Category: Local news

What’s going on in the Chatel and Portes du Soleil region

Chatel’s big red London bus…

This weekend is Chatel’s St Laurant festival – an annual festival celebrating the village’s patron saint.

This is always a colourful and fun day, with floats of all descriptions making circuits of the village centre. This year, however, the British expats have been invited to enter the procession. Are we going to be subtle about things? Absolutely not! Look out for a large red London bus on the streets of Chatel. Possibly similar in quality to the Bejing/London Olympic red bus (although we can’t guarantee David Beckham will be on it).

I will post photos after the event.

Excellent snow conditions prevail as we move into Spring

We have just had a week of snow, and conditions are still splendid across the whole of the Portes du Soleil.

The Portes du Soleil has up to 270 cm at the top of the slopes and 150 cm at the bottom.

It looks like once again the Portes du Soleil will be finishing the season with significantly more snow than some of the higher/glacier resorts.

Chatel itself is now gearing up for some excellent events over the next few weeks. This Saturday, we have the Chatel Crew Contest, a Freestyle contest taking place at the Chatel Smoothpark.

Also, from the 21-25 March, look out for the Châtel 3Style Days. This event comprises of three big events:

  • The Superpark Event
  • The Razorsnowbike
  • The Festyslide

The Razorsnowbike
Saturday 21 March 2009
From 9am to 3pm, meeting point at Linga
 
Amateurs riders in competition for one day of mountain bike on snow. The contest will be in two parts : in the morning, start in line and in the afternoon, four-cross. The Razorsnowbike was a very good success. 40 amateurs riders were present in a reaxed atmosphere. A play trail, with slope’s breaks, banking-bends and a good table at the end of the run. So a classical boardercross but on snow and with big bikes. 

The Festyslide
Sunday 22 March 2009
 
The meeting between slide and music on Plaine-Dranse slopes.
Freestyle’s amateurs will be there to use Big air and Waterslide.

The day will be punctuated by concerts and DJ’s. At last freestyle demos and pyrotechnic animations will give rhythm to this event, really spectacular.

Superpark Event
Monday 23 and Tuesdat 24 March 2009
Ski & snowboard freestyle competition (pro)– Photo Shoot 
Photo Shoot (Snowpark, freeride and life-style picture) on 2 days

Summer in the Portes du Soleil

Summer has arrived – 30 degree temperatures, clear blue skies, and the resort is open for business after its spring break.

The Pass Portes du Soleil mountain bike race is on next weekend (28/29 June) and there is a full program of activities throughout the months of July & August.

So if you haven’t booked a summer holiday yet, why not visit Chatel in the Portes du Soleil for an excellent holiday in a beautiful location that won’t break the bank!

Mountain Bike Events in Chatel 2008 – Chatel Mountain Style Contest

Chatel Mountain Style Contest

After a first amazing and different contest in 2007, Châtel has decided to organize a second session of its

MOUNTAIN STYLE CONTEST

The motivated and passionate partners are involved at 100 % to get a maximum of professional riders and to shape a terrific site with the help to the “Kranked 8” Riders!!!

15 pro riders coming from all over the world are already registered to enter the event, as :

Timo Pritzel (All) , Lance McDermott (GB) , Christopher Hatton (Fra) , Kyle Norbraten (Can) , Kyle Jameson (USA) , Kyle Ebbeth (USA) , Damien Huszsc (Fra) , Dylan Dunkerton ( Can ) , Curtis Robinson (Can) ,Etienne Perron (Fra) , Niki Leitner (Aut) , Julien Fournier (Sui) , Yoann Paccard (Fra) , Damjan Siriski (Cz) , Phil Meier (Sui). 

Program: 

Friday 4th July
9am-5pm Run inspection for pro & am

Saturday 5th July
Morning Run inspection for pro & am
Afternoon Qualifications in 2 runs for professional and amateur riders.
4pm Dirt Contest
6pm Partner’s special evening.

Sunday 6th July   
9am Run inspection.
10.30am 1st final for pro & am
2pm Final

€ 6000 Prize money and lot of partners’ prize to share !

Mountain Bike Events in Chatel 2008 – The Passportes du Soleil

The “Passportes du Soleil VTT” is first of all a convivial ‘rendez-vous’ for mountainbikers who want to ride for fun! It’s a moutain bike excursion based on the descovering of a territory landing over two countries. The lifts making this mountain circuit accessible.

Remember that the Passportes is :

– 3 circuits of 35, 50 and 75 km
– 7 resorts with simultaneous starts in France and Switzerland
– 13 ski-lifts
– 6000 metres of total vertical descent
– Different routes for cycling uphill on bikes for the more courageous,
– Optional downhill race tracks …

The extras for 2008:

Special rates for girls !
A special price for girls’ entries: € 30 instead of €35.
The Kids Passportes!
Professional teachers will guide children aged 9 to 14 years old (by group of age and level) on a circuit espacially made for them.
   
To find all information, to get details about the event and see a video to present it, please visit the website : www.passportesdusoleil.com .

Entries:

Bookings are open from February 2008 the 10th on www.activeeurope.com

2008 Prices :

€ 35
€30 for girls
€15 for kids (including accompaniment by professional, snack, and a Portes du Soleil present).
Your entry includes:

access to the lift,
a number plate,
local produce refreshments,
a logbook,
a voucher for a day’s lift-pass in the Portes du Soleil,
and as always a special Passportes surprise present !
   
During three days Champery in Switzerland will host the VTT Fair.

Numerous stands where professional will be there at your disposal and numerous entertainment for all, a concert… a whole program !

Also other resorts of the Portes du Soleil hosting the competition will have a special entertainment program during the weekend.

Summer arrived quickly

Although there is still a lot of snow on the north facing slopes, since the lifts shut at the end of April, the weather has been gorgeous, sunny & hot.

The bike is out and more trails are losing their snow cover on a daily basis…