| "Since the resort took up hosting international | | | | men's downhill, which calls for longer pistes with a |
| competitions again, the name of 'Serre Chevalier' | | | | longer vertical drop. In December 1990, Serre |
| travels around the ski world and we the resort has | | | | Chevalier hosted a European Cup women's downhill |
| come out of it's anonymous state. This is shown by | | | | and one year later a women's downhill and a super G |
| the regular visits of world-wide ski teams who come | | | | that were part of the World Cup circuit. |
| and do their pre-season training here", declares Fabien | | | | Important competitions followed one after another, |
| Astier, assistant marketing director of the resort. | | | | until the talented local boy won the downhill crystal |
| In the build-up to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, | | | | globe at the end of the winter of 1995. The Olympic |
| French, Swiss and Norwegian skiers warmed up their | | | | was then re-named the Luc Alphand to thank this |
| thigh muscles here. | | | | skier for competing under the Serre Chevalier flag. |
| "Since the early 1990's, the International Ski | | | | The legend of the piste grew and the resort hosted |
| Federation (FIS) knows it can count on Serre | | | | slalom World Cups, European Cups, French |
| Chevalier", continues Fabien Astier. He was one of | | | | Championships. Before each race, enough |
| the architects behind Serre Chevalier's return to the | | | | artificial snow needs to be made to ensure a smooth |
| competition scene. Serre Chevalier reared | | | | and hard surface for the skiers. Departures and |
| several ski champions, like Riquet, Brechu, Melquiond | | | | arrivals are made safe, gates are installed and |
| and Blanchard, and regularly hosted big competitions | | | | timekeepers, press people, security staff, etc. need |
| until the late 1970's. As interest declined in slalom | | | | to be in the right place at the right time. |
| gates during the 1980's, competitions were no longer | | | | "An international competition requires around 300 |
| held in Serre Chevalier. | | | | people, so to organise this kind of event takes a lot |
| "In the early 1990's, Briançon and Serre | | | | of technical know-how, organizational skills and one |
| Chevalier wanted to host commercial events that | | | | hundred percent efficiency. The FIS approvals are |
| would upgrade their status. The idea to once again | | | | renewed every five years", explains Patrick Gelato |
| become a big resort able to host World Cup seemed | | | | who is now the ski club director. Clearly, Serre |
| like a valid proposition to the local marketing force", | | | | Chevalier fulfills all these criteria, judging by the Luc |
| concludes Mr Astier, who at this time was the | | | | Alphand record. |
| Chantemerle ski school director. Along with the | | | | For the last fifteen years, this piste has seen the |
| directors of the ski club and a local committee, he | | | | organization of the British Army Championships over |
| was able to launch investments and get their piste | | | | a period of three weeks. |
| approved. These improvements included artificial | | | | It is also here that the junior World Championships |
| snow, new base work, enlarging the piste, installing | | | | have been held, as well as many FIS races. |
| security protection such as netting and padding, | | | | Each one of these events helps to boost low-season |
| putting in place underground timers (there is 60 km | | | | activity. They also contribute to spreading the Serre |
| of wiring under the slope) and creating a helicopter | | | | Chevalier name through broadcasting of the |
| pad. | | | | races. But, in the end, it is the average tourist that |
| The resort then gained the necessary approvals from | | | | really benefits from this permanent |
| the FIS to host any World Cup event apart from | | | | high-standard maintenance. |