Val Thorens Snow Report: 26th February 2013

The yellow thing in the sky and the fact that we are heading into March is making me believe it is spring skiing – but do not be fooled. It is still really cold out there which is great for maintaining the quality of the snow conditions. A day out on the slopes on Friday mainly consisted of coffee, up the lift, lunch, down, up, coffee and end. It really was that cold despite the beautiful blue skies. Our Chalet girls had wanted some serious skiing and opted for our fancy dress outfits - they ended up looking a little overdressed for a day of sipping the Savoie's finest coffees.

Due to illness at the weekend (inevitable when you are doing a season) this week has taken a steady start. I headed over to the other side of the hill on Sunday to watch the World Cup in Meribel. There was a great performance from some of the best talents in ladies downhill. Surreally I was also still around in Meribel on Sunday eve to see Graham Bell give his run down on Ski Sunday. He gave great reviews of the conditions in the Three Valleys at the moment. Who needs Graham Bell to tell you though when you have got Valthonet!

There is now only around six weeks left of the season. It really is flying by. The snow is amazing and there is some great skiing to be had. Snow showers are forecast for the rest of the week and then sun for the weekend's arrivals.

Now that we are well into the season the idea of non-ski activities are also on this week’s agenda. As a seasonnaire skiing most days is fantastic but it is also great to take time out and try some of the different activities on offer here in the Three Valleys.

It seems the most popular choice this week is the Val Thorens sledge track. I have done this several times before and it is absolutely terrifying but great fun. Being British, most people think that sledging must be pretty tame and for young children. Oh how wrong you can be. You kind of get the idea that it is not your usual UK hill sledging as you jump in the Peclet bubble heading up to the start of the seldge track. Again, you realise it is not your normal track when sat in your sledge there are skiers either side as the sledge run starts on a ski run.

I once went up there with one of our guests whose job was a health and safety executive, they still flew down but were not too pleased with their assessment! The track is fast and you have to learn to use your brakes pretty quickly. I also learnt early on that sticking your foot out to kill speed is not a good idea and could lead to plaster cast and crutches. The winner of the sledge race (not that we are competitive) normally looks like they have won a gold at the Olympics. I also took my 7yr old nephew on the track a couple of years ago and he was in tears after just a few minutes but absolutely loved it by the end. My husband always says that he would consider giving up snowboarding and just sledging each day as it is the most fun thing he has ever done. Either it is that good or he has lived a pretty tame life.

Come and find out for yourself – can you take the VT sledge track…