News
June 27, 2024
RECCO is the official safety partner of Les 3 Vallées, the world's largest ski area that contains seven resorts: Courchevel, Méribel, Brides-les-Bains, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle. The partnership aims to educate outdoor enthusiasts about mountain safety for year-round adventures.
Although Les 3 Vallées is well-known for its incredible skiing and winter activities, the opportunity for exploration in every season is limitless. During summer, Les 3 Vallées offers a variety of summer outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, e-biking, and trail running with a vast trail network and stunning high alpine views in every direction. RECCO technology can be found in an extensive roster of summer gear, and search and rescue partners equipped with RECCO technology serve Les 3 Vallées area year-round, making it a natural partnership.
“Les 3 Vallées is a year-round heaven for mountain and sports enthusiasts seeking adventure and breathtaking scenery. Whether freeriding from the peaks of Val Thorens, mountain biking in Courchevel, or trekking hut-to-hut in our 3 valleys, the safety of our visitors is our top priority. Through this new partnership with RECCO, we can ensure the highest level of safety for all 3 Vallées visitors,” says Quentin Reinhart, Head of Media and Communication.
The RECCO system is a two-part system, featuring an active detector, carried by the rescuer, and a passive reflector, carried by the user. Rescue teams in France have been working with handheld detectors to search for buried avalanche victims for many years.
It can quickly search large areas, covering a square kilometer in six minutes. Along with reducing search times for missing people, the helicopter-based detector reduces rescuers’ exposure to risk during the missions.
Currently, there are 36 RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors globally, with 24 units deployed across Europe and 12 located in North America. Three units are currently operational in France, located in Morzine, operated by Blugeon helicopters; Alpe d’Huez, operated by the SAF; and in Ger, operated by the SAF as well.
RECCO rescue reflectors are commonly found in outdoor clothing and equipment, such as bike helmets, hiking pants and climbing harnesses. Other applications include backpacks, jackets, pants and ski boots.
“We are really excited to launch this safety partnership together with Les 3 Vallées. Safety information and prevention is something we can all benefit from, no matter the activity or season. Collaborating with an organization such as Les 3 Vallées will help us enormously to spread the message of being searchable and save more lives,” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO.
The partnership will include on-site safety workshops and safety information for the media and the public. RECCO and Les 3 Vallées aim to educate consumers about how to be safer and better equipped while exploring the beauty of the Les 3 Vallées playground all year-round.
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com
