the press kit

Orelle,
is a young ski-resort,
only twenty years old!
So young and already so experienced...
Orelle, a small Savoyard resort with 450 residents, has taken
advantage of the expansion of the 3 Valleys ski area to become
an exceptional destination in its own right. It will satisfy lovers
of wild and beautiful landscapes, winter sports enthusiasts,
and hiking or mountain biking fans... The construction of the gondola giving access to the Three Valleys
opened Orelle up as an independent tourist destination 20 years
ago. It is one of the few access points between the Maurienne and
Tarentaise Valleys and it is also the gateway allowing Italian skiers
to access the Trois Vallées.
1 / Tradition
& modernity
Whether it’s winter or summer, you will love this village which
has become a real ski resort thanks to the construction of a
gondola twenty years ago. This allowed the Maurienne valley to
connect to the largest ski area of the world: the 3 valleys.
Combining tradition and modernity:
is the exceptional achievement managed by Orelle,a resort
nestled 880 meters above sea level, in the heart of the
Maurienne Valley. The area has managed to preserve its
rural character. It remains a charming traditional mountain
village of 450 inhabitants. A picture postcard setting. Whilst
preserving its atmosphere, Orelle has been able to add modern
infrastructures: in winter, 15 minutes by gondola take you to
the Orelle-Val Thorens ski slopes and open up the whole of the
3 Vallées ski area! In summer, hiking or cycling gives the days
a soft and magic rhythm.
In winter:
In 1996, Orelle was transformed. It acquired a gondola allowing,
in only 15 min from Francoz (the lowest part of Orelle), access
to Val Thorens and Les Trois Vallees area. With a length of 5 km
in a single section, it is the longest gondola in the world. With
an Orelle-Val Thorens ski pass, skiers of all levels have 150 km
of slopes at altitudes between 2300 m and 3230 m. With a
3
Valleys lift pass, they multiply the number of possible runs by
four! 600 km of runs, 85% above 1800 m, ensure an optimal
snow level. Between Orelle and Val Thorens, La Tyrolienne,
the highest mega-zipline in the world, was launched in midFebruary 2014 and lets you fly over the fabulous Vallée de Lory.
A 1,300-meter-long line, with over 250 meters above a glacier,
enables you to fly like an eagle…You’ll just love it
In summer:
Situated in the heart of the world largest cycling area, Orelle is
the ideal base to tour around or test your performance on the
great alpine passes: Galibier, Gladon, Iseran, Mont-Cenis…. In
addition, Orelle will delight walking enthusiasts – and also
less dedicated walkers. The chemin des Moulins, Wolf Lake,
the Col de Rosael... A thousand and one routes are possible,
regardless of your proficiency as a hiker. Do not hesitate to go
to meet the flora and fauna of Orelle: they are waiting for you.
2/ It can match
its bigger rivals
The story of a quiet, traditional and authentic village, which,
due to the influence of the 3 valleys, received high-power lifts
and incredible innovations that have changed its destiny...
A bit of history: Orelle was formerly called Aurelle, from the
Latin aurum, meaning gold, probably because of its exceptional
sunshine. Last winter, it received 352 hours of sun against 331
hours for the national average. The village is made up of 10
authentic hamlets nestled a few kilometres from Italy and at
the foot of La Vanoise National park: Bonvillard, Chef-Lieu,
Francoz, La Fusine, Le Noiray, Le Pousset, Le Teppey, Les Eaux
d’Orelle and Orelette. Everywhere, you‘ll enjoy stone houses
with slate rooves lining the narrow streets. Many recent
buildings complete the charm of the village. Originally, the
inhabitants, mostly farmers and artisans, lived of agriculture
and farming and the sale of wood. There also were slate and
mineral mines scattered on both mountainsides of Orelle. The
remains of the old mills, old forges and other tanneries still
reflect this diversity of businesses that helped the village to
survive historically.
A great evolution in a century In 1893 that the construction of the electrochemical factory of
Prémont disrupted the status quo. Many inhabitants became
peasant-workers, the factory hooter now governed the life of
the inhabitants. For these workers, after the shift work finished
another day started, in the fields and the cattle sheds.
The construction of the Bissorte’s dam brought another
important change for the village. This gigantic and majestic
work was carried out between 1931 and 1935, at an altitude
of 2000 meters. Thanks to a storage basin of 40 million cubic
meters and to a forced water pipe of more than one thousand
meters in height, the energy created is distributed and exported.
Towards the end of the Sixties, the wages of workmen became
sufficient to provide for their families without having to do
additional agricultural work. Agriculture ceased to be carried
out as an economic activity. The decline of the electrochemical
factory, at the beginning of the Seventies, generated a rapid
population drop which reached an all-time low in 1991 when
the factory closed down completely.
It was only in 1996, thanks to the construction of the gondola
to Val-Thorens, that the population started to grow and that
the villages were rejuvenated and began to increase in size
again. The commune and its inhabitants then turned towards
the development of tourism - whilst always having respect for
nature and tradition. That was twenty years ago...
Cap on tourism
Orelle has continued to grow to meet the expectations of tourists,
who succumb to its charm in greater and greater numbers.
Last year, the capacity of the resort was estimated at 1200
beds, distributed in nearly 200 institutions These include
a three star residence l’Hameau des Eaux d’Orelle which
comprises eight buildings with apartments for 2 to 8 persons.
It is five minutes from the gondola (with a regular bus service),
and has a beauty, spa and pool complex as well as parking.
There is also a camp site which is open all year with 17 very
comfortable pitches (one kilometer from the gondola station)
and self-catering apartment rentals. A dozen shops and a 200 m2 beauty, spa and pool area cater for
the daily needs of tourists. The ski pass now offers the choice to
buy a full 3 Vallées pass (600 km), an Orelle-Val Thorens pass
(150 km) or an Orelle/Val Thorens and Les Menuires/ Vallée
des Belleville pass (300 km), all of them benefiting from high
performance lifts, and high quality snow. There are various
discounts for families and groups of friends.
In February 2014, Orelle added a top-flight attraction:
the highest Zipline in the world!
Between Orelle - offering its culmination in the 3 valleys, at 3230
m and Val Thorens, it promises 1 minute and 45 seconds of unique
pleasure, flying over the glacier, like an eagle, with speeds at up to
100 km / h. Thrills guaranteed! This Zipline was also elected best
innovation transport 2014 at the World Snow Award.
About gastronomy
Orelle was once rich in vineyards. It is even rumored that the first
French wine was produced here... coming from Italy!
Today, you can taste many specialities : in addition to the tartiflette
and fondue savoyarde, try tasting Mont Corbier (Alpine herbal
liquor), genepi, matouille (potato dipped in a Tome des Bauges
cheese baked with garlic and wine), polenta, Alpine Lamb, serac
(fresh cow’s milk cheese, Goat’s cheese or ewe’s cheese), Modane
bread (brioche with candied fruit), rioute (dry biscuit with anise),
rissole (small dumplings stuffed with jam or compote)... Don’t
forget also the famous traditional savoyard specialities like
beaufort, crozets, diot or emmental de Savoie! Your taste buds
will thank you!
3/ Orelle celebrates
its anniversary
on six dates
Who says birthday says cake, but also music, shows,
dances and Fireworks... Ask for the program! Orelle is
ready to blow out its 20 candles.
Sunday, December 20... «Here comes winter»:
festive and friendly day at plan Bouchet, with a snow
theme. Performances, workshops, animations, games and
snow slide, decoration of the site.
> Giant cake at the restaurant Chinal Donat.
> Monumental sculpture with sculpture workshop
for the public.
> Official party at the village from 4 pm:
• VIP area available from 16:30.
• Public welcome with hot wine or hot chocolate.
• Screening of a short film on the history of the resort,
illuminations, light show amongst the audience and
Fireworks.
• 6:30 pm, on the terrace of the bar-restaurant of the
Residence, dancing with DJ accompanied by light show.
Four illuminations evenings will take place on Monday
28 December 2015, and on Wednesdays, 10, 17 and 24
February 2016
4/ Orelle,
closest to you
Orelle is an ultra-accessible destination: two train stations
and two motorway exits are located less than 10 minutes
away by car, and three airports within two hours. How to get there? By road:
Finally, on Sunday 3 April ... «Oh, sunny days»
to celebrate the beginning of spring skiing, sample a true island
atmosphere at Plan Bouchet. Shows, dance, entertainment,
games, water slide and summer decorations are in the
program. An evening event will take place in the centre of the
village: a short speech will precede a light show and Fireworks. A team of percussionists and a burlesque troupe strolling through
the crowd will add atmosphere to the day. Two concerts will take
place outside: caliente atmosphere with Latin guitar by Pablo de
Castro and Willy Dugarte salsa. Dont forget
You are not likely to get bored in Orelle:
Do check out
> final of the vertical 3000 - ski touring
> the 3 Vallées enduro and concerts every weekend
from 4 pm on the gondola square.
we are 2 hours from Lyon, Turin and Geneva, 1 h 30 from
Grenoble, 1 hour from Chambery, and 6 kilometers from the
nearest motorway exit. You won’t have to take a single winding
mountain road, so feared by the «car sick brigade», to get to
their destination. Once there, all the car parks are free. The
biggest one, easy to find, is by the roadside. In addition, you
can access to Orelle from two countries - France or Italy! From
France, follow the A43 until Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and
the RD-1006 on 6 km. From Italy, follow the A43 to Modane
then RD 1006 on 10 km.
By train:
Saint-Michel/Valloire or Modane stations are very close. No
train changes from Paris, Brussels, Brest, Lille, and Nantes...
then it’s possible to take a taxi to get to destination. The best
thing about Modane train station? You get at least 3 direct TGV
from Paris every day.
Air:
Land at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, Chambéry,
Milan and Turin airports.
5/ New this winter
A new blue slope: Lory
This new piste with a length of 4.1km and a vertical drop of
450 metres is accessible from the top of the Thorens funitel.
In a beautiful valley at high altitude, it offers you a very easy
return route to Orelle.
Best price in the 3 Vallées As a celebration of Orelle’s 20th anniversary as a resort we are
giving a 20% reduction! At Orelle we like to spoil people and,
most importantly, to allow them to ski as cheaply as possible.
For example, with the purchase of the ‘Tribu’ 6 day 3 Valleys
pass (a ski pass at a special rate for small groups) in January
we offer accommodation from 274 euros per person.
If the ‘famille zen’ pass better suits your requirements, then we
can offer you accommodation rates from 260 euros per person
during the school holidays.
If you want to pamper yourself the ‘offer Duo’xygene’ with
unlimited access to the spa and two spa treatments as well as
accommodation costs from 417 euros.
All of these offers, and more, can be found at www.orelle.net.
This new internet site which can be accessed anywhere and on
all networks lets you follow Orelle live, on the Orelle App (a free
app for news in real time), YouTube ( a new webcam has been
installed at the top of the gondola), but also Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram etc. Thanks to the free wifi network throughout
Orelle and the three Valleys you won’t miss the latest updates. 600
LIFTS
(51 green, 133 blue,
106 red and 32 black)
169
322
2000m
the highest in the world, are
at your disposal in Orelle-Val
Thorens area.
2001 :
Completion of Peyron and Bouchet chairlifts
85%
TRACKS
km of runs
1 ZIP LINE
1800m
8
RESORTS
(11 green, 30 blue,
30 red and 9 black)
1988 :
Opening of Rosael chairlift: a ski lift on the Maurienne
side, accessible from Val Thorens.
Février 1996 :
Realization of an old project over twenty years with
the opening of the 3 Vallées express gondola. The link
between the valleys of Maurienne and Tarentaise
is effective.
above
LIFTS
32
80
PISTES
km of runs
above
99%
150
Main dates
Mars 2008 :
Creation of the Tourist Office
2008-2009 :
Construction of the residence le Hameau des Eaux
D’orelle: 1000 beds are added.
2010 :
Creation of the booking centre.
Hiver 2013-2014 :
Creation of the highest Zipline in the world.
PRESS CONTACT :
for the area of the 3 Vallées, the largest
ski area in the world, which can be
reached by cable car in
15 minutes.
Laura Pagès
Agence RevolutionR
Ligne directe: +33 1 47 10 08 35
Portable: +33 6 43 15 88 51
E-mail: [email protected]
www.revolutionr.com