Val Thorens Snow Report : 14th February 2013

Having missed out last year, some returning guests had requested a four valleys in one day challenge. Most people dropped out on the morning worrying about their ability and the final group consisted of mainly very eager kids and one brave dad!

We have a fancy dress box in the Chalet so I ended up heading up to the slopes with a banana, cow and a penguin! Which made for great amusement all day. Although I think they were a bit sick of people pointing out that they were dressed as banane, vache and penguine.

The first lift was in total cloud and conditions were not looking great. We headed up from St Martin over the back down the Alouette run to the Cote Brun lift heading up towards Val Thorens. One of the slowest and coldest lifts of the day but once at the top we broke through the cloud – amazing.

The group were pretty speedy and ended up having to wait for me most of the time so we made good time. We ventured from Val Thorens up Cime Caron to again see the most amazing views above the cloud. We then took the black run down into Orelle and had the run all to ourselves with the most amazing powder. Orelle is one of my favorite areas in the Three Valleys as most people do not bother to venture over there. The runs are always quiet and the snow is unbelievable. Other than when there is wind over there it is a great area to spend the whole day. As we were watching the clock we did not on this occasion get to head up the Orelle lifts (to some of the longest red runs) and instead went back towards Val Thorens.

With stomachs rumbling we dropped into Meribel Mottaret, up Pas du Lac and had a quick stop for lunch. I hit a slight glitch when I got stuck in an elevator in the restaurant for 20mins but then we soon got moving again!

To finish the four valleys challenge we dropped down into Courchevel 1850 with a quick trip through the park for the cow, penguin and banana. With tired legs and lots of falls we started to make our way back. Heading up the Saulire cable car, then dropping down into Meribel, up the Tougnette lift and then back to some sunshine in St Martin – four valleys, done!

It was absolutely fantastic. The pistes were largely clear and the snow absolutely amazing. There are some great powder sections off to the side of the piste which our guests enjoyed playing around in.

Our guests have got up today to a few aches and pains and not as much enthusiasm as yesterday. It is absolutely freezing today! One car seems to be struggling this morning with frozen diesel and I have advised our guests to add an extra layer. It was -12 at around 1,000m this morning. The sun is out but it is forecast snow for later today.

It is going to be a busy resort next week with UK February half term holiday makers arriving at the weekend. They are in for a good time with sun forecast all week.

After the snow we have had over the past few weeks, conditions are near perfect.

Happy holiday!