Val Thorens Snow Report: 5th February 2012

At the bottom of resort, the winding Blanchot blue run is a longer, more varied alternative to the well-trodden Plein Sud. From the top of the Boismint chairlift, the slope makes its way back down like a river, with satisfying bends and variable steepness. Whilst there are still some serious patches of hard, icy piste, much of this slope is softer making control a little easier. Moreover, the off-piste banks on either side of the run have maintained some nice fresh snow and there are plenty of opportunities for jumps on the descent. If you are feeling adventurous, peel off the piste and carve your own tracks into the largely untouched powder fields between Blanchot and the adjoining Tetras blue which heads down to the Plan De L’Eau chairlift. Such an option should be taken seriously as the descent can be quite hazardous with surprise gulleys and rocks peppering the fields. If you feel up to it, this is a nice and diverse off-piste area in which to practice your riding.

The beautiful weather is ideal for exploring new areas and getting adventurous with your off-piste riding. From the top of the Funitel de Bouquetin on the Eastern side of resort, there is a truly exciting off-piste line that you can cut across the Triton red piste and Pulviometre blue which makes its way back into town. The best place for riding fresh powder, however, is the small resort of Orelle, over the Col de Rosael and Cime Caron lift points on the South Eastern side of Val Thorens. There are the nice, steep off-piste slopes that boarder the Mauriennaise, Gentianes and Combe Rosael slopes that descend towards the Rosael and Peyron chairlifts.

But for a real thrill in Orelle, you need to venture off the beaten track a little. There is a criminally under ridden valley that can be accessed at the top of Grand Fond which is a delight; the towering peaks are dwarfing and the area has a real sense of the sublime. For a more extreme option, take the Peyron and Bouchet chairlifts to the Sommet de Three Valleys at 3230m and head straight ahead out of the chairlift. The warning sign and orange netting may deter you, but leap over that initial hurdle and you will find an adrenaline fuelled descent which eventually joins up with the same hidden valley. With the remnants of avalanches giving the slope a rough intensity, and rocks, large and small, making a fast descent a dangerous endeavour, this really is an area that must be ridden with caution and a suitable ability level (see editor's note below).

The beginning of the week is staying mostly dry with perhaps some light snow, on-and-off, between Monday and Friday. Do not let the blue skies and sunshine fool you into going out in a t-shirt; it is very, very cold in resort at the moment. Painfully cold. It must be a serious issue when the Setam staff are warning passing skiers at lift stations. Whilst winds are going to be generally light throughout the week, sudden gusts can give a painful wind-chill, especially on long chairlifts, so get those scarves over your noses. Nevertheless, the weather should be bright for most of the week and visibility is likely to remain clear. As long as the correct precautions are taken on the slopes and layers are applied generously, there is some great snow to sample this week in Val Thorens for the new guests of the week. And don’t forget to get along to the boardercross on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the Skicross European Cups being held this week.

Editor's note: see our Stay Safe this Winter article and, if you are thinking about heading off-piste, you should hire a Moutain Guide