Val Thorens Snow Report: 21st February 2013

I have however braved going out on the slopes a couple of times this week with guests and absolutely loved it. There is a considerable difference between the valleys. At the beginning of the week we headed over to Val Thorens and Orelle and the snow was amazing. Really great conditions but incredibly cold so I was glad of a hot shower when we got back. The pistes were absolutely beautiful, a real treat and great fun to ride.

The second day we headed over towards Meribel, La Tania, La Praz and Courchevel 1850 where the snow was still good but it was really icy in sections, especially down on the lower slopes. One of our guests had to change skis at the end of the day as they were really not coping with the icy conditions.

The slopes however have been surprisingly lovely and quiet. On many occasions we had the piste totally to ourselves, such a shock for February half term. If you time it right in the morning then you do not even experience any queues. It is best to head up either before ski school or just after so that you do not meet the ski school after they have completed their first descent.

The sun has been shining all week which has been bliss. It means your day takes on a whole different pace and you get time to savor your lunchtime and après beer sat outside rather than huddled inside. The deckchairs have been firmly in place outside each restaurant this week and the terraces are filled with skiers catching the rays.

Yesterday I opted for a slightly different activity and drove up the mountain with friends away from the pistes and had a short walk to find the best picnic spot. It was absolute bliss. We did it the French way with wine, cheese and bread – what more do you need?! The views were fantastic, the company great and the sun was shining - a perfect day off.

Some of my guests yesterday also opted for something slightly different. They had been informed that they could use their weekly ski pass in another resort for the day. It did take several trips to the ski pass office to get a definitive answer and it turned out they could indeed venture somewhere else. Their friends were over in La Plagne so by taking their ski pass and yellow ticket they could also have a day skiing over there. I was aware that I had this with my season pass and now know this applies with the weekly pass, worth knowing. It is not that far a drive from the Three Valleys and might just add something different to your week away.

I have also had guests staying this week taking their holiday at a slower pace. They have been armed with walking poles each day and explored the walking routes. The reason being that they are novice cross county skiers and wanted to scope out the tracks. They are finally braving a day out on cross-country skis today and I am interested to see how they get on. They have had a lesson before but on enquiry could not quite tell us all how they stopped on the skis once in the cross county tracks - apparently they have not learnt that bit yet! It will certainly be a good tale for around the dinner table this evening.

It looks like today is our last day of sunshine before we have another week of snow forecast. I cannot believe that we are nearing the end of February. With even more snow due on top of already amazing pistes it looks like we are in for great March skiing.

Keep the season coming!