In front of Valmo'Branch park, a fir tree lying on the ground blocks our entrance. “These are uprooted trees, cut trees”describes Manon Dunand, the co-owner. “Large trees that were healthy. It’s chaos, and we can’t even get into this forest where we could see even more damage”she explains, disappointed. Valmo'Branch is 180 workshops, five courses, only two of which withstood the passage of the Caetano storm during the night of Thursday to Friday November 22. Her husband, Mathieu, did not want to return to the scene, too affected by the situation. “It’s his baby, his first investment. Our life was built around this treetop adventure. We came to live in Valmorel for this activity. And in two hours, everything was gone.”blurted Manon.
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Philippe Peyre
“The treetop adventure is over…”
Several days later, it is still time to assess the damage. “What is certain is that if it is rebuilt, it will not be as substantial and as big as it was”assures Manon. “It’s awful”coward Hélène, a resident of Valmorel who is having a hard time coping. “I live here all year round! All my grandchildren went tree climbing every summer, it's never going to start again. Tree climbing is over”she regrets.
After the shock, place for unloading. “We must remove all the broken trees, cut down those which risk falling. And above all, there are some which have fallen into the streams so we must avoid ice jams and avoid overflowing in the event of rain”explains Frédéric Varraz, the station’s director of technical services. Two companies are mobilized for this operation which will last several days.
Mountain restaurant forced to close for the entire season
Further up, the restaurant Les Voiles du Nant, located at 2,000 meters, at the top of the Planchamp cable carwas also very touched. Its terrace and roof were torn off. After the visit of the insurance expert this Monday, November 25, its owner told us thatit will not reopen in Februaryas he had once hoped. “The expert judged that there was too much work to open in mid-February and above all that we were not sure of the safety of customers”explains Denis Murat, the owner.
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“It was a mini tornado that passed through the restaurant. It took off a section of the roof and tore off 80% of the terrace, and the remaining 20% cannot be used. We have to tear them off.” This owner and manager is in shock. “I’ve never seen that in fourteen years.”he blurted out, very moved.
