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 meribel
.
La Plagne is
not connected in anyway to Meribel other than road or by
air. To drive to La Plagne it is necessary to drive down the
mountain from Meribel 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 Meribel
to La Plagne takes about 50-60 minutes depending on traffic
and weather.
Collected from
your chalet 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 Meribel, straight to your chalet or hotel. Whitetracks
Host
Catch a
Helicopter from the helipad at the Altiport in Meribel 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 Meribel. -
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.
