press release - summer 2015 - compagnie du mont …...6 336 5 905 + 7.33 % self‐financing capacity...

SUMMARY

COMPAGNIE DU MONT‐BLANC

Who are we ? Page 5

Some figures Page 6 ‐ 7

Update on investments Page 8

Summer Events Page 33

Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc Fondation Page 9

AIGUILLE DU MIDI

Panoramic Mont‐Blanc : France >Italie 8

The Vertical Café & Shop Page 23

60 years old already… Page 17

A new lift to access to Pas dans le Vide Page 27

Coming soon… The ‘tube’ Page 30

MONTENVERS‐MER DE GLACE

A Glaciologist explains all ! Page 15

Nature Temple : Explore the Past… Page 17

The Grand Hôtel du Montenvers Page 23

Prestige Trains Page 25

Montenvers by night page 25

Behind the Scenes Page 26

NEW

NEW

NEW

TRAMWAY DU MONT‐BLANC

Sunset Trains Page 11

GRANDS MONTETS

Unique snowpark in France Page 11

Glacier protective Sheet Page 15

BREVENT – FLEGERE

The botanical Garden Page 14

Coming soon…A beginners’ Area at altitude 1

BALME

VTT ! A beautiful Playground Page 19

LES HOUCHES

VTT : Something for everyone ! Page 19

NOS PRODUITS

MONT‐BLANC MultiPass: Practical and economical Page 12 ‐21

CHAMONIX RapidCard : For frequent visitors Page 21

Paragliding and MTB Passes Page 21

Single tickets available on all our site. Check it out on compagniedumontblanc.com

NEW

NEW


Who are we?

Created in 2000 with the merger of the three main ski lifts operators in the Chamonix Valley, the home of mountaineering and winter sports, the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc is now one of the leaders in France in its industry.The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc Group operates its ski lifts, cable cars and railways through public service delegations, the ski areas and the tourist sites located around the Mont Blanc, in the communes of Chamonix, Les Houches, St Gervais and Vallorcine.

Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc SA manages three major high altitude ski areas (Les Grands Montets, Brévent‐Flégère and Balme) and three major summer tourist attractions (Aiguille du Midi, MontenversTrain ‐Mer de Glace and the Tramway du Mont‐Blanc). This activity represents 1.2 to 1.4 million skier days in the winter and 0.9 to 1 million visitors in the summer, or a total of about 2.2 million visits per year.Its subsidiary, SARL Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc Restaurants, operates the main restaurants and souvenir shops located on the ski areas and tourist sites. Either directly managing them like at the Grand Hotel du Montenvers (on the site of the same name) or the Vertical Cafe at the departure point of the Aiguille du Midi, or by entrusting them to lease‐managers.

The SA des Remontées Mécaniques Les Houches / Saint‐Gervais (LH‐SG), which operates the Les Houches / Saint Gervais ski area is also a subsidiary of the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc SA and has a 72.5% market share since 1st of December 2011.Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc SA is also present in the Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie (CMBF), which operates the Courmayeur lifts in the Aosta Valley (Italy).Finally, the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc SA is the majority shareholder of the Société Agro‐touristique Trient‐Finhaut, a Swiss agro‐tourism company that holds the concession of the Swiss side of the Balme ski area and at present has no operating activity..

(Source annual report of the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc ‐downloadable from the website ‐ Investors pages)

The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc group is positioned on the established and competitive market of mountain tourism. Indeed, the winter sports market since the late 90s has seen a relative stagnation in the number of skier days (about 400 million days per season). France is number 2 worldwide in ski destinations with a 14.5% market share in number of skier days.The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc is the number one ski lift operator in France in terms of revenue. (Source: Mountain Leaders Magazine Top 100 of October 2014).The company represents 5.7% of the French lifts market with a total revenue estimated 1.3 billion euros.The total turnover before tax for the winter ski lifts of the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc is up + 4.5% compared to the previous year.Attendance during winter 2013‐2014 increased by + 2.5% with 1,358,050 skier days compared to 1,324,748 skier days sold during the previous winter.The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc lift company is a major economic power and a driving force behind the development of Chamonix as a destination and the main private employer in the Valley, with an average annual 462 full‐time employees

2013/2014 in K€ 2012/2013 in K€ % Change

Turnover 71 480 68 440 + 4.44 %

Operational Budget

Gross surplus

23 387 21 830 + 7.13 %

Operational Result 10 894 10 109 + 7.77 %

Group Share Net

Result

6 336 5 905 + 7.33 %

Self‐financing Capacity 19 175 17 940 + 6.88 %

IncomeStatementoftheCMBGroup31/5/2014

DistributionofRevenueEx‐VAToftheCMB31/05/2014

Lifts S/Total Restaurants Total

In K€ Winter Summer Misc.

Total 2013/2014 42 927 22 572 2 791 62 290 3 190 71 480

Total 2012/2013 41 917 20 811 2 778 65 506 2 934 68 440

Total 2011/2012 40 067 20 983 2 713 63 763 2 862 66 625

Shareholding31/05/2014Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) 37.49 %

SAEM Chamonix Development 18.03 %Family Jerome Seydoux 18.03 %(Sir and Madam SEYDOUX, Française de communication and SOJER)

CMB Employees 1.33 %Other 25.12 %

2013/2014 2012/2013

Headcount average total 468 464

Headcount average permanent staff 253 261

Headcount average seasonnaire staff 215 203

HeadcountoftheCMBGroup31/5/2014(CMB + CMB Restaurants + LHSG/Les Houches)

Update on Investments

The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc is committed to the ongoing investment policy which spans the next 40 years as planned:

Plans for the Aiguille du Midi, like the ‘Pas dans le Vide ‐ Step into the Void’ and the duplex lift have already seen the light of day and the new ‘Pipe’ walkway is currently underway, and due for opening in 2016.

This winter saw the opening of the new Plan Joran gondola, which saw the long queues disappear into distant memories.

The new Brevent beginners' area will be in place for next winter.

The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc Foundation: First project backed!

The Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc Foundation has decided to give support to their first project, the "Passing through the Mountains Association”.A key objective of this association is to make the mountain accessible in its physical and symbolic form, to people who do not yet know it and whose living conditions make a natural meeting unlikely.Three areas for this project:The discovery of the trades of the mountain and especially those of the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc via organised site visits and meetings with employees.An educational project that should involve a dozen young students over several months, following ongoing works supervised by trained educators.The financial support to carry out the actions mentioned above.Recall that new project applications are possible throughout the year and available online through the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc website.


Families welcome!

Families welcome!

Grands Montets: Unique Snow Park in France!

Located at at 3300 m at the top of Grands Montets, this area is maintained by our team all summer and enables you to walk and play on the snow even in mid August. An amazing experience and discovery for the kids ...

Tramway du Mont‐Blanc: Sunset Trains

Embark on the last train to ascend up to the Nid d’Aigle refuge where you can spend the night. Discover the mountain at dusk ... see ibex, experience a different pace and as temperature cools and darkness falls, it's time to enjoy dinner. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, enjoy a short hike to discover the glacier and the nature awakening around you before descending serene but revitalised in the valley!A great adventure for all the family!

***From June 13th to September 27th 2015€ 72 / adult and € 52 / youth ‐ all inclusive

FAMILY DEAL!

MONT‐BLANC MultiPass

The quintessential family pass to discover all the sites in the Mont Blanc valley (with the exception of the gondola to Italy), unlimited and at your pace. The "Plus" for the family: free passes for 3rd and subsequent children (within a limit of 4 freebies). No need to hold back, enjoy yourself!


Environment

Flégère: The Botanical Garden

The alpine flora is priceless. It has been widely used for centuries in medicine and cosmetics. Discover some of the emblematic species of our mountains in their natural environment and learn about their virtues on discovery trails in this mountain botanical garden.

Environment ...Grands Montets :Glacier Protective Sheet

This is the 5th year that a tarpaulin cover will be installed on the Argentiere Rimaye glacier, designed to prevent excessive melting during the summer months.

This effective solution saves valuable metres of snow and prevents excessive work upgrading at the start of winter season!

Please note although it looks possible to walk on, it is not advised or permitted.

Montenvers‐Mer de Glace: A Glaciologist explains all !

Glaciers are melting, glaciers are advancing, glaciers are retreating ... you can hear everything and anything on this phenomena.

To know the truth and see firsthand climate change, call in to see our glaciologists who are present all summer long at the Mer de Glace site! They will answer all your questions!


Heritage

Heritage

Aiguille du Midi: 60 years old already!

It was in 1955 that work finished on the Aiguille du Midi cable car on the spot we know today. In 60 years this heritage has continued to attract thousands and even millions of visitors. The latest investments on this site make this the go‐to Mont Blanc tourist site. More than a panorama, it is the place to visit to understand the high mountains, its challenges, risks and advantages!

Montenvers‐Mer de Glace: Nature Temple, explore the past ...

Plunge into the past and participate in a conversation between Pastor and Chateaubriand, Agutte and Forbes at the Nature Temple, a small building built in 1798. Thanks to a rear projection on glass, experience an "optical theatre" and hear these characters talk about their love for this place as if you were there ...


Sports

Sports ‐MTBThere are now two dedicated areas for MTB: the Le Tour/Balme area at the end of the valley towards the

Swiss border, and Les Houches at the valley entrance.Numerous trails of all levels have been constructed to offer something for all enthusiasts of this booming

sport, and the lifts are adapted to take MTBs for those who prefer just downhill riding.

New at

LE TOUR/BALME

• A green track from the top of the Charamillon bubble‐car

• A ‘beginners’ practise area in front of the Charamillonrestaurant

• A filmed zone (red track) so that you can admire your efforts!

LES HOUCHES ‐ ST GERVAIS: Something for everyone!

• From the top of the Prarion cable‐car test the downhill run and choose your level among the various routes on offer: tree runs, fields, technical trails, North Shore, ridge‐runs, rollers, berms… something for every MTB fan!

To enjoy this sport, have a look at our MTB pass Details on page 20


The best deals and offers…

The best deals and offers...

This pass, for ‘frequent visitors’ is an annual subscription which ensures you benefit from fantastic rates all year round, as well as flash offers and regular promotions every month.

Example:

Aiguille du Midi round‐trip ticket normally 57€, but 31.50€ when using a day with CHAMONIX RapidCard

This ‘Discovery’ pass gives you unlimited access to all the Compagnie du Mont‐Blanc areas, at a reduced rate, and with just one ticket required for your whole stay.

Family Offer: Pay for just one child! The others go free (limited to 4 free children)

Paragliding and MTB passesIf you love either of these sports then there is a pass just for you, so that you can enjoy your passion a reasonable price.29.30€ per day for unlimited access to the lifts at relevant areas or take‐off points!


Restaurants and Accomodation

Restaurants & Accommodation

Aiguille du Midi:

The Vertical Café & Shop

Take a moment to enjoy the friendly atmosphere at the bottom of the Aiguille du Midi cable‐car, with a little refreshment before or after your trip. The large, shaded terrace is the perfect spot to watch the cabins swooping upwards towards the summit. You can also do a little souvenir shopping, choosing from the various carefully‐selected products on offer to take a small piece of this spectacular experience home with you...

Grand Hôtel du Montenvers

Since 1880 this majestic building has welcomed countless well‐known personalities, who come to be inspired by the beautiful surroundings. Enjoy this magical part of the valley with lunch in the superb dining hall, or on the terrace opposite the famous view of Les Drus.

You can also, only in July/August, spend a night in this unique location and perhaps even, come nightfall, cross paths in the corridors with silhouetted figures from times gone by… Who knows?!

Please note: advance reservations required via

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.co.uk/


New this summer

New this summerMONTENVERS – MER DE GLACE

‘Prestige’ trains

Board a train from yesteryear, dating back to 1908, for an historic visit to Montenvers‐Mer de Glace. Explore the area at your own pace, and enjoy lunch on the terrace at Hotel du Montenvers, opposite Les Drus!

Train departs at 11am, every weekend from 18th July to 6th September

53€ adults, 33€ children

Montenvers by night

Discover Montenvers at nightfall, by taking the vintage train from Chamonix town, listening to a dawn serenade played by Alpine horns, visiting the ice‐caves in the dark with a glacier expert, and finishing the evening with a giant tartiflette under the stars…

Train leaves Chamonix at 7pm, and returns around 10.30pm

22nd July and 19th August


New this summerMONTENVERS – MER DE GLACE

Behind the scenes...

What is the history of this mythical location? How does the mountain train work? When was steam given up in favour of electricity? etc…

Answers to all of your questions when chatting with our team and visiting our workshops!

Meet at 10am at the Montenvers station in Chamonix, every Wednesday from 15th July to 19th August


New this summerAIGUILLE DU MIDI

A new lift to access‘Pas dans le Vide’

A duplex lift replaces the old lift to access the highest viewing platform at the Aiguille du Midi. Complex engineering works, in testing conditions, have been ongoing throughout the winter and will continue until the beginning of summer to allow a more secure and comfortable ascent to the many tourists wishing to experience the famous ‘Pas dans le Vide’ (Step into the Void) at 3842 metres!

Opening scheduled for

the 8th of August

Again this summer… AIGUILLE DU MIDI

Panoramic Mont‐Blanc: Cross over to Italy!

The Panoramic Mont‐Blanc is the cable‐car which travels from the Aiguille du Midi, crosses the Mer de Glace and arrives at Helbronner in Italy. This journey above crevasses, seracs and roped‐up mountaineers who are traversing on foot, and all the while surrounded by stunning landscapes, will take your breath away. It is now also possible to descend on the Italian side this summer, or turn around and come back to the Aiguille du Midi in the cable car… to enjoy the unparalleled views for a second time!


Projects

Projects

AIGUILLE DU MIDI : “The Tube”

“The Tube”, “The Pipe”... or whatever it ends up being called ‐ this construction perched on the side of the mountain, which will link the Mont‐Blanc zone to the Rebuffat platform, is a genuine work of art and certainly the first of its kind at altitude.

Works began last year, and should be completed for summer 2016 ‐ watch this space...

Projects

BREVENT : A beginners’ area at altitude

From next winter, beginners will also be able to ski at altitude, enjoying the sun and spectacular views over the entire Mont‐Blanc range afforded by the Brevent ski area, and more specifically from Plan Praz. A dedicated area for beginners will be set up, with easy access

and safety in mind.


Summer Events

Summer Events• 11th June ‐ Arc’Teryx Academy, Aiguille du Midi

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/arcteryx‐alpine‐academy‐7737

• 27th & 28th June ‐ Pandathlon, Tramway du Mont‐Blanc

www.pandathlon.fr

• 4th July ‐ Les Foulées du Sel (The Salt‐Sack Challenge), Les Grands Montets

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/foulees‐sel‐9327

• 19th July ‐Montée au Nid d’Aigle, Tramway du Mont‐Blanc

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/montee‐du‐nid‐daigle‐9335

• 28th July ‐ 2nd August ‐ Cosmojazz festival, various locations

http://www.compagniedumontblanc.fr/cosmojazz‐festival‐2015‐9338

• 24th ‐ 30th August ‐ UTMB, Chamonix

www.ultratrailmb.com

More information at: http://www.compagniedumontblanc.co.uk/

Press Contact:Fabienne MARTINEZCOMPAGNIE DU MONT‐BLANC35, Place de la Mer de Glace74400 CHAMONIX04 50 53 22 7506 12 68 18 [email protected]

press release - summer 2015 - compagnie du mont …...6 336 5 905 + 7.33 % self‐financing capacity...

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