We are very excited about the new Arpette chairlift being built in Les Arcs. It will be a high speed 6 seater, whisking 3000 people an hour from 2028m to 2416m in just 5 minutes. This will enable a smooth transition up the mountain to the Arpette area above Arc 1800 near the snow park.
A welcome improvement for the forthcoming season to one of our favourite resorts!
work is already underway!construction under the alpine sun
Sappho packs herself off to Les Arcs to meet the cyclists coming in…
When we were told earlier this year that Bourg St Maurice had been named as the arrival town for the 16th stage of the Tour de France, we immediately started looking into our flights. So imagine our excitement when we heard that 14 teams of the Tour would be starting in our beloved Arc 1950… Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins included!
This called for some serious planning, not to mention an extra quick crash course on the world’s most watched race.
So I packed off, with a couple of journalists in tow, on Monday 20th July to Arc 1950, (Erna Low’s bestselling holiday destination as well the location for the Erna Low Property french office) and what a trip it was.
The village was looking its finest, the sun was shining, the cows were mooing and the whole village was buzzing with the knowledge that the cyclists fast approaching.
Les Maillots Jaunes proudly decorate sunny Bourg
On Tuesday 21st, after a morning of white water rafting from Bourg St Maurice to Moutiers along the Isere river, we took out seats in the ‘tribune’ seating area at the arrival in Bourg perfectly positioned under the big screen to watch the cyclists ride in from Verbier/ Martigny in Switzerland through La Thuile (Italy) and down from La Rosiere.
While ducking and diving for the freebies being hurled into the crowds, the crowds grew more and more excited at the cyclists descended. They made it look so effortless but we were reminded how dangerous it can be as one of them slipped coming down from La Thuile and had a nasty fall. Ouch!
Mikal Astarloza riding for the Euskatel Team was the first to come in with a time of 4h14m20s, swiftly followed by five other riders all making it 4h14m26s. For full table of results, please see here for the full results table.
The overall ranking was unaffected however with Contador (in the ‘Maillot Jaune’ for fastest overall time), Hushovd (in the ‘Maillot Vert’ for most points), Pellizotti (for most ‘climbing’ points), A. Schleck (fastest overall youth) and Astana (best overall team) still leading the way.
It was quick dash after the prize giving back up to Arc 1950 in order to beat the team’s trucks and entourage who would soon be making the slow climb. We sat in George’s Bar, drinking our beers in the sunset as we played cyclist celebrity spotting as they all made their way to their apartments. We saw Mark Cavendish making his way to Auberge Jerome and word on the village street was that Lance Armstrong was in Prince des Cimes and having dinner in Chalet Luigi that evening. Some of the Russian teams apparently travel with their own chefs to ensure a good nutrition but the rest were obviously out for the evening as the village restaurants were full to burst!
The village had relaxed their ‘pedestrian only’ policy for the evening as the streets where packed with the team trucks and thousands of pounds worth of bikes all strapped to the roofs of the branded cars.
Entourage in Arc 1950
After having breakfast in Le Brasserie 1950 on Wednesday 22nd, at the next table form Richard Virenque, the trucks and teams departed Bourg to commence the 17th stage of the circuit. The gruelling mountain stage from Bourg to Le Grand-Bornand through Beaufort, Megeve, Sallanches and Cluses.
I now realise I hadn’t quite grasped how much more the Tour was than a few men crazy enough to cycle round a country but what it also means for the fans and the towns that welcome them. The buzz and excitement it brings with it is infectious and I can safely say I have been converted to a dedicated follower… now where’s the 2010 schedule?!
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Sappho Barkla is the PR and Marketing Manager for Erna Low Holidays and Erna Low Property.
Summer stays are available in Arc 1950 from just £336 for a family of four in a luxury self catered apartment for 7 nights, includes free activity pass, self catering basis, no travel http://www.ernalowsummer.co.uk/ 0845 863 0525
Winter prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525
Surrounded by seasoned skiers and boarders at Erna Low, Laura from Admin recounts her experience catching up on the slopes…
As one of the only members of staff that does not ski or snowboard at Erna Low, I absolutely jumped at the chance to have a ski lesson during the end of season ski weekend. I had always been a bit scared of trying it, as I am a bit of a wimp and a bit scared of hurting myself. Luckily, one of the students working at Erna Low was a skiing virgin too so we were able to do the lesson together.
So here we were, all kitted out with skis, boots and poles, attempting to drag them to the Spirit 1950 ski school meeting point for our lesson. As Arc 1950 is such a small resort, all the ski school groups meet in the similar place, however there are posts showing which group needs to go where.
Laura conquering the mountain
We found our group, and it turned out I was the only one who didn’t speak French – this was not a problem as the ski instructor said he would be explaining things in both French and English which was extremely helpful during the 2 and a half hour lesson.
We were both a bit apprehensive of what we were going to do – having no idea how to even stand up on skis!! First thing we did was to push ourselves along with the poles – easy enough, and a good way to learn how to keep your balance. We were then told to put our poles down – what?! Our little safety blanket to keep us upright! Snow plough was next, easy enough in theory, but putting into practice was a little difficult. After a couple of attempts, most people had sort of got the hang of it. We were still in the Arc 1950 village which does not have a lot of room to practice, so we got the pedestrian lift up to Arc 2000, which literally takes a few minutes.
For the remainder of the lesson, we spent the time shuffling up a little bit of slope and then coming down and attempting to snow plough. We also got shown how to turn, and stop at the same time. The lesson was really enjoyable, even though not everyone spoke the same language, everyone helped each other out, if it was helping them to get up to slope, or grabbing on to someone when you felt yourself slipping a little bit! Although I only had one 2 and a half hour lesson, I can imagine that having the full week’s worth of lessons would be such fun, and would learn so much! The instructor said that the lesson the next day, he would be taking the group onto some slopes, so quite a quick progression. I do believe this is the only way to learn, get stuck in as quickly as possible.
Overall, I had a fantastic time on my ski lesson, I would however say to any beginners, be prepared to have some very tired legs! How wonderful that we had the afternoon at the Spa at Le Village to relax and put our feet up! I am now planning on heading out to the Alps next winter and having a week’s worth of lessons – I will be joining my colleagues on the slopes in no time!
Laura Mann, Administration Assistant, Erna Low
Prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. Erna Low Ski holidays www.ernalow.co.uk
Our best-kept secret is out! The Telegraph has named fab restaurant, L’Ancolie in Nancroix, as one of best lunch spots in the Alps! We recommend enjoying a morning of skiing at La Plagne or Les Arcs before heading off to a leisurely lunch. But don’t stay too long…or do…:). It’s up to you!
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