Val Thorens Snow Report: 4th March 2012

We are lucky enough to have Europe’s highest ski resort and the world’s largest ski area as our oyster. Whether you own a local Val Thorens pass or a Three Valleys' whole area pass, whether you are here for a week away or enjoying the entire season, there is enough variety in the pistes and snow conditions up here to keep all the snow-goers happy this winter.

Over the last two weeks the weather has become far less varied than it was towards the end of 2011 and the beginning of this year. We have had day after day of blue skies and sunshine and the air has been especially warm. There are a number of ways that one can take such a weather stint. The weak willed may moan that it is ruining the snow, reducing it to slush lower down and encasing it in a crust further up. However, such an approach is not necessary in Val Thorens. Ranging from 1800m at the bottom of the valley, to our highest point at a staggering 3420m (Orelle’s Pointe du Buchet), the varied geography of Val Thorens allows for a wide variety of snow conditions.

Generally, when it is warm, the worst snow (read 'slushiest') will be found at around town level, the bottom parts of Plein Sud and the central Cairn run usually being the worst affected. Not to worry. Higher up on the North facing side of the valley, the snow is more pleasant to ski on. For a speedy run, try Col following onto Moraine, stopping at Chalet du Thorens to finish the run with a hot chocolate. These pistes are wide, uncomplicated and flat, making for a good place to practice turns or just bomb it on the compacted snow. Alternatively, venture up Portette and Funitel de Thorens. At the top you will find some great views looking over to Orelle and two exciting runs with reliable snow (softer from Portette downwards) and moguls aplenty.

Anyway, the fact of the matter is – brace yourselves – snow is coming. That’s right; after a slight (yet instantly effecting) dusting last night, Val Thorens is due to experience moderate to light snow showers through until Thursday, with a sunny break on Wednesday to shake off the icicles. Even after last night’s inch of snowfall, it was immediately apparent underfoot this morning. The most irritating thing about the presence of slush is not that it actually hinders your riding but that it makes traversing a flat area a long drawn out affair. That was not the case today, the fresh stuff seeming to have dried out the offending areas which has really sped up traffic on the slopes. But the snow is not just a bringer of practical boons; it has also managed to improve piste conditions incredibly quickly and also top up the off-piste enough to make most of it ride-able once again (there’s even a little untrodden powder in some places). And it should only get steadily better throughout the week.

If it’s off-piste you’re after there are a couple of unexpectedly interesting spots at the moment that I have recently begun to enjoy. Firstly, at the top of the always-busy Plein Sud, take a right out of the chairlift, head past the piste-markers, follow the few ski tracks and stay high. The route will take you over and around a small brow to a wide open obstacle course of humps, bumps, rocks and banks. At the moment the area is quite hard and I would not recommend heading up there until we’ve had some more snow. It’s also an area better suited to those with a high level of control as there are indeed some obstacles to negotiate. Secondly, there is the off-piste areas between the Boismint, Blanchot, Tetras and Plan de l’Eau slopes at the bottom of resort. Once again, the slopes are dotted with obstacles, this run being even more extreme since it is longer and has steeper slopes intermittently. Nevertheless, it’s a blast to take the Boismint chairlift up and head down to the bottom of Plan de L’eau keeping off the pistes. Bring a helmet though chaps, it can be a bumpy ride.