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
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DEVIATION
124.50m
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NUMBER OF LEFT HAND BENDS
8
.
NUMBER OF RIGHT HAND BENDS
11
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how to get there from meribel
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
