Tour du Mont Blanc New Bellevue refuge planning problems delay opening

Originally built at the end of the 19^th Century the Hotel Bellevue was a popular with those seeking to conquer Mont Blanc, and as reported in the French press ‘frequented by the Victorian English or bourgeois bohemians in search of thrills’. A century later, Bellevue was no more than a ruin in a fantastic location.

The hotel is located above Les Houches at 1800 meters on the ridge linking the Bellevue telepherique with Col du Voza with a 360° view of the Chamonix Valley and the Val Montjoie & St Gervais. It is perfectly situated not only for those heading up or descending Mont Blanc but those looking for alternation accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc with its fantastic location.

Two brothers acquired the hotel some time ago, Olivier the former boss of lifts, and Yves, the hotelier of other establishments at altitude including the Hotel Prarion within the Les Houches Ski area. Their intention to reinstate this classic hotel providing accommodation and refreshments to mountaineers, Tour du Mont Blanc trekkers, day hikers and in winter linking in with the Les Houches ski area.

The renovation has been no easy task; demolition & re-building at 1800 meters the general logistics & cost of getting materials on & off site don’t bare thinking about. They had to make sure the building had the same volume, and the same outward appearance, this is a listed site so initial planning was fraught with restrictions and refusals… this is the Chamonix valley and nothing is normal or easy here! Despite this the Hotel Bellevue is reborn from the ashes, after 20 years a sleep.

A green approach meant hotel without heating! As well as maintaining its original look the brief was to build an exemplary hotel in terms of impact on the site and consumption of energy. The hotel "without heat" is based on a design concept with a very low power consumption, based on the use of passive heat of the sun (solar), geothermal (7 wells, 100 m deep have been constructed around the building), optimum insulation (triple-glazed windows, wall & roof insulation) and a ventilation system that regenerates the air "old" air. The buildings consumption will be reduced to 10% of similar size hotels in similar locations.

Due to open partially this winter and fully open summer 2011 planning problems have put pay to that. The brothers have failed to comply with the allowed building surface area (shon) and the permitted 586 m² has somehow been increased to 895 m² with out further permission. These problems will have to be resolved before they will be allowed to open & knowing the French system this could take some time.

Despite all of this the building is virtually complete and ready to go and with a bit of luck Mont Blanc Treks will be making use of this mountain refuge for our Tour du Mont Blanc treks in summer 2012. More info as it comes.

Mont Blanc Treks Flickr- Hotel Bellevue Autumn 2010

Hotel Bellevue location

Local press article November 2010- Planning problems

Local Press article November 2010-Eco Hotel

Mont Blanc Treks 2011

Alpine weather

As an International Mountain Leader and being responsible for guiding groups in the Alps during the summer and winter understanding weather is a critical factor of the job, whether it be from a client safety point of view or to just maximise enjoyment during the trek.

Situated in the centre of Europe the European Alps deflect large-scale weather systems resulting in rapidly changing weather patterns.

Typically in summer the weather warm and hot in the valleys and cooler high up, the build up of heat in the valleys during the day often creates cumulous cloud build up by late afternoon with the risk of thunderstorms. When in the mountains in summer the policy is to be up and out early and be at your destination by the time the weather breaks.

This typical pattern is caused by anabatic winds during the day: Anabatic winds are valley breezes caused by temperature build up pushing warm air up the valleys onto the mountains. These warm breezes are the cause of the cumulus cloud growth and potential thunderstorm risk.

In the evening the situation reverses and Katabatic winds take affect. Kanabatic winds are caused when cooler air sinks pushing down into the valleys creating a downward breeze.

In winter common high-pressure can be dominant, although the temperatures are cold, the air is cooler in the valleys due to lack of sun penetration within the steep sided valleys. As the cold moist air sinks cloud builds up resulting in cloud inversions (low cloud in valley bottom, blue skies high up).

The Foehn wind is a common factor in the Alps although it occurs throughout the year it has more detrimental affect in winter causing shifting of snow, increase in temperature creating unstable snow conditions. Low pressure pushes up the windward side of a mountain range, then warmed by compression as the system moves over the top of the range and finally dumped over the leeward slopes creating a strong warm wind that can last for a number of days. Temperature can increase by as much as 15 to 20 degrees.

Other notable weather signs are the Lenticular clouds, for example: ‘le chapeau de Mont Blanc’ or the ‘hat of Mont Blanc’. Unique to high mountains they are created by high altitude winds (although they look static in appearance) being forced over the obstacle. They can be a weather predictor indicating the onset of bad weather or the start of the foehn wind.

Mont Blanc Flora

Spring Gentian

After the winter that never really happend the way it should have we half expected a cold snap to take us away from the warm sense of security. However May is now upon us and the bench mark of the 10th May is fast approaching when the locals say it is safe to plant seeds and young plants without risk of frost in the valley. On the other hand on the mountain spring sprung a long time ago, the lack of snow meant that sunny slopes revealed green pastures and spring flora at least 4 weeks ahead of schedule. 


First to be seen was the Hepatica closely followed by Spring & Trumpet Gentian, Field Crocus, White Alpine Pasqueflower and Meadow Saffron.

White Alpine Pasqueflower

These early plants as with all alpine flora have adapted specifically to there habitat regardless of good or bad winters and early spring conditions. Stunted growth allows maximum use of any warmth in the ground and being close to the ground offers protection from harsh winds and low temperatures at night. Not only has the height adapted the structure of the plant has changed as well. Many alpine varieties have developed furry, spongy or hairy exteriors in order to hold solar heat and insulate from cold harsh conditions. Other plants have have become waxy and leathery to touch promoting water replacement as well as making the plant tough and durable. This adaptation is called Nanism. Alpine plants also have adapted large root systems in order to take maximum water and nutrients out of the soil as well as giving the plants a firm anchor. Alpine plants enjoy longevity with some species known to live upto 80 years. 

Trumpet Gentian

As the flowers in your garden change as the season progresses the alpine flora is constantly changing as well, what you will see in May will be different to that in July. For more information on alpine flora see the following link:

Alpine Flora: www.alpineflowers.net

www.montblanctreks.com

Alpine Pasqueflower

Tour du Mont Blanc Trek continued- 2nd stage

http://www.montblanctreks.com/tour-du-mont-blanc

Above the Refugio Elna

Continuing from last weeks post the second half of the Tour du Mont Blanc is often undertaken as a separate trek. Mont Blanc Treks offers an 8 day itinerary featuring the 5 day classic trek from Courmayeur to Chamonix. The route follows the 65kms 2nd stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc which takes you through Italy, Switzerland & France.

Swiss Val Ferret

After arrival & transfer from Geneva airport to the hotel in the Chamonix Valley day 2 commences with a private transfer to Courmayeur where we start our trek ascending to the Refuge Bertone 1989m we then traverse above the stunning Val Ferret before reaching or accommodation at the Refuge Bonatti 2025m. 

Day 3 sets out from Refuge Bonatti to the Co du Ferret 2537m with stunning views of the Italian side of the Grand Jorasses, Aiguille Leschaux and Mont Dolent. Crossing the boarder into Switzerland and descent to the beautiful Swiss Val ferret and La Fouly 1610m to the Hotel Edelweiss.

Day 4 brings a relatively easy day walking down the Val Ferret we make our ascent through the woods to the picture postcard village of Champex-Lac 1466m and our resting place for the evening.

Ferret, Swiss Val Ferret

Day 5 sets out from Champex Lac to Alpage Bovine 1987m above Martigny, Col du Forclaz 2191m and Trient 1279m as we reach accommodation for the night.

The final day of the tour takes us steeply up to the Col du Balme 2191m, crossing the boarder into France we end the day with a descent to the beautiful village of La Tour at the head of the Chamonix Valley before heading back to Chamonix.

Finally we have a free day to explore the Chamonix and take advantage of the many excursions on offer, perhaps the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3842m, Mer du Glace train journey or a day back through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to the Aosta Vally and a day at an Italian Spa at Pre St Didier.

View the Tour du Mont Blanc 2nd Stage Map

Mont Blanc Treks 2011