BAQUEIRA-BERET EXPANDS TO CELEBRATE 50TH
B
aqueira-Beret, one of Spain’s
route, to claim a total 153km of
Saumet, giving access to four new
best-known resorts and certainly
piste. The new terrain also adds
black expert pistes, and a second
its most glamorous, celebrates
240 hectares of terrain, taking the
new button drag lift, Stadium,
its 50th winter this season and to
ski area to 2166 hectares.
located very close to the Dera
celebrate has added new terrain
Three new lifts have also been
Reina chairlift and running parallel
which should make it the country’s
installed, which together take the
to it up to 2222m altitude. It is
largest again, overtaking Formigal.
resort’s uplift past the 60,000
open to all skiers but has been
The resort is adding no fewer than
skiers-per-hour mark. The new
specifically designed for those who
21 new runs, equalling 26km of
Jesus Serra quad chairlift replaces
train at Beret’s Stadium.
new groomed terrain to take its
the old Vista Beret chairlift and
Founded in 1964, Baqueira-Beret
tally to 92 pistes. Baqueira-Beret
connects Orri with Beret in a quick
will host a series of events and
has also added a further 7km of off-
and comfortable manner. There
attractions throughout the season
piste itineraries and a new freeride
are also new button drag lifts at
to celebrate its big 5-0.
LAURENT SALINO
ALPE D’HUEZ FOCUSES ON SARENNE which supplies the water required,
winter will be the chance to ski
will also become the highest
the Sarenne at night. Participating
artificial lake in Europe.
skiers will take the last cable car
The financial investment involved
up to the top of Pic Blanc, to an
is estimated at around €8 million
altitude of 3330m, and watch the
(which includes the introduction of
sun set over the Grandes Rousses,
72 snow cannons, the lake and the
enjoying the mountains in the
snow factory).
company of Alpe d’Huez qualified
Six webcams have also been
ski instructors and ski patrollers.
installed along the route so skiers
There will then be a short stop at
will be able to view real-time snow
le GUC mountain refuge for an
conditions on the Sarenne.
aperitif before venturing down the
In addition, the length of the
16km and 2000m vertical drop of
Alpe d’Huez have installed 72
The aim was for the full 16km of the
Sarenne will be illuminated by each
this iconic run.
snow cannons over the summer on
famous slope to be accessible and
cannon, which is equipped with
Once they have conquered the
the lower half of the world’s longest
skiable by 6 December with the
LED lights to create a “slope to the
majority of the slope, skiers can
black slope, the 16km-long Sarenne
installation which covers the area
stars” effect for night skiers, the
celebrate with a mountain dinner
descent. The snow cannons also
from Marmottes 3 to the Sarenne
resort says.
at the Auberge de la Combe Haute
carry lighting.
Bridge at 1600m. The Herpie Lake,
A new option for good skiers this
before returning by bus to the resort.
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031 // JAN15