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.
Les grand combes - between
courchevel 1550 and courchevel 1650
600m outdoor track in the shape of a
giant question mark without the dot!
.
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.
.
how to get there
.
Les GrandsCombes and the
Outdoor Ice Kartingis
about a 20 minute drive from the centre of Meribel
using the mountain road from Méribel to Courchevel - traveling past
MéribelVillage, 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 kartingoperator 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 Méribel 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
5 minute - 10 minute organization of
equipment / 'no' real Safety brief
10 minutes driving
5 minutes handing in equipment
.
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.
alcohol must not be consumed before
karting! - after its
compulsory...
Age - 15+
.
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.
?? karts available - Individuals and
groups catered for
Capacity - ?? / hour
.
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.
