Compagnie du Mont-Blanc runs 47 lifts in Chamonix, as well as two mountain trains, making it a major local player for winter sports in the Chamonix valley.

The firm's chief executive officer, Mathieu Dechavanne, signed the partnership agreement with Christian Monteil, chairman of the Annecy 2018 supervisory board and President of the Haute-Savoie General Council and Jean-Luc Rigaut, Mayor of Annecy and co-chairman of Annecy 2018.

With a world-famous ski complex attracting millions of French and foreign tourists each year, Compagnie du Mont-Blanc will run a high-visibility campaign to promote the bid.

The company will also be involved in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission's visit to Chamonix in February.

"It's a huge asset for the bid, to have Compagnie du Mont-Blanc as one its sponsors, operating across three major ski areas in Chamonix and three famous excursion sites in the Chamonix valley," said Monteil.

"We are thrilled to welcome to the marketing programme a business which is local to the Chamonix area, operating within the Annecy 2018 playing field."

Dechavanne added: "We are very excited at becoming a local supporter.

"With 182 kilometres of pistes, the majority of our ski complex is at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres, providing excellent snow quality and guaranteeing exceptional conditions for athletes as well as the general public.

"We are particularly proud to be working hand in hand with an Olympic bid which puts sustainable development at the top of its priorities.

"Compagnie du Mont-Blanc is fully committed to environmental protection, as illustrated by the company's ISO14001 environmental certification awarded in December 2008."


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