The Boss des Bosses Wed 18 March 2009
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What is the Boss des Bosses?
It's a legendary inter-resort mogul bash, now in its 20th year. The Boss des Bosses is a bumps race fought between teams of resort workers from Zermatt, Val d'Isere, Chamonix, Meribel, Courchevel, Verbier and Engelberg.

The Boss started in 1990 as a challenge between the ski resorts of Chamonix and Val d’Isère over who had the best skiers. In the late 90s it grew into a week long event, the ChamJam, but this last took place in 2003, and has not been seen since.

The Boss des Bosses remains a highlight of the season for any season worker, with hundreds of resort staff gathering at the Grands Montets in Chamonix for the day, then partying into the night at the prize-giving at the Terrasse. This year, the course will be a little lower down the hill and will be a more organic run, as the slope will be closed for two days before and the bumps naturally created. The area looks great at the moment with a good base.

The Format
Two racers, head to head charge down a gruelling mogul field. Teams consisting of 9 skiers (7 male/2 female), 2 boarders (unisex) and 2 telemarkers (unisex). The competition is usually run as two groups of three with playoffs between 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each group to determine the overall placings.

The Holders
For the second year in a row, Zermatt snatched the title from Chamonix in the last race, after two wins in a row for the French resort. It's often a showdown between these two, but in 2002, Three Valley resorts Meribel and Courchevel tied for top spot. Could it be their year again?

You can check all previous results here.

Support Your Resort
With a massive street party, prize-giving and live music at La Terrasse, this is the social event of the season - so make sure you're there! This year the fun will continue with more events in the Rue des Moulins after prize-giving until the coaches leave.

On the mountain there will be a BBQ and live music. Supporters can either buy a pieton pass or special price ski pass. For overnight accom, check out the Le Vert Hotel or check this list of hostels.

Timings for the day (all approx)
11am ish onward: Competition on the hill - DJs, bars, bbq etc, plus test centre for Black Crows skis.
4.30pm: Regroup at the Marmatton bar restaurant at the base of the hill - Glen Plake will be on guitar with two bands performing live!
5.30pm - 6pm: Coaches leave for La Terrasse where there will be live bands on the terrace
7ish: Prize-giving
8 ish: A second band will be playing at La Terrasse to keep the party going. There will also be parties going on along the Rue du Moulin round the corner at Mix bar, Bardup, Soul Food etc.

Coaches from Meribel and Val d'Isere
The great news this year is that from Meribel and Val d'Isere, The Mountain Trading Company are subsidising the cost of the coaches, so cost is significantly reduced on previous years.

Tickets are available from Le Pub in Meribel and from The Moris in Val d'Isere for EUR15 per person. The price includes return travel to Chamonix, plus discounted booze prices at the Terrasse once you're there. Coaches leave around 0630 returning around midnight.

Coaches from Courchevel, Val Thorens & Zermatt
Unfortunately there are no MTC bars in these resorts, but coaches will still be travelling from each of them. For details of coaches and to book, please contact:

Courchevel 1850: Ski Supreme (04 79 08 27 87)
Val Thorens: Rick Greenwood (06 32 44 53 71)
Zermatt: The North Wall Bar (027 966 3412)

Please note that seats must be booked in advance and none can be guaranteed on the day. Pick-ups can be arranged from all stations.

Lift Passes

Pieton (pedestrian) - EUR12.00
Special ski pass - EUR20.00