Val Thorens Snow Report : 7th February 2013

This week’s skiers have had to contend with bad visibility and winds, but under the planks the pistes are in great condition with lots of powder. The downside is that you just cannot see where you are going! Not everyone is aware that the poles on the right hand side of the piste have an orange tip so always keep these on your right hand side to make sure you stay on the piste. On a serious note, also, make sure everyone stays together if you are skiing in a group, it is easy for people to go AWOL in bad conditions. On a less serious note, it is also a good time for filming as people start rolling around in the powder! I have seen some great footage this week, which makes fantastic post dinner viewing.

My guests this week have persevered with the not so perfect conditions and made the most of each day - who can complain about too much snow? I am quite often amused by peoples’ comments when they wake up to see it is snowing such as; “will the ski school be closed today” or “will the lifts be closed today”. They seem to forget that this is a ski resort, it operates with snow, it is not the UK. Generally the only reason lifts are closed, as happened this week, is due to wind or for avalanche blasting. Luckily high winds did not actually kick in as forecast until around 17:00 yesterday once all the skiers were down off the slope. They were really quite fierce - you would not have wanted to be on the mountain.

I am lucky enough to be out here all season and can pick and choose the days I go out. This week I have opted for indoor activities rather than snow time such as catching up on admin and long lunches. Today I met friends at the aptly named Les Rendez-vous in Val Thorens. It was lovely to catch up with wine and pizza whilst watching the snow fall outside.

It is also a good time to get to the gym. There are fantastic sports centres in Les Menuires and Val Thorens. It is quite bizarre to work out and then relax in the spa whilst looking out of the huge glass window at skiers going overhead on the chair lift. The facilities there are great with a huge steam room, two saunas, two jacuzzi’s and plenty of sun loungers to cool down and relax. I think the term ‘sports centre’ conjures up a bad image of UK council swimming baths, cold and uninviting. They know how to do it properly in the Alps and it is well needed to ease aching ski legs.

It is not particularly cold at the moment but that is set to change next week when the temperatures are due to drop with the maximum temperature being around -15, ouch! The snow is not set to completely ease up next week there is sign of sunshine some mornings and light snow in the afternoon. Considering the ‘light snow’ that has fallen this week, I think we are in for a snowy treat over the next few weeks.

Unfortunately it is Chalet shopping day today but once that is out of the way I should be able to fit in plenty of mountain time. My board is in with the more than capable team at Twinner for ‘fartage’ (after three years my husband is still amused by the French term for waxing) and will be ready to go early on Friday morning.

I am just a little bit excited…