Changes in Champoluc for Winter 2019
As Champoluc, along with every other resort in the Alps, works hard to make themselves a‘must visit’ destination for skiers, the construction of new lifts and hotels is always something to inspire visitors. The resort is eagerly awaiting the opening of two new hotels, the replacement and enhancement of the main gondola and the distinct possibility that work on the new lift, linking the Ayas Valley with Cervinia, will start soon.
The new 5* Camp Zero, situated opposite the Hotel Le Campagnol, has reputedly cost more than Euros 100,000,000 to build and whilst it is currently still a building site, it is due to open at the end of June. Managed by the charismatic Claudio, this resort-style hotel breaks the mould of the more traditional hotels in Champoluc and, whilst the style might not appeal to all, the property could well become THE place to stay in Champoluc. With indoor swimming pool, stylish bar, 2 restaurants and indoor climbing wall, the hotel will be chic and contemporary, whilst not looking out of place in wooded surrounds framed by the Monterosa range.
The 4* Hotel Charmant Petit Lac takes its architectural inspiration from the traditional Walser houses seen in the nearby resort of Alagna. Nestled alongside the river on the site of the old clay tennis courts, this charming property run by Luigi and his wife, will offer great quality accommodation right in the centre of the village and just a short walk from the Ski 2 ski deposit and the bottom of the main gondola. We anticipate it being extremely popular with Ski 2 guests and particularly with families who will appreciate the interconnecting rooms.
The main gondola up to Crest is due for renewal and we believe that the work to replace it will start very soon (although the planned start in April seems to have passed amidst rumours of local ‘planning issues’).
The replacement gondola will leave from beside the ski pass ticket office and rise to connect with the bottom of the Ostafa lift, alleviating the current walk between the 2 lifts and allowing space under the new gondola to re-develop the whole nursery slope area at Crest to make it much larger.
Plans for a lift to link Monterosa with Cervinia and onwards to Zermatt have been in the pipeline for many, many years so it is difficult to get too excited about the possibility that the scheme may actually happen!
We are led to believe that trees are due to be felled in the near future to make way for the pylons to carry the wire for the new cable car, so it would appear that the project will go ahead. However, details are rather scant and there appears to be no schedule for the construction works available to the general public at this stage.
The lift will link St. Jacques, a hamlet to the north of Frachey and carry passengers to the highest point between the Ayas Valley and Cervinia. Skiers will then be able to access the pistes of Cervinia, before skiing down towards St. Jacques to a mid-station from where they will take the gondola back down towards Champoluc.
Shared by Roger Walker Ski 2
