Valmeinier

Ski area information

The ski area shared by the resorts of Valmeinier and Valloire has a new name: "Galibier– Thabor". This refers to the area's 2 emblematic summits, which peak at more than 3,000 metres. The first ski lift was installed in 1973, in L'Armera, in order to join up with Valloire, which had already been operating for a few years. Gradually, the ski area expanded and it now features 150 km of slopes over 1,600 hectares. The snowpark, classified as 5th French snowpark and 15th European, is certified by the French Snowboard Association (AFS). It is tended daily by the resort's staff.

History

Settled in the 12th century, Valmeinier was practically self-sufficient with most of its inhabitants living off the land until the 17th century. At this time they discovered a high quality anthracite which they decided to mine, hence Valmeinier got its name ("Val des mines" translates as the valley of the mines). Between 1848 and 1924, bolstered by the industrialisation of the Maurienne Valley, agriculture and mining developed as the two main economic activities. Cereals (corn, wheat and rye) were grown up to 1,500 metres. During the winter season, some farmers worked as chimney-sweeps, operating in pairs, mainly in the Paris area and in Brittany. The end of the 1960s saw the end of traditional farming and also a massive exodus from the valley, by the end of the 1970s there were fewer than 80 permanent inhabitants in Valmeinier.

March 2009 Avalanche

Four people were killed in an avalanche on 11 March 2009. As many as eight skiers were caught in the snowslide. They were reported to be a group of students, accompanied by a guide.

References

References

1. (9 August 2021). "Répertoire national des élus: les maires".
2. "Avalanche : le témoignage d'un miraculé".