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Amazing conditions on piste in Val Thorens this week

A cold week across the 3 Valleys

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

This week in the Three Valleys it is stunningly beautiful but oh so cold! We have not really seen temperatures rise above -14 since the beginning of the week and that is down at an altitude of 1400m. Up in Val Thorens it is even colder still.

The pistes are in amazing condition being preserved beautifully by these low temperatures and with lots of new slopes now able to open and join the 3 Vallees domain. We have seen a slight increase in the statistics so we now have 291 slopes open out of a maximum of 343 in the Three Valleys along with 149 lifts open against a full capacity figure of 158. I am sure over the next few weeks they will be out pisting and preparing the remaining pistes ready for February.

a piste in val thorens

After last weeks’ snowfall we were not really expecting anything other than blue skies and chilly temperatures this week so it was great to find a nice surprise on Tuesday morning as there had been another light little dusting over night of around 5cm of fresh snow.

The term ‘off piste’ is actually now a thing in the Three Valleys compared to its’ previous non-existence so far this winter season. Obviously the better off piste areas are found at the higher altitude areas of Val Thorens and with the constant sub zero temperatures the powder is staying nice and fresh. The avalanche risk is currently graded as a ‘3/5 = considerable’ so as always make sure you are well equipped and know the area well before heading out.

In cold temperatures as we are seeing this week it is really a good idea to plan your route well, taking as many lift cabins where possible as opposed to chairlifts, making sure you can warm up a little before your next run. Also take a look at the recommended itineraries in resort, those marked with a sun show where you will find the sunny pistes.

blue skies over the pistes in val thorens

Lunch stops indoors rather than on the outside terraces also seem to be the popular options this week. It can always be quite difficult to find a ‘cafe’ type lunch stop in the Belleville valley rather than a full restaurant menu. There is a large selection of either snack stops where you can eat as a picnic on the piste or more formal restaurant set-ups. This week I did find a good sandwich spot tucked away in the Croisette in Les Menuires. La Tilbury is located in the centre of the shopping centre so is not really ski in/ski out but does present a good option if you want a snack stop indoors without breaking the bank. They offer breakfast too which again is not always easy to find in the Three Valleys if you have rushed out for first lift and then fancy a croissant and a coffee mid-morning. Their ‘formule petit-dejeuner’ is just 5,60 euros including tea/coffee, croissant/pain au chocolat and jus d’orange which is really reasonable considering at some places on the mountain you will pay nearly the same price just for your coffee!

The menu at La Tilbury is quite extensive with a large list of different variations for pancakes, sandwiches and paninis including the unusual options of nutella or caramel topped panini which you might want to hide from the kids! All the snack options are around 6 euros and they also offer burgers from around 12 euros. They don’t have the most modern decor but it’s comfortable and most importantly on weeks such as this, warm!

Over the next few days we are seeing temperatures rising slightly from between -5 up to -10 and then a nice indication of light snow fall on Sunday of around 2cm. This should top-up nicely the current snow depth figures of 100cm at 2300m and 17cm at 3200m. So generally all looking good in the Three Valleys, more of the same please!

sunny pistes in val thorens


When she's not reporting for us, Gemma runs My Mountain Boutique

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