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Good News! Col de la Loze Cycle Track opening for Ski Bus access for Skiers & Snowboarders

Posted Thu 01 Apr 2021

*Col de la Loze cycle track now cleared of snow*

Despite new lockdown news there’s more downhill skiing available in Courchevel from this weekend. With private car and taxi access / parking already enabled for downhill skiing on the pistes down from the Altiport above Courchevel 1850, the next logical step was to run shuttle buses up to Col de la Loze.

This will allow downhill skiing from 2304m down to Le Praz (including using the brand new L’Eclipse World Cup Piste) – A vertical descent of over 1000 metres!

*Snow Clearing “deneigement” in operation this week*

A huge operation clearing snow from the cycle track that was used from the Méribel side in last year’s Tour de France has taken place to allow skiers to enjoy a decent amount of downhill skiing over the Easter Holidays (for the few who are already there or allowed to travel as new lockdown measures come in to play from Saturday).

*The open and maintained pistes marked in yellow*

*Pic Bleu* in Méribel will be maintained – note the Boulevard de la Loze **will not open**

On the Méribel side the Pic Blue piste will be the only maintained piste. Due to the additional avalanche risk and control measures required (especially at this time of year in warmer weather on this sun facing slope) the Boulevard will remain closed off – there is a large amount of snow above this piste and it often has to close in the afternoons anyway at this time of year. In addition the black Tetras piste will be closed as it is suffering from inadequate snow cover due to the warm temperatures of the past week.

*Cyclists still have priority and right of way on the climb with early access this season*

The new electric, autonomous, driverless Shuttle Bus / Snow Plough from Navya (and trialled in Val Thorens but currently in dispute with unions over the loss of driver jobs) will run from 09:30 until 12:00 and after lunch from 15:00 to 16:45 for €10 per person per trip payable on-line via the Apr App. There are no reductions for kids or OAPs but ski instructors, ski guides, ski area workers, public relations reps, media organisations, mountain restaurant staff, ski patrol, medics, coaches and those training travel free.

Hikers / Snow Shoeing passengers are allowed but strictly no sledges are to be taken on board.

*Bottom section of the track with the Chenus and Coqs lifts in the background*

Pistes down to La Tania, Le Praz and 1850 will be maintained in this controversial move with critics pointing to the fact that for example, single use chairlifts (currently not allowed) would be a great deal safer and Covid Secure than people packed on to Shuttle Buses…