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Bluebird ski days and fresh temperatures in Val Thorens

Slopes in amazing condition and blissfully quiet

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

We really could not have asked for more this week, bluebird ski days and fresh temperatures have kept the slopes in amazing condition and the resort is so blissfully quiet. It does seem that this week may have been the calm before the storm in more ways than one - with Christmas and New Year guests arriving over the next couple of weeks, meaning we will see busier pistes combined with a more literal storm with heavy snow forecast from Boxing Day onwards. Never mind snow dances this season there must be some serious snow raving going on somewhere!

I have to say that it has been really great to see the sun this week, and it has certainly put a smile on my face, I'm not sure we actually realised how long it had been snowing out here until we had these bright days to shine light on all the snow piles around resort. Temperatures have risen to around four degrees and have then been dropping just below freezing overnight, which has caused quite icy patches in and around resort for pedestrians so just take care at the end of the day. Evening temperatures have been adequately low, meaning that we have also seen the snow canons operating once again which is great for preserving the pistes for the season ahead.

Laps all day!

If you are looking to take advantage of sunny pistes during your stay in Val Thorens then maybe check out the new “blue run in the sun” in Val Thorens. A fourth blue run 'Corniche' has been added this winter to the 'Plein Sud' sector making it easier for skiers to get back to resort at the end of the day. Rather than descending underneath the 'Plein Sud' lift with the other tracks, this new run descends down towards the 'Stade' lift connecting with the end of the red 'Croissant' run and finishes in the more central location at the base of the 'Peclet' lift. We haven't yet tried it but will report back when we do!

People are the worst

Also new this winter, SETAM have made a considerable investment by upgrading the 'Moraine' lift from a chairlift to a 10 person gondola, which is much appreciated for those chilly days at high altitude in Val Thorens. It will also make a speedier connection with the 'Col' lift to take advantage of the more challenging 'Col' red from the glacier de Thorens and otherwise from 'Moraine' you can opt for the steadier blues 'Moraine' and 'Genepi'.

Get ready!

It is really not long now until Noel and we are forecast a sunny Christmas Day out here in the Three Valleys with temperatures of around six degrees on the 24th and a slightly lower two degrees for the 25th. It seems that this is then the end of the sunshine with snow arriving on the forecast once again and from Tuesday we are seeing the first gradual flutter with around 2-5cm forecast. This then increases to around 10-20cm on Wednesday with an impressive 20-30cm falling on Thursday. If this forecast is similar to the snow we have had over the initial couple of weeks in December, then these figures may also be a serious underestimation. Here's hoping.

On & off piste

For those arriving in resort this weekend, there will be the usual festive celebrations in Val Thorens, Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville including torchlight descents, Father Christmas in all three resorts and activities away from the piste for families. Check the local information for timings and details of the itinerary in your resort. Also just to confirm (as I have been asked in previous years by guests), unlike in the UK, everything out here stays open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day which includes shops, medical centres, sports centres, pharmacy's and of course the ski lifts! The slopes do tend to be quieter on Christmas day with groups choosing a more relaxed agenda staying in accommodation for the Christmas shenanigans of present opening, eating, drinking, eating and more drinking, with just a little bit of skiing. In fact, if you are not a huge fan of Christmas then the Alps are actually a good choice as surprisingly, despite looking like every Christmas film backdrop, you could actually forget it was Christmas at all out here, it's just “business as usual”. That is aside from the odd Santa Clause who may ski past you on the big day as fancy dress does seem a popular choice - especially for those who need to blow the cobwebs away after perhaps celebrating Christmas Eve a little too hard.

So much snow!

Anyway, however and wherever you choose to celebrate I hope you have a fantastic Christmas, we will be enjoying our early Christmas present of these perfect pistes and enjoying a mulled wine or two in the sunshine - Joyeux Noel!

Location

Map of the surrounding area