The ’90s
In the skiing world, the arrival of the first shaped skis significantly changes the technical landscape.
In 1992, Annick Bonzon takes part in the Albertville Olympic Games, while Céline Daetwyler secures her second world junior title in Maribor.
The 90s witness the continued success of snowboarding. On the ski slopes, snowboarding has gone from being an unpopular guest to an essential snow sport in just 20 years.
With the development of airlines and the proliferation of charter flights, ski resorts are increasingly competing with seaside destinations. In Villars, an increasing number of people are acquiring a second home. Many international guests arrive at the resort, with a notable increase in English, Dutch, and Italian clientele.
Concerning the ski slopes, the connections with Gryon and Les Diablerets are improved with the replacement of the Gryonne drag lift, the construction of the chairlift “Sodoleuvre-La Croix des Chaux,” and that of “Conche-Perche.” The Lac Noir and Grand Chamossaire chairlifts are also being replaced by two latest-generation installations.
Michel Martin takes over the management of the Swiss Ski School Villars in 1989. At his arrival, Michel is confronted with one of the least snowy seasons of the century: at Christmas, only the Roc d’Orsay ski lift was in operation.
It was at this time that Michel Martin created the Pre-OJs to compensate for the closure of “Mlle Georgette’s nest”. Marc-Henri Duc later launches “junior skiing”, and both Bretaye and Villars set up enclosed, secure “snow gardens” dedicated to teaching the art of skiing.
