What’s new for the 2009/10 Ski season – Part 3

Summer can be a very busy time at ski resorts as they get things ready for the new season. Here’s our third round up of some of the developments that have been taking place since the end of last season, we’ll be adding more as we hear about them…

Grand Massif: 2 new 6 men high speed chair lifts have been installed in the Grand Massif, Les Molliets has been replaced with a new 6 man chairlift and the new Chariande Express, replacing Chariande 1, will give direct access to the top of Saix in just 9 minutes.

Val d’Isere: A new leisure centre has opened in Val d’Isere and with 5000m2 of sporting equipment,, including 780m2 of different swimming pools there is plenty for everyone to choose from:

a 250m² swimming pool

a 430m² leisure pool

a 135m² climbing area

a 575m² multi-activity sports hall

a 209m² weights room

2 x 64m² squash courts

225m² well-being area with sauna, steam bat, spa, cold baths and hydro-massage (ooh sounds good!)

On the slopes a new freestyle bag (a giant air mattress!) has been installed on the slopes so that you can try out new aerials without worrying about a painful crash landing!

St Anton: The new Rendlbahn is still on track to open in Devember with the base station having ben moved to a new location close to the Galzigbahn. A new 8-seater gondola, with heated seats, will be able to carry up to 2000 people an hour in only seven and a half minutes, making it over a third faster than the original 1974 Rendlbahn.

Nakiska: The New Monster Glades at Nakiska will give skiers and riders more access to gladed terrain with the widening of trails and increased runs in the trees.  Other trail improvements include the widening of three runs to 60 metres and extending the core training run “Mapmaker” by 650 metres. In addition to this the new Gold Chair Express, a high speed quad lift, will take skiers to the top of the mountain in less than five minutes.

What’s new in ski resorts 2009/10 part 1 and part 2 can be found here.

If you know of any more resort developments do let us know!