• Extension of the snow making network with the installation of 20 snow cannons on the Plan Fontaine green run (La Tania). This will ensure that skiers of all levels can return to La Tania on skis all season long. This new investment brings the total number of snow cannons to 637 in the Courchevel Valley, covering 44% of the skiing area.
• Improvements to the Family Park modules to make them even more attractive and fun.
• Redevelopment of the Emile Allais slalom course ready for the Women’s World Cup event that will take place on the 21st December 2010.

Méribel-Mottaret :

• Improvements to the Plattières Snowpark to maximise its accessibility to all.
• Installation of 400 metres of snow fences (on the the Campagnol and Venturon pistes). This is an ecological way of accumulating snow on the pistes, thanks to the wind. Snow fences have been used successfully for many years in Méribel-Mottaret.
• Improvements made to the middle section of the Lac de la Chambre piste (coming back from Val Thorens) making it more enjoyable to ski.
• Redevelopment of the Doron ZEN (area in the heart of the resort dedicated to beginners learning to ski) to make it less steep and therefore more fun for first timers.
• Modernisation of the Côte Brune detachable chairlift (Direct link to Val Thorens and access to the high altitude skiing in Méribel-Mottaret) increasing by 15% the uplift capacity of this chairlift (capacity of 2 400 skiers / hour to cope with its success) and by refurbishing the lift buildings top and bottom.

A different angle for a change. Still no roof…… Ferg.

The new snow cannons being installed along the entire length of the green Plan Fontaine run to resort have now reached the half way stage, not sure if the grass will grow… Ferg – Ski Deep.

The caption competition starts here… Also in other news revealed by Phil the Van it has been declared officially Winter as Mutzig Dave has changed from drinking (heavily) Rose to Red Wine….. JonBoy 3VT

> Last day of the La Tania Gondola today. So downhill mountain bikers had to make the effort for one last ride. La Tania lifts re-open Sat 11th December, with Courchevel 1850 the week before and Val Thorens hopefully a couple of weeks before that! Ski Lodge closes for Summer on Friday night with Bring Your Sisters playing live and all the usual antics – they’ll be back open at the end of November…

Last big day mountain biking for La Tania locals with the usual repairs en route, we were even visited by a real bicycle repair man (without blue overalls although wearing blue jersey). Glorious weather and the tracks were in perfect condition. La Tania bubble up, across to 1850 via “Nicks new track”, up Verdons and Vizelle, down single tracks including the incredible specially made VTT route (like a bob sleigh run) to St Martin 2 chair, up chair, back down the same route, up chair again, down to Motterat, up Pas de Lac to mid station and back to La Tania gondola via ball-trap for a final ride up the bubble and back home. Joey and Nick (plus John S, John M, Phil S, Stuart C)

They’ve changed their mind about the pool. It’s now going to be a car park. Or maybe some tennis courts. Anyway still very busy on thursday afternoon. Ferg.

BYS rock the 1550 fete, last night. With old favorite Rob Staff on vocals. Rose Dave.

Work on the new building keeps going at pace – rumours keep coming and going at what is to be there. There is NOT another swimming pool going in and not a Nightclub!

An emergency medical centre with ambulance access is planned (although not a pharmacy we hear) plus a local Police station, community room and hopefully a left luggage area. Workers accommodation is planned above apparently. No word yet on the plans for the new chalet complex next to Grand Bois and the drag lift – yet there must be some ‘cos they’ve moved land about over there and levelled off an area…. Planning? French? Mairee?

Creux was in excellent condition for mountain biking on Tuesday, the snow and mud didn’t stop us but the going was a little more slippery that usual in places. Joey and Nick www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk