Whitetracks have been informed by the operators of outdoor Ice-Karting that it won't be operating this year - but just incase - here are the details.

Whitetracks has had many problems with the Outdoor Ice Karting activity - Problems include; not all the karts operating and the majority of the karts that are operating having numerous problems themselves i.e. wobbly wheels etc. If a kart brakes down there is usually not one to replace it.

This is a real shame as outdoor ice karting is a huge amount of fun - even when the karts aren't 100% the activity is good but if something does go wrong it interrupts the flow ultimately spoiling the enjoyment of the overall activity.

Come and check out the ice's temperature, have a go at learning to drive on ice. With its roots embedded deep within go-karting Ice karting is the latest craze to hit the ice. Ice Karting is a very exciting and thrilling activity, it’s fast and furious, even intense at times with your driving skills being tested to their limits. Through the introduction of studded tyres, Ice karting is a totally new driving experience requiring very different driving skills where technique wins over outright speed,  allowing drivers of all ages and experience as long as they are of a certain height to compete on level terms. Gentle nudging of the opponents karts is all part of the fun, but excessive use of bumper car tactics will rapidly earn you the infamous black flag forcing you into early retirement.  Make a competition out of it or just let each person take their turn to test there driving skills and ability. 

Ice Karting in Courchevel takes place on an outdoor track in an area of Courchevel called les Grand Combes which is situated between Courchevel 1550 and Courchevel 1650. The track itself is approximately 600m long and 6m wide with variety of hair-pins bends with plenty of space for overtaking or being over taken as the real case might be.

The track is encased with walls of snow that occasionally people do actually end up driving up and getting stuck. The impatient among you, usually can't wait to get rescued vacating the kart and sorting the problem out themselves - if that is the case BE CAREFUL of the other karts on the track! When the light fades in the late of the evening the track is flood lit for some fast and furious night-time ice Karting.

Les Grands Combes and the Outdoor Ice Karting is about a 20 minute drive from the centre of Meribel using the mountain road from Meribel to Courchevel - traveling past Meribel Village, La Tania and through La Praz.

Ice Karting in Courchevel takes place daily ice conditions permitting - with the tracks location based at quite a low altitude the snow and ice deteriorates quite quickly throughout the season - especially with the last few winters that we have had. When this happens the Ice karting operator sometimes move their opening and closing times back opening and closing later than the times listed.

When outdoor ice karting is operating properly they are open daily from 4.00pm (1600hrs) - 8.00pm (2000hrs). If staying in Meribel it is necessary to book your chosen time or ice karting slot. If you were to turn up out the blue there is no guarantee that you will get a go and this probably won't be due to there being to many people. It will be more like the operators not being there. If you pre-book your slot they will be there for you to take part 

Arriving 5 minutes - 10 minutes before the allocated time slot, you will need to make your way through the small car park near the snow covered tennis courts down the small thin foot path to the Ice kart operators port-a-cabin. When in the port-a-cabin you will be made to read the brief and safety instructions that are stuck to the wall along side the notice that says about any payments that need to be made for damages made to the karts or equipment belonging to the Ice Kart operating company.

Once these instructions have been read and fully understood you will be provided with a hair net which for hygiene reasons you will be made to wear before choosing your helmet and putting it on. When fully kitted out with helmet and hair net you will then make your way out of the port-a-cabin and made to walk down the rest of the foot path to where the karts are - next to the entrance of the ice karting track itself.

When you get there the operator will make you get in the karts and will then tell you when you are ready to leave the pit (Kart parking area) to join the track. After your 10 minutes driving the Ice Karts has finished the operator will stop the activity calling you back in to the pit lane where you will be made to vacate the karts. You will then take the helmet back to the port-a-cabin, throw away the used hair net and prepare for the journey home.

As with all the activities Ice Karting comes with restrictions. It is important that Alcohol is NOT consumed before taking part. If Alcohol has been consumed the Ice Karting Operator is within right to refuse you access to the ice for your ice karting session. If this happens you will lose any moneys paid for the ice karting activity.

Outdoor Ice Karting has an age restriction of 15 years of age and older. The karts are fast, they have twin engines and are being driven on snow and ice. Please understand it is up to the discrepancy of the Operator NOT Whitetracks as to whether the child can take part or not.

The Ice Karting company supplies hair nets for you to wear for hygiene purposes under the helmet that is also supplied. The wearing of a helmet whilst taking part in the ice karting activity is compulsory. Gloves are not always available so if you are prone to getting cold hands it is advisable to take your own gloves.

The Ice karting activity takes place outdoors, it is essential that you dress for this! Even if your times slot is of the earlier time the Ice Karting track is situated in a slight valley meaning that it is nearly always in the shade. Ski Jacket, Ski pants (salopettes) and ski gloves are a must for this activity. Wearing a ski jacket and ski pants will also provide a little padding for your lower back which will help as the track gets quite bumpy and you seem to feel this more especially being so close to the ground.

Whitetracks has had many problems with the Outdoor Ice Karting activity - Problems include; not all the karts operating and the majority of the karts that are operating having numerous problems themselves i.e. wobbly wheels etc. If a kart brakes down there is usually not one to replace it.

This is a real shame as outdoor ice karting is a huge amount of fun - even when the karts aren't 100% the activity is good but if something does go wrong it interrupts the flow ultimately spoiling the enjoyment of the overall activity.