Experience the thrill that is not far removed from that to be
had in a competition bobsleigh. Invented to let the general public have a
try at this thrilling sport on ice. 4 passengers can embark on a descent
at the top speed of around 80km/h whilst experiencing a maximum of 2.5
G's in a self guiding and self braking raft.
late
afternoon - early evening DEPENDENT ON OTHER TRACK FIXTURES
DEPENDENT ON
WEATHER AND ICE CONDITIONS
.
Due to the Bob Rafting activity needing ice the Bobsleigh
track is only open during certain months of the year. October is the
earliest that the track can open with the warmer temperatures of March
forcing the track to close early in the season.
.
The Bobsleigh track
in La Plagne is the only Bobsleigh track in France meaning not only is it
open to the General public but more importantly it is open to Bobsleigh,
Skeleton and Luge teams from France and other teams from across the World
that come and train on a regular basis. Due to this training the track
itself is open to the General public to take part in the Bob Raft on
daily basis except Mondays BUT ONLY between certain times (Late afternoon
-Early evening) These times can be open to change by right of the
operating company.
.
The Bobsleigh track
and Bob Rafting activity can also be prone to closure when the weather or
ice conditions are not right. If it is snowing excessively heavy the
workers sometimes don't have enough time to clear the snow away from the
track before it is covered again. Although rare it does happen when it
does the track does not operate.
La Plagne has one of the best bobsleigh tracks in the world.
It was the official Olympic track used for the Olympic Games at
Albertville in 1992. It is 1500m long which allows you to experience an
average speed of 80km/h in a Bob Raft feeling forces up to 2.5 G's in the
bends.
.
TRACK
STATISTICS
.
LENGTH OF TRACK
1507.50m
.
DEPARTING
ALTITUDE
1684.35m
.
ARRIVAL
ALTITUDE
1559.85m
.
DEVIATION
124.50m
.
NUMBER OF LEFT
HAND BENDS
8
.
NUMBER OF RIGHT
HAND BENDS
11
.
how
to get there from Courchevel 1850
.
La Plagne is not connected in anyway to Courchevel other than
road or by air. To drive to La Plagne it is necessary to drive down the
mountain from Courchevel to Moutiers. From Moutiers you need to head up
the valley road towards Aime and Bourg St Maurice. After about 20 minutes
driving you need to turn off and enter Aime. From Aime you need to start
making your way back up the mountain to La Plagne. The whole journey from
Courchevel 1850 to La Plagne takes about 50-60 minutes depending on
traffic and weather.
Collected from your chalet or Hotel you and the other
participants will be transported straight to the Olympic Bobsleigh track
in La Plagne. The Whitetracks host will then walk with you to the main
desk where they will introduce you all the operators, answer any final
questions or queries that you may have and make sure that you are being
looked after properly.
.
The Whitetracks host will then make their way down to corner
six the first major G force corner to take photos of the Bob Raft as it
whips past. Once the Bob Raft has gone past the host will then walk back
to the top of the track and wait patiently for your return ready to
escort you back Courchevel, straight to your chalet or hotel. Whitetracks Host
Catch a Helicopter from the helipad at the Altiport in
Courchevel to the Olympic Bobsleigh track in La Plagne. A Whitetracks Host will at the Helipad
in La Plagne awaiting your arrival ready to escort you and the
participants to the Bobsleigh track. Once you have finished the Bob Raft
activity the Host will again escort back to the Helicopter where you will
catch it back to Courchevel. - Click
Here for Details
5-15
minutes - signing in, brief and collection of helmet
5
minutes - getting into and organisation in Bob RAFT
Approximately
90 second descent
5-10
minutes organisation at the bottom and then transfer back to the top
.
When you arrive 10
minutes before your allocated time you will need to go to the front desk
to sign in. To get to the front desk from the Bobsleigh track car par
park you will need to walk through the big open metal gates turn right,
walk across the top of the track 'the push start area' and through the
doors into the competitors changing room.
.
Once signed in you
will need to wait until you are called. Once called the operator will
open up the desk and direct you through a door which will lead you to a
room where you will need to choose a helmet. When choosing a helmet make
sure you choose one that is firm and secure on your head. PLEASE remember
to fasten the clip which will ensure that the helmet does not come off.
.
Once you have you helmet you are now in line to take part in
the Bob Raft. You will need to wait until you are called for your turn.
When it is your go one of the instructors will call you and the other
three people in your Bob Raft forward. Using the metal steps provided you
will climb over the track ice wall and make your way to the empty Bob
Raft. BE CAREFUL it is sheet ice and very slippery. When you are next to
the Bob Raft, one of the instructors will put you in one at a time and
fasten you all in safely. He will then tell you where to put your heads
for the best view down. When everyone is securely in the Bob Raft its
just a matter of waiting until its time to go! When ready the Instructor
will start pushing you forward till eventually he will let go and
away you will go!.... ENJOY THE RIDE!!
.
The Bob Raft DOES NOT have a professional pilot or driver its
just four passengers in a big wide foam padded cell that runs on 20cm
wide runners that through gravity is a self guiding, self braking
bobsleigh that is articulated lengthways and in rotation for sound
stability that follows the curvature of the track until it reaches the
end.
.
At the bottom of the track, the Bob Raft will travel up an
incline to slow down. When the Bob Raft has come to a complete standstill
the instructor will connect a wire to the front of the Bob Raft ready to
pull it up the rest of the slope. When ready the instructor will tell you
all to jump out. AGAIN be careful you will be stepping out onto sheet
ice. Once everyone is out of the Bob Raft they will remove the it from
the track, and slide it onto the back of the truck. All the participant
will get into the truck and you will all be brought back up to the top of
the track.
The Bob Raft was
invented in order to let the general public see what it was like to to
take part in the Bobsleigh but without the intenseness of Bobsleigh
itself. The Bob Raft is an ideal way of providing this thrill to older
children and teenagers that are not old enough to take part in the true
Bobsleigh experience.
The Bobsleigh track
supply you with a helmet it is compulsory that you wear it whilst taking
part in the Bob Raft activity. It is almost inevitable that at some point
your head will either hit the side of the bob Raft or will hit one of the
other passengers heads on the way down. Although all the helmets supplied
are closed face helmets, they do not have visors to pull down - should you
wish to bring goggles you can decide when you get there whether you are
going to wear them or not. Many people do not wear goggles but if you
have them with you, you then have the choice.
The Bobsleigh track
by its very nature needs to be kept cold to help preserve the ice, due to
this the track was built in a valley. Past a certain time in the
day the track receives no daylight. The Bobsleigh track in La Plagne is
one of the coldest places on earth. Dress warm there is nothing worse
than feeling cold whilst taking part in an activity especially one so
spectacular as the Bob Raft. REMEMBER if you are cold it's only going to
take the edge of your overall enjoyment. WEAR warm ski clothing - Jacket,
Sallopettes and Gloves.
There are a number
of staff at the Bobsleigh track who are all there to perform their
individual jobs. You have the guy that puts you into the Bob Raft and
then straps or seat belts you in and then once ready he then pushes the
Bob Raft which then sends you down the track.
.
There are guys
dotted down the track on the different corners who after each Bob Raft
descent sprays the corners with water and then scrapes the ice smooth
again with special scrapers keeping the ice in near perfect condition for
the next Bob Raft.
A self guiding and
self braking raft made of composite materials shaped like bobsleighs and
mounted on 20cm wide blades, foam padded for comfort and articulated
lengthways and in rotation for sound stability.
