This November, Heli Securite’s winter base in Courchevel and almost all corners of the Alps have been blanketed in deep snow. This significant early season snowfall has led to a host of European ski resorts opening early and will no-doubt push demand for December breaks. Some resorts have had falls of more than two metres and thanks to the cold temperatures; snow making has also started in earnest. This has allowed the resorts to establish many of their pistes already, even on the lower slopes.
In Courchevel 1850, lifts were opened on 23rd November for the day, over two weeks before the official start of the season on 7th December. It is also possible that the openings of the lower Courchevel resorts of 1650 and 1550 will be moved forward from their current date of 14th December.
Helicopters on the Geneva Couchevel route take just 30 minutes to reach resort, providing the most convenient and enjoyable way to cross the Alps. Heli Securité are already running luxury helicopter transfers to a variety of alpine ski resorts to cater for clients wanting to make the most of the excellent early season conditions.
Elsewhere in the Alps, the glacier resorts of Tignes, Val Thorens and Alpe d’Huez have all opened early whilst, Val d’Isere and Verbier are two high-profile openings coming up on 30th November. French favourite La Clusaz has been opening at weekends, whilst the Portes du Soleil resorts of Chatel and Avoriaz are due to open 1 week earlier than scheduled on 7th December.
Geneva helicopter transfers are a quick and easy route to Chamonix, which has just announced the opening of its Grand Montets area on 30th November for a preview weekend before the official opening on 7th December. There will be reduced price lift passes on offer for both days as well as special accommodation packages offered by the Tourist Office.
The early snowfall certainly signals an extremely positive start to the 2013/14 ski season in Europe with more snow forecast in several areas in the next week. Thanks to this early start, the snowfall this year could even exceed the high figures of the 20011/12 and 2012/13 seasons!
