Val Thorens Snow Report : 4th February 2013

It is actually the weather people like to see the forecast the week before they are coming out on holiday. Guests generally are not too keen on a week of snowy days and like the odd sunny day here and there. I am certainly not complaining about snowfall - especially leading up to one of the busiest weeks in resort, UK February half term.

Conditions have been pretty varied over the past few days. It was certainly very ‘refreshing’ at 3,200m at the top of Cime Caron towards the end of last week. It was not a time to hang about and take in the 360 degree views. With the weather extremely windy and cold it meant the board was strapped on quickly and everyone headed down as quickly as possible. Not only was there wind to contend with, on the way down conditions varied from powder to ice on each turn. Not the best, but I am sure after the snowfall over the past few days and the amount due later this week, just a week later conditions will be totally different up there. The joy of being in the Three Valleys.

As mentioned in my last report, my parents did indeed have a go at snowboarding. Conditions on the lower slopes on the chosen day were actually pretty good with soft snow and no ice sections. The result of the snowboard lesson was that my mum now thinks that skiing is not such a bad option after all! She was particularly not keen on the gear I had kitted her out with – helmet, wrist guards and back protector, finding it harder to be able to bend down to do up the bindings than actually sliding down the slope. Not a bad effort for a couple in their 60’s and they provided much amusement for the people enjoying a café au lait at the bottom of the piste.

Early risers in the Chalet have unfortunately not been rewarded for their eagerness to get out on the slopes this week. With higher lifts being kept closed for the first part of the day due to wind. Lifts have then opened up later in the day and so the whole area is open for exploring and they have come home happy skiers. With the same forecast for the following day they have then treated themselves to a lie-in the day after. Whilst it is disappointing when lifts are closed it is done for a reason, the Three Valleys team really do know their stuff, they are not just doing it to spoil your fun. It has also meant that guests have concentrated on exploring the local slopes and had fun finding sections off piste to play around. I have had lots of Dads in the Chalet this week trying to impress their teens, amongst the stories there have been collisions with trees and following a demonstration of skiing backwards, an impressive star shaped skier sliding down the slope which has resulted a lot of laughing and pointing from the kids!

There was discussion this morning around the breakfast table regarding the cost of the Three Valleys lift pass and exactly what you get for your money. One way to cost it out is the number slopes and/or lifts you get for your euro. A six day Three Valleys pass costs 260 euros (or 245 euros for the tribe pass). There are 172 lifts giving you access to 318 pistes. In theory you are paying for the lifts so that is around 1 euro 50 cents per lift available for use. Not sure you can many other journeys for that and you certainly do not have as much fun afterwards!

So, if you are out here already then enjoy the snow, if you are coming out next week, enjoy the snow and if you are here for the season – enjoy!