Now boozy Brits drag chic French ski resort into gutter
IT was once the chic ski resort of choice for celebrities and royalty, including Princes William and Harry.
Now Val d’Isere is known as ‘Magaluf on ice’ – and locals are blaming an invasion of drunken Britons for the decline.
These pictures taken last week show revellers passed out in the snow and being coaxed and carried home by less-inebriated friends.
Posters promising ‘fit barmaids’ and a ‘free shot for anyone in fancy dress’ are dotted around the French village.
Disgruntled French skiers have written on interent forums suggesting that a ‘soundproofing wall’ should be erected around La Folie Douce – a slope-side bar which is the heart of the party scene.
Last week, a dancer paraded along dressed in a skimpy outfit just after lunch at 1.30pm, while her colleague shouted: ‘F*** the weather, we party every day!’
As hotelier Franois Maurel puts it: ‘Val d’Isere used to be really quiet but now it attracts a different class of people.’
Disgusted by Britons’ behaviour, he now advertises only twin and double rooms to dissuade groups of louts booking up the hotel he has run for 27 years.
Mr Maurel told a Sunday newspaper: ‘Young British people are very noisy and rowdy. They’re always drunk. They always seem to be in the middle of the road, fighting each other or the police.’
The Alpine resort has become popular with youngsters and weeklong packages can cost as little as £360.
Even after holidaymakers have hit the slopes, expenses remain low, with bottles of wine on offer for as little as £2 and beer at some bars starting at £1.50.
Coachloads of university students descended in December following
‘Chavs and teen mums’
promises of ‘wet and wild pool parties’. Students from Exeter’s snowsports society went to a party with the theme ‘Tigne-Age Dirtbags’ – named after neighbouring resort Tignes – where revellers were told to dress up as ‘chavs and teen mums’.
Recent holidaymakers at the resort have included reality TV star Gaz Beadle from Geordie Shore.
Posting on Twitter ten days ago, he wrote: ‘Last night in Val tonight safe to say me and @billyboybbm are getting smashed!!! Been an Amazing week!’
Earlier this month, Louis Tomlinson from One Direction graced the slopes. Hugh Grant has stayed there and TV chef Jamie Oliver is also said to be a fan.
But heavy alcohol consumption and freezing temperatures have resulted in tragedy for some visitors. Last year, Kieron Flux, 18, an apprentice plumber, was found dead after going missing during a pub crawl at 1.30am.
And in 2009, Rachel Ward, 20, a student at Durham University, died in the snow after deciding to leave a night out early.