The new millennium
In Villars, the new millennium is celebrated with superb fireworks. With the arrival of EasyJet in Geneva and a strong pound sterling, the number of English visitors doubles. The introduction of the euro is making Switzerland a much more attractive tourist destination, and contributing to a tremendous real estate boom. Winter tourism is seeing an increase in interest in “nature” sports, particularly snowshoeing, while the “Free-Access” card is leading to a resurgence in summer tourism.
Global warming is on everyone’s lips, but the tireless work of the ski lifts and the still limited use of snow cannons make up for the sometimes capricious snow conditions. The ski area continues its rejuvenation program with the renovation of the Glacier 3000 facilities, the new Rasse-Chaux Ronde chairlift and the inauguration of the new Roc d’Orsay gondola lift in December 2006.
The widespread use of carving skis is revitalizing the ski world. Skiers rub shoulders with snowboarders in the “Snow-Parks”, and the development of “Freeride” skis makes the joys of off-piste skiing accessible to all.
For the Swiss Ski School Villars, the major challenge lies in constantly adapting to the new customs and habits of the resort’s clientele. While the average length of stay has dropped to four days, more and more people are signing up for a full day course. The unbridled development of new communication technologies is introducing the Swiss Ski School to the digital world. In 2001, the Swiss Ski School records its first Internet bookings. This is only the first step, as in winter 2008, the Swiss Ski School is preparing to inaugurate a booking and management system that is unique in Europe.
At the turn of the century, the Swiss Ski School is subject to a major change when it takes over Club Méditerranée’s skiing lessons. Twenty to forty instructors supervise ski, snowboard, and snowshoe groups throughout the season.
Kids’s skiing lessons are booming. The Swiss Ski School invests in various inflatable structures for its snow gardens. During the school terms, the “Junior Ski” welcomes up to 150 children for the day, and morning group lessons bring together up to 600 young students. The nursery is completely renovated and, collaborating with the Ski Lifts, the Swiss Ski School installs conveyor belts in its snow gardens.
Structurally, the Swiss Ski School Villars continues to develop. During the season, five secretaries and a kindergarten teacher are employed, while two activity leaders look after two “Snow Gardens” and a “Magic Park” for the older children. Marc-Henri Duc appoints Pascal Brunner, who is already in charge of Ski at Club Méditerranée, as deputy manager.
He delegates all ski instructor training to Annick Bonzon, appointed Technical Manager in 2000. Andréas Geissberger is in charge of snowboard training. The Swiss Ski School soon becomes one of Switzerland’s leading training schools. The quality of its training is recognized throughout the country.
In recent years, the Swiss Ski School Villars has established itself as one of the top three ski schools in the country. An estimated 25,000 people use the services of its 300 instructors every winter.
In 2003, the Swiss Ski School Villars won the title of Swiss Ski School Champion for the second time, and Jörg Roten distinguished himself at the World Ski Teacher Championships.
