I took my wing to Courchevel on the
off-chance that I might get a flight
in on my skiing holiday and well worth it.
First port of call is the 'Office de Remonte Mechanique' at Courchevel
1850, under the main lifts building. A BHPA membership to show you have
third-party insurance (or a letter in my case, since I could not find
the my card) plus a passport photo gets you the appropriate permit to
carry your glider on their lifts. Free of charge (the permits, not the
lift pass).
The only TO working on the day was at the top of Col de Loze - there is
a Frence tandem outfit operating out of a shed, with posters and banners
etc., just by the restuarant. I was warned that they may be unfriendly,
but I approached one of their salesgirls and she was able to tell me all
about the TO and LZ. The public TO is just 100 yards beyond the schools
TO's, walking between their shed and the resturant.
I was well-assisted by a friendly local pilot, who talked me through
everything for 20 minutes, helped me lay out, advised me on launch. A
momentary hesitation on the edge of the drop-off brought my wing down
and sent me sliding down a rocky slope for a few yards, cheered by
people on the chairlift. Twenty minutes later, back at launch, a
straight-forward take off sent me over the Morzine valley, with 20
minutes spent thermalling above a forest.
A word of caution - advice that the landing zone is "over the ridge and
straight ahead" can be confusing at height, when you can see a dozen
towns scattered around. My first flight ended after 40 minutes with, I
suspect, an illegal landing in La Tania - one town I recognised as I was
staying there. 150 foot pine trees, a nursery slope and some drag-lifts
added to the excitement of what I have heard refered to a "extreme
manouvers close to the ground". I landed sliding though a pool of mud,
taking out a cafe table with my wing (sorry pub l'Arbett). Exit stage
left, thinking of horses and getting straight back on...
Two further flights to La Praz (aka Courchevel 1300 - cross ridge to
your right, keep going for a couple of km, and its the big town with
the ski-jump) gave me another 40 minutes or so, just reminding myself
what it was all about, and admiring the scenery. The landing is next to
the ski-jump, with a dozen huge flag poles acting as an excellent wind
indicator, ensuring perfect landings. Then hop on the bubble, and off
you go again...
Motto: Don't leave home without it.
Rob |
