From 6 to 19 February, Courchevel and Méribel host the Alpine Skiing World Championships. Interview with Christophe Mugnier, deputy general manager of the event, who takes stock of the latest preparations, spectator access and entertainment.
Actumontagne: Are you ready for these world championships?
Christopher Mugnier : Yes. Preparation proceeds normally. The World Cup finals at the end of last winter were quite an ordeal. There is hardly any editing to be done on the slopes. We had simply noticed some traffic difficulties for skiers and spectators. For this reason we have reworked this aspect, in particular in Courchevel, creating platforms for the spectators and remodeling the Murette track, which has been made wider and easier. The main difficulty is to respect the provisional budget. We are up 10%, due to inflation. We try to save a little on all items, without compromising on quality.
What about the expected crowds and different spectator areas?
We should have 25 to 30,000 spectators at each location on weekends, 15,000 for the giants (Thursday 16 and Friday 17) and rather 5 to 10,000 on other weekdays (for combined and parallel, individual and team). Downhill and slalom are the most popular races, ahead of giant and superg (for both men and women). A total of around 150,000 spectators are expected. But the good results of the French in the first events could increase attendances.
Seats cost €50 on weekdays and €60 on weekends in seated grandstands, €20/€30 for standing in the finish area and are free along the platforms. In particular, on each track there will be two fan zones with a bar, a giant screen and an entertainer. One of them, in Méribel, is about a five-minute walk from the finish line. Access to the other three is only on skis. Viewers will be able to follow approximately 25 seconds of the race in “real life” and the rest of the race on the giant screen. We also have special rates for families (2 adults and 2 children) and groups of 10 or more.
How to come to participate in the world championships?
We have several buses from Annecy, Chambéry, Grenoble and Lyon to Courchevel/Méribel on the days of the event. We will also have relay car parks in Moûtiers, Bozel, La Léchère and Aigueblanche, from where we can come by bus (€10 return/person), with times fixed according to the times of the events, to arrive serenely and close to the race (from 5 to 10 minutes walking at the most). Not forgetting the free access shuttles between Courchevel and Méribel (via the Tania road), which on race days will run every 15 minutes, from 7.30am to 8pm from Courchevel le Praz and from 7.45am to 8.30pm from Méribel La Chaudanne. Everything is done so that you don’t have to take your own car and have a smooth experience of the region with public transport specially organized for this occasion. There are also numerous local shuttles (departing from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Landry, Aime and Moutiers) and regional (from Lyon, Grenoble, Chambéry, Annecy and Albertville). And of course the Olympe gondola lift, which connects Brides-les-Bains to Méribel, accessible free of charge from 6 to 19 February from 7am to 6pm. Holidaymakers residing in Brides can also take advantage of the free shuttle that runs through the village to reach the cable car (from 8.00 to 11.00 and from 15.00 to 18.15 until 3 February, from 8.00 to 11.00 and from 15.30 on 21 April).
What activities are planned during this World Cup?
A spectator village with free access will be set up in each finish area, with batucadas, walks/street theatre, simulators or activities for children, concerts of the local Savoyard scene, freestyle mountain bike demonstrations, sweet awakenings with yoga, dance, street art , etc., a bar/restaurant section… Every day of competition on the Medal Plaza of Méribel (located on the snow front of Chaudanne), from 4.30pm, there will be free concerts (11 in total, with artists of national and international renown *), the delivery of the medals for the day’s race (6.30 pm) and then the drawing of the race numbers for the race of the following day. Not forgetting, in the center of the village, site visits (Méribel, Courchevel 1850 and Le Praz), photographic exhibitions, films and conferences.
Interview by Martin Léger
All information on www.courchevelmeribel2023.com
* Concert program: Ben L’oncle Soul Monday February 6, Big Ukulele Syndicate Tuesday February 7, Synapson Wednesday February 8, Flavia Coehlo Thursday February 9, Chinese Man + Youthstar Friday February 10, Vitalic Saturday February 11, Deluxe Sunday February 12 , Pfel & Greem Wednesday 15 February, LEJ Thursday 16 February, Danakil Friday 17 February, Feder Saturday 18 February.
Photo of one: Toya, the mascot of the Courchevel-Méribel 2023 world championships © Sylvain Aimoz / Méribel Tourisme
