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Val Thorens Snow Report: 4 March 2013

Sledging, sunshine, dining and shopping

featured in Snow report Author Gemma Hunt, Val Thorens Reporter Updated

Only six weeks left of our season now so we need to make the most of it. Not bad conditions to be doing so! We have had another week of sun which makes for absolutely beautiful conditions.

As mentioned in the previous report the day of sledging did indeed take place. We opted for the slightly more tame track in Les Menuires. We received two free runs with out lift pass which was a bonus. It is still a pretty fast course and crosses the piste on two occasions which is interesting! Luckily it was fairly quiet when we went up so it was just our group falling down the track. A fall out of the sledge is inevitable. Tip; make sure you keep the leg/arm strap attached otherwise it is a long run to chase your sledge! I was last down taking the slow and steady approach. I understand there was a competitive race for first at the front of the group.

We also finally managed to eat at one of the local farm restaurants using all their own produce. We went to Chantacoucou in Chatelard (just outside St Martin) on Wednesday evening and were really impressed. There is no menu, you just get what is on offer that day, risky if you are a picky eater but a great experience. We had a selection of meats to start and veal with mushroom sauce for main, delicious. I can thoroughly recommend it. It is a really cosy restaurant with a great atmosphere.

As I had a quieter week work-wise I also managed a girls away day from the mountains trip to Annecy. It is a really great place to stop if you have flown into Geneva. A lovely little village and stunning views around the lake. Also, a rare treat for any mountain girls – a trip to H&M!

Not impressed by the prospect of shops the boys came up with a better plan. So, whilst the girls were shopping the boys took a ski tour. With New Generation Ski School they trekked for two hours along the ridge over the back of La Masse. Not heading into the well used bowl but over towards the right. They then boarded down to Lac de Lou and a chair lift later ended up in Val Thorens for some well deserved après beers. With blue skies and great snow, they came back smiling.

There is light snow forecast for the rest of the week but temperatures are certainly up. I am not complaining, I have had a few lovely sessions in the mountain deckchairs so far. It is difficult to get the right layering system at this time of year. It is generally lovely and warm on the lower slopes when layers need to be stripped off but up higher and particularly on open chairlifts it gets a bit nippy. It is always worth checking the weather report for the day to get a heads up on the temperature and know what to wear.

Some guests arrived late afternoon yesterday and we just managed to get a couple of hours on the slopes. At around 3pm it is not normally a time that I would have bothered to head up the mountain but the conditions were amazing and the sun was shining, a great start to their holiday. From the plane to the slopes in one day.

I was hoping to make it over to Val Thorens for the Queen of the Park event yesterday but did not make it due to the arrival of guests. It sounded like a great day and I will definitely hope to make it over for the next one. There was the option of coaching and board test. I am certainly not a park boarder so it would have been a great opportunity to get some tips and increase confidence. Maybe next time.

Stats

Snow Report
  • Alt. Resort: 2300m

  • Alt. Summit: 3230m

  • High Temp.: -11

  • Alt. High Temp.: 2300m