08/09 lift pass prices announced & no more Les Houches on the MBU....

You may remember from last year that it was mid-October before SEPP and LH-SG- the two companies that run the Les Houches ski area – managed to come to an agreement on their lift pass prices and revenue split, causing a big headache for the Compagnie du Mont Blanc and surrounding resorts who have partnership agreements with the area.

This year it seems the CdMB have put their foot down and taken the decision to exclude the area from their Unlimited pass. In a press release, Jean-Marc Farini, Head of Quality Control and Client Relations for the CdMB, stated that “An agreement for the division of income arising from ski passes has existed for more than 20 years between the two major operators of the les Houches area, SEPP and LHSG. Since the building of the new Prarion telecabin (by our subsidiary LH-SG) the division of income (based on actual costs and the performance of the equipment) has altered to become more favourable to LH-SG. This new division was not accepted by SEPP, who unilaterally terminated the sharing agreement on the 30 June 2007. It became clear last winter that despite a very considerable sum brought to Les Houches by our customers holding the MBU pass and despite the fact that LH-SG made most of the lift pass sales through its own ticket offices (the Prarion telecabine), our subsidiary was in deficit.”

He went on to clarify that “in view of this dispute and indeed the divergence of our views and those of SEPP, we will not be in a position to include the Les Houches ski area within the scope of Mont-Blanc Unlimited, whatever the type of pass or the length of its validity.”

However, fans of Les Houches need not despair; holders of the MBU lift ticket will still be able to use the Prarion gondola (run by LHSG) and the return pistes that the lift serves, not to mention unlimited access to Courmayeur in Italy and reduced rates on the Mont Blanc tunnel. There will also be additional cultural and leisure benefits offered to holders of the MBU pass, the finer details of which are still to be clarified.

Anyone planning on purchasing a long duration pass may spot that there has been a substantial jump in the price of annual passes from €850 to €956 for the “Le Pass” and €1320 to €1400 for the MBU - a bit disappointing, considering the MBU annual pass leapt in price by 10% last year as well! Although it does look like we might get unlimited and FREE access to Verbier* included in the seasonal and annual MBU this time in addition to the 3 day tickets for Haute Savoie resorts** as in previous years, which would be awesome! “Early Bird Offers” are now available for anyone wishing to purchase a seasonal or annual lift pass at a 35% discount, if bought before 23rd November 2008. Call by the cash desk at the Montenvers train or you will soon be able to purchase your pass on-line.

Please note: THIS OFFER ONLY APPLIES TO SEASON AND ANNUAL TICKETS at this time, we will notify you of early purchase deals for other duration lift passes as soon as the CdMB announces them. As before, we anticipate that the same deal will be available for residents and secondary residents lift passes as in previous years.

* Verbier agreement is still under discussion and an extra charge for the full 4-Valley pass would apply.
** Seasonal and annual Le Pass holders will also get 3 day tickets for Haute Savoie resorts.