Piloted by a
professional Bobsleigh driver shoot down the icy corridor in
a real bobsleigh like the bobsleighs used in competition
reaching speeds in excess of 100-120km/h whilst feeling
forces from 3½
- 4½
G's in the bends.
.
HISTORY
.
The bobsleigh track at La Plagne was built
for the Olympic Games Albertville in 1992. The bobsleigh
track was built in La Plagne thanks to the enthusiasm of the
Bobsleigh club in Macot, an area of La Plagne itself. The
bobsleigh club in Macot was the only club in the Savoie
region which still had active members. They used the old
mining track in La Plagne to organise bob competitions on
the road.
.
From the 8th to the 23rd February 1992 the
Olympic track in La Plagne welcomed 350 athletes from 27
different countries to take part in the 3 different luge
competitions and 2 different bobsleigh competitions: Men’s
singles, women’s singles and men’s doubles and the Two man and
four man Bob.
.
Since 1992 the track has been open every
winter for bobsleighing, luge and skeleton. It is the only
track in France. Clubs and teams from all over the world
come here to train and take part in the various competitions
throughout the season. The track is open most evenings for
the public to try the Bob-Raft and the Taxi-Bob. Over 10 000
people have already experienced the thrills of these
activities in La Plagne.
1630HRS -
1830HRS - DEPENDENT ON OTHER TRACK FIXTURES - RACES / MEETS
etc
DEPENDENT
ON WEATHER AND ICE CONDITIONS
.
Due to the Bobsleigh 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 only open to the General public to take part in
the Bobsleigh (Taxi-Bob) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
between certain times that can be open to change by right of
the operating company.
.
The Bobsleigh
track and 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.
.
Bobsleigh / Bob Sledding
- LOCATION and track description
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 in excess of 100km/h in a competition bobsleigh feeling
forces in excess of 3.5 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
.
WHITETRACKS TEAM - FASTEST SPEED
123km/h
.
WHITETRACKS TEAM - FASTEST TIME
58.31secs
.
how to get
there from Courchevel
.
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
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
Bobsleigh as it whips past. Once the Bobsleigh 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 Bobsleigh activity the Host will again
escort back to the Helicopter where you will catch it back
to Courchevel. -
Click Here for Details
Step onto the
VIP Bob-Bus™
in Courchevel and get transported to the Olympic Bobsleigh
track in La Plagne in style. With
Whitetracks Snow Bunnies™
hosting, a DVD player and a bar serving chilled beer and
Champagne on the return journey it will be a winter
experience you're never forget.
Click Here for
Details
5-15 minutes -
signing in, brief and collection of helmet
5 minutes -
getting into and organisation in Bobsleigh
Approximately
60 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
Bobsleigh. 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 two people in your Bobsleigh forward.
Using the metal steps provided you will climb over the track
ice wall and make your way to the empty Bobsleigh. BE
CAREFUL it is sheet ice and very slippery. When you are next
to the Bobsleigh, your allocated driver 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, he will
also explain where the handles are for you hold on the way
down. When everyone including the driver is in the Bobsleigh
its just a matter of waiting until its time to go!
.
When the
drivers comfortable and ready one of the other instructors
will grab the handles at the back of the bobsleigh slowly
side you backwards and then line the Bobsleigh up - pointing
you down the track. He will then start pushing you forward
till eventually he will let go and away you will go!....
ENJOY THE RIDE!!
.
At the bottom
of the track, the Bobsleigh will travel up an incline to
slow down. When the Bobsleigh has come to a complete
standstill the driver will jump out and one at a time once
your safety belts have been unfastened you will do the same.
AGAIN be careful you will be stepping out onto sheet ice.
Once everyone is out of the Bobsleigh they will remove the
Bobsleigh from the track, slide its metal runners into
wooden blocks and then slide the Bobsleigh 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 Bobsleigh
is quite a Brutal activity, it literary is a bone shaker. As
the Bobsleigh gets faster and faster the further it gets
down the track the more the passengers get shaken about.
Although crammed in you feel nice and secure if not a little
squashed, your upper body though, especially with the extra
weight of the helmet gets flung from side to side as you hit
corner after corner. With the added pressure from the G
forces pushing you down inside the Bobsleigh it is important
that no one with the above problems take part in the
Bobsleigh activity.
The Bobsleigh
track supply you with a helmet it is compulsory that you
wear it whilst taking part in the Bobsleigh activity. It is
almost inevitable that at some point your head will either
hit the side of the bobsleigh 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 Bobsleigh. 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 Bobsleigh and then straps or seat belts you in
and then once the Bobsleigh is ready he then pushes the
Bobsleigh which then sends you down the track.
.
There are guys
dotted down the track on the different corners who after
each Bobsleigh 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
Bobsleigh.
.
Most
Importantly there is the Pilot, the driver, this is the guy
who is going to navigate you and the other two passengers
down all 1500m of icy corridor that is laid out in front of
you. The drivers are all very highly experienced, they do it
on a daily basis, some of the drivers have also taken part
in the Olympics for the French National team, so you will be
in good hands.
.
Bobsleigh / Bob Sledding - EQUIPMENT
SPECIFICATIONS
