Get
behind the controls of a Piste Basher (snow
cat), learn how to drive and operate this large tracked vehicle a genuine
grooming machine round a varied circuit assisted by a professional pilot.
depending on snow conditions and
instructor availability
.
Piste basher driving or snowcat
driving excursions are available daily but are governed by two factors.
These factors are are instructor availability,
if there is not a qualified instructor available then the activity itself
can not take place. Secondly and the factor that effects the operation
the most of all is that of snow conditions. The operating company likes
to run you through everything to do with piste
basher driving, this includes the pushing of snow around which then can
be groomed as if you were doing it on the slopes and ski runs themselves.
If there is not enough snow to perform this task then the activity will
NOT operate.
.
Although this activity operates at quite a high altitude
approximately 1900m due to the recent snow conditions we have been having
over the last few years the Piste Basher
driving activity has only operated a few weeks during the season.
The Piste Basher Driving circuit is based in Courchevel 1850 near CourchevelAltiport and next to the restaurant Cap Horn.
The circuit consists of a 1.2km track with
high bends, embankments, bumps and sloped corners but being in a piste basher you will be able to go pretty much
anywhere.
.
how to get there FROM MERIBEL
.
SKI
If you
are going to ski to the Piste Basher Driving
activity YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE NORMAL
SHOES with you in order to take part. From La ChaudanneMeribel's main lift area you will need to catch
the Burgin Saulire cable car (bubble lift) The
dirty looking yellow coloured lift that takes you to the top of the Saulire (the main link fro Meribel
to Courchevel). At the very top station you
will need to get out of the bubble car and walk down the rubber matted
slope to where everyone puts their skis on. Once you have you skis or
snowboard on you will need to turn right and ski the top of the Sanglier as if you were skiing towards Meribel. Near the bottom of the first main slope
there will be a huge rock with sign posts on it saying right for Meribel, left for Courchevel.
You will need to go left. From here you will need to ski the theCreux (a red run),
about half way down the Creux just before it
runs flat for a short distance you will see that it splits, you need to
take the left hand split just above a lift station and ski along the
track. This will eventually bring you to the top station of the Creux lift - KEEP skiing, from here you will see the
Suisse Chair lift on the left hand side. At the Suisse chair take the far
right hand fork and ski along the flat slope. On the right hand side just
before the restaurant 'Cap Horn' is the Piste
Basher Driving Circuit. Look for the Piste
Basher and the instructor.
.
WHITETRACKS HOST - SKI TO
Hire a
Whitetracks Host to ski with you for ½ or a full day,
they will meet you at a pre-prescribed meeting point at the time
requested. They will ski with you taking you to some of the best snow and
runs in the Meribel and CourchevelValleys and will make sure that
you get to the activity on time. Whitetracks Host
.
WHITETRACKS HOST - DRIVE TO
Collected
from your chalet you will be transported straight to the Piste Basher Driving venue. The Whitetracks host will
then walk with you up to the Piste Basher where
they will introduce you all the instructor, answer any final questions or
queries that you may have and make sure that you are being looked after
properly. The Host will then stay at the Piste
Basher Driving site taking pictures of you driving around the track waiting
for the activity to finish ready to escort you back to your chalet or
hotel in Meribel. Whitetracks
Host
.
Piste Basher (Snowcat) -
Operation / Duration and Format
You should arrive to meet the Instructor 5-10 minutes before
the requested time. The Instructor might keep you waiting but PLEASE do
not keep them waiting. If you need to catch lifts and ski runs in order
to get to the meeting point please allow time for lift queues, time to
travel on them and time to ski the runs.
.
When in
the Piste Basher the Instructor will give you a
quick brief and run you through all the controls. During the session the
instructor will be sat beside you providing you will guidance throughout.
You will learn how to push snow, how to groom the slopes, ultimately how
to drive a Piste Basher.
17 if you drive agricultural machines for a
living
.
The only restrictions for the Piste
Basher Driving activity are that of age. To take part you must be 18
years old and hold a driving license. If you are 17 but drive
agricultural equipment for a living it maybe possible to take part.
Piste Basher driving is
a daytime mountain activity PLEASE dress appropriately
- dress warm ski clothing is essential there is nothing worse than
feeling cold whilst tacking part in an activity. Being cold will effect
the overall enjoyment of the activity. You will need normal shoes to take
part in the activity.
