Respect the signs and circulation instructions (e.g. don’t walk up the sledging runs).

3:  Make sure others have seen you.

4:  Wear appropriate protection: helmet, gloves, etc.

Respect the area by using the bins and containers provided. 

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Sledging runs

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There are 2 sledging runs, the first is located near the car park and the second is at the level of the ESF chalet. Children must be supervised by their parents. It is strongly recommended to wear a helmet and appropriate clothing. For your own safety and that of other users, follow the signs and control your speed and your trajectory.

 

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Snow-Tubing

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Discover this new activity open to all. Slide down seated on an inflatable rubber ring on a specially-groomed run. As of 3 years of age.  5€ for two runs, from 9.45 to 16.45. Helmet available on loan.  Suggested clothing: ski pants and anorak, gloves and mountain shoes.

 

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Other possible activities

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Also discover the other facilities and services on offer: beginners’ skiing with the ESF, laser rifle shooting, take-away food, cross-country skiing trail, snowshoeing and pedestrian itineraries, ski joering for children.