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| Tarine cows on Gelinotte piste |
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A few days ago we were awakened by what sounded like the Vietnam War being re-enacted outside our window. A Super Puma helicopter was hovering over the Chaudanne and making enough noise to awaken the whole resort. Once we’d worked out we weren’t under attack by the Vietcong, we remember that this was the day that the new Tougnète 1 gondola pylons were being installed. To be precise, new heads were being added to the existing pylons, and this can only be done from the air. We watched the helicopter swoop down to pick up a massive metal pylon head, fly up the mountain and then hover while a team of men perched at the top of the pylon fixed it in place. This was repeated all along the line of pylons. Next time I’m stumping up for a lift pass, I will remember just how much work and expense is involved to update the ski area each summer. As well as improvements to the Tougnète 1 (more spacious, comfortable and quieter cabins, faster journey time, new arrival station) there are other improvements to the ski area you will notice this winter. The Faon piste has been re-shaped, and the Moonpark freestyle area has been moved to the Grive piste. On the other side of the valley, the valley, the Hulotte, Chamois and beginning of the beginners’ Blanchot runs have all undergone improvements. More snow canons have also been added, mainly to the Biche piste and the Moonpark, and all the signs on the Tougnète side of the valley have been replaced. Up in Mottaret new Magnestick safety devices are being installed on the Combes and Arolles chairlifts so children can travel in complete safety. The lift companies certainly don’t take the summer off here.
While this updating of the lifts and re-shaping of certain pistes require a great deal of man hours over the summer, other parts of the ski area are being maintained in a much more traditional manner by herds of cows. These pretty brown mountain cows, locally called “Tarines”, graze all summer long on the lush grass. While keeping the vegetation on the pistes short (so snow adheres better) they are also producing the milk which makes the delicious local cheeses you will enjoy this winter. What clever, multi-tasking cows we have here.
Méribel’s run of glorious weather has had a few interruptions recently, with sudden torrential rain on several evenings. However, the sky this morning has returned to its usual blue and the sun is now shining on a very green and damp valley. These summer showers are what keep the mountains so green and lush and as they often fall in the evening and night, they don’t usually affect our daytime activities. This rain has had one unexpected effect – the mushrooms are already popping up in the woods and the sport of mushroom hunting has started in earnest. Of all the many types which occur in the valley, the Ceps are the most highly prized and they flourish in the woods around the Altiport. The locals all know of the hidden areas where they are abundant (know as “coins a champignons”) but they never ever reveal their secret spots, and set our very early in the morning to go gathering so no one can follow them.
Of course, this time of year Méribel is celebrating its summer season. Golf competitions, the summer street market, films, kids’ clubs, mountain biking, archery, tennis, film showings, concerts and guided tours are all on offer this week. Summer here is certainly not as busy as the winter, but it isn’t an off-season either.
For details of the various sports and activities available here in summer, do take a look at our
Activities page |
