Val Thorens Snow Report: 22nd December 2011

Still attempting to shake off the last of the early season rust, we ventured up the Funtinel De Peclet cable car to begin the day on the meandering blue run, Tete Ronde, which heads back down into town. It is a pleasant slope which can be taken fast or slow, making it a decent route to take if you are in a group of skiers and snowboarders or a group with varying degrees of ability, both of which could be said of our party.

The cloud cover throughout the day was generally thinner than it has been, but the conditions were still unfavourable for many. As such, after heading in for some lunch at the Frog and Roastbeef, the majority of our party melted off indoors for hot drinks and a sit down. Luckily our diligence in staying out paid off and in the afternoon we were finally privy to some favourable conditions. Once again ascending the Peclet, our now three-strong party (two skiers and me, a snowboarder) peeled off to the right down the red Lac Blanc piste. The blanket of cloud above us had begun to break, revealing the occasional patch of azure sky, giving us the courage to stay out for the afternoon.

It was only when we took the cable car up a second time that we were gifted an open expanse of blue, ushering in some excellent snowboarding/ skiing. Once again, we opted for the more exciting red run at the top of the Peclet, particularly since it is bordered by lush, rolling powder fields. After the disappointing morning, it seemed that most people had neglected the afternoon and these particular slopes were all but empty. With the sun brightening up the piste and finally giving some definition to the peaks above us, this is the first instance this season that I have been reminded of the true beauty of the Three Valleys.

As for Tuesday, the snow conditions were still very good and the weather was calm. At least, this was the case near the town. Up at the top of the Peclet it was a slightly different story. Alighting from the cable car we were hit with fierce winds blowing masses of powder up the mountain face. The blinding, gusty weather made the flat section at the beginning of the Tête Ronde piste a challenge to traverse, particularly for snowboarders. Furthermore, after that slog, the usually pleasant slope was marred by poor visibility and unstable powder moguls created by the freezing upward winds. It was necessary to recuperate in the cosy Chalet de la Marine, to have a cup of tea and wipe off the snow.

The conditions remained more or less the same in the afternoon, only with lower visibility and stronger gusts higher up. It was, however, much warmer than the morning and there were now a decent amount of people out on the slopes. Christine, a red run that is accessed via Tête Ronde, was an exciting change of pace from the blues that had taken up the morning. The conditions on the popular Plain Sud piste drew the crowds for the last stretch of skiing for the afternoon.

Thursday did not deliver the clear skies that were suggested by the weekly forecast but that did not deter skiers and snowboarders from flocking to the pistes in droves. The cloudy afternoon was blessed with the occasional bout of clarity as the fleeting clouds glided over the mountains. With clear skies forecasted for the weekend, it looks as though Christmas Day may make for an excellent day of festive skiing leading into a week of sunshine. Our fingers remain crossed.