An airfield at 2.000 meters: World Cup curiosities

It was a rest day yesterday at the World Ski Championships. There was one last Friday, but the women's and men's downhill training sessions were taking place there, so there was still something going on on the World Cup slopes. Things were different yesterday: the speed specialists packed their bags and went home on Sunday, now the technicians are on their way. Take another breather before there are 19 more decisions to be made from today until Sunday, February 7th. I used the time yesterday to explore the ski area.

So off to the ski rental, where I got a good pair of Blizzard skis for 34,50 euros. The day ticket costs 72 euros, which is almost free given the range of 156 lifts and 350 kilometers of slopes. In St. Moritz you pay 105,50 Swiss francs, i.e. more than 100 euros for 155 kilometers and 24 lifts. What is different here in France are the prices for food. At Jack's, a normal bar in the village center of Méribel, a cappuccino costs 6 euros and an espresso costs 3 euros. For a 0,75 cl still mineral water you have to pay 7 euros or more almost everywhere. And the large beer (0,5) only costs 6 euros in the press center, otherwise between 8 and 11 euros everywhere else.

Salted prices Even the Oktoberfest prices for the measure (1 liter) at 14 euros are a bargain. The hotel prices are also high, especially in the 15 five-star hotels, which are mainly located in the renowned Courchevel 1850. The family of ski star Alexis Pinturault runs the Annapurna Hotel, which is located just below the small airport. Last weekend an overnight stay would cost 1587 euros via the booking platform booking. com was available. You can also have it a step more expensive. In Chalet Courchevel you could have rented an entire house for 34.795 euros during these French winter ski holidays. The prices in the many gourmet temples are no longer that important. For a tasting menu, prices start at 400 euros, the vegetable risotto costs 46 euros, the roast lamb costs 63 euros and yes - a portion of fries costs 18 euros, without ketchup and mayo.

We prefer to stay “down there” in Courchevel Le Praz, where the men’s race finishes. There is only a bakery and 5 restaurants, including one with “normalo” prices, and a sports bar. There is life there, everyone who wants to have peace and quiet is there every day. And where on the big screens it's mainly rugby - the Six Nations tournament is currently running - and the Champions League football is being watched tonight - Paris SG against Bayern. Something different than just alpine skiing.

And there is something else that makes Courchevel so special: its airport. It's not located somewhere in the plains down near Albertville, from where it's around 80 kilometers up into the mountains, but above all the hotels next to a chair lift and an après ski bar at 2007 meters. Anyone who takes the wrong door after a few beers and cocktails will fall straight onto the runway. Imagine that at Kronplatz, in addition to the Messner Mountain Museum, there would also be an airfield or altiport, as it is called in technical jargon, that would welcome its exclusive guests. The runway is only 538 meters long and has a gradient of up to 18 percent.

The Altiport Courchevel is considered one of the most dangerous airfields in the world. The pilot must have his own qualifications for the approach, as there is no longer any possibility of taking off. The airfield was also previously served by scheduled flights, such as 50-seat Dash-7 aircraft from Tyrolean Airways. Today the Altiport is mainly used by helicopters and sports aircraft. That's why: Here, in the French Alps, almost anything is possible for money. You should just have enough with you.

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An airfield at 2.000 meters: World Cup curiosities

It was a rest day on Monday at the World Ski Championships. Dolomites editor Andreas Vieider used the time to look around Courchevel/Meribel.

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