A new lift pass covering all the skiing at three of France's largest ski regions has gone on sale at the eye watering price of €340 (£251) for a six day adult pass – nearly 50 Euros more than its nearest rival and previously 'most expensive', the Chamonix Regional pass.
The new 'Alpine Legends' pass covers a total of 1325km of piste comprising all the skiing of the 3 Vallées with 600 kilometres of runs, Paradiski (La Plagne and Les Arcs) with 425 kilometres of runs and Espace Killy (Tignes-Val d'Isère) with 300 kilometres of runs.
Some people living in the area have pointed out that they believed that formerly six day passes purchased at one of these areas were normally valid at the other anyway at no extra cost. A similar version of the pass, the Olympic Pass, which covered a claimed 1500km of piste, was also offered after the Albertville Winter Games.
Although believed to be the most expensive in the Euro-zone, the strength of the Swiss Franc means that the Zermatt-Aosta Valley 6 day pass pass at 463 Swiss Francs (£314) remains Europe's most expensive ticket overall, although it can be purchased for considerably less on the Italian side of the border.
The largest ski area coverage its possible to buy on one 6 day ticket is believed to still be Austria's Salzburg Super Ski Card in Austria which covers more than 2,500km of piste at more than 20 ski regions containing around 90 villages. It costs 238 Euros (£176) for an adult six day pass in low season, 256 Euros (£190) in peak season.
www.thealpinelegends.com