Mountain Restaurant Le Patafan

While Le Patafan opened a few years ago, it wasn’t until Feb 2023 we made it inside. Drinks only but we definately want to come back to eat. The menu wasn’t large and certainly wasn’t traditional but there was something for everyone.

The reason we’d not been in yet is it’s a little out of the way. But this is to its benefit – it wasn’t crowded. You can find it as you ski down the popular Borlat blue piste from the top of the Plau de Four lift into what we call “The Bowl,” the collection of pistes in the Esapce Diamant served by the Grattary and Douce pair of lifts that – as part of Les Saisses zone need the full lift pass. You need to pick up some speed just as your turn right and away from the Bellasta area and into The Bowl, as the entrance along the edge of the frozen lake flattens out. But it’s worth the effort, with a great menu and an amazing view.

Inside feels more modern and café than most mountain restaurants. The menu is equally so. When we were there, it included a burger, a mediteranian tapas plate (with houmous) and a soup with lots of extras. But it was too early so we settled for a great coffee before heading on our way, with a back route down to Bellasta (you can also ski back into The Bowl). Welcome was friendly. We will definately be back to eat.

Chez Sachi – Sushi in Praz-sur-Arly

Fast on the heals of an Indian takeaway (well Sri Lankan to be accurate) is Praz-sur-Arly’s very own authentic, Japanese-owned Sushi takeaway. 

You can find it on the Campsite on Route des Thouvassieres- just 10 mins walk away. Heading into the village you take the right just before crossing the river and follow the road around, heading to the new lake.

We’ve not tried it yet but looks amazing. And it turns out the chef is the source of the great looking sushi that has appeared in the Intermarchet supermarket in the last couple of years. 

https://www.watasu-megeve.com/ 

 

2023 Snow is Back on Track! 🎉❄❄❄

Ski lift in Espace Diamate 21st Jan 2023

The year didn’t start well at all, as anyone who will have a watched the news around Christmas 2022 will know. The slopes were bare! Not quite that bad. We were there for Christmas and New Year and managed to ski – but it took a short drive to get to the snow. So, no ski in ski out, unfortunately. And no White Christmas in Praz town 😥

But roll it forward a couple of weeks, and a large dump and massive drop in temperatures, brought skiing back. Our friend Martin and crew held their nerve for a mid Jan trip and were rewarded with amazing conditions (see above) with most slopes open, including the local ski home.

With more snow coming in the first week in Feb and temperatures expected to stay low, even with lots of Sun, it looks very promising for the rest of Season. 

Controversy over plans to develop Praz ski front

Locals have started a petition to try and block plans by the Mayor’s office to develop the area around the base of the Cret du Midi ski lift.

The plans – known as ZAC des Varins – would see the addition of new rentable accommodation – including a possible hotel – restaurants; shops, new ticket offices, halls for municipal events, gardens and other facilities for summer activities and so on.

They would occupy the area around the lift, including where the current ski school buildings are, snow-plough garage, the car park and – sadly – where K-bane is (perhaps the reason we heard 21/22 is their last season 😥) 

Car parking space would be relocated further from the slopes and the Piou Piou nursery ski school moved close to the “baby” slopes. 

The drive for the development seems to be primarily to boost tourism by increasing the availability of accommodation that can be rented. Most accommodation in the town is privately owned and occupation during the season is very low compared to other resorts in the area. Most of the original hotels in the town have been redeveloped into private accommodation in the last decade.

The thrust of the argument against the development is that it has not taken the needs of locals – and families – into account and that it will change the nature of the area, being inappropriate for a town of this size. However, other towns of similar size in the Espace Diamant- such as Notre Dames de Bellecombe – already have well-developed areas at the base of their main pistes and this has always been a strange omission for Praz-sur-Arly. 

The proposal was first raised by the Mayor in 2018 and a public enquiry, gathering opinion, closed this month. It’s not yet clear when works might begin.