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Great first week of December skiing in Val Thorens

70cm of fresh snow on the forecast this week.

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

Well, what a week in Val Thorens! Not a bad start to December with two fantastic events, bluebird skiing conditions and now, fresh snow on the forecast.

Kicking off with racing rather than skiing, last weekend Val Thorens was host to the 'Trophee Andros' that took place on the highest ice driving circuit in Europe at 2300m. This event takes place every year during the first weekend in December with some of the best drivers competing. It's a great spectator event whether you are on foot (free shuttle bus from the centre to the track) or on skis (just opposite the Plein Sud lift). Previous years have seen a rather bare circuit due to disappointing early snow cover and high temperatures, however, this year the track was in great condition. Spectator conditions were also perfect with blue skies and sunshine, an early reminder that it is maybe time to dig out the sunblock!

Great first week of December skiing in Val Thorens

The clear skies have stayed put in Val Thorens with bluebird skiing conditions all week. Val Thorens is currently the only resort open in the Three Valleys and the pistes are still delightfully quiet. The resorts of Les Menuires, Meribel and Courchevel will all open this weekend linking up the Three Valleys ski area.

Val Thorens itself has been open since 18th November, so if you haven't yet dug out your skis you've already missed out on three whole weeks of snow time. The opening this year has been much more snow satisfactory than the last couple of years, with the month of November delivering the perfect pre-season combo of regular snowfall and low temperatures.

Great first week of December skiing in Val Thorens

The great early winter conditions have also been good news for the lower resorts in the Belleville valley with Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville already nicely covered. It is no secret that the past couple of years have not been the best and hopefully the conditions so far are a good indication of things to come. Learning from previous years and along with some serious investment in snow cannons, the low temperatures have also meant that we have seen artificial snow being 'stock-piled' to get slopes in tip-top condition by creating a good starting base.

image of a chair lift on a mountain

This week another event hosted by Val Thorens was the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup. Originally due to take place this weekend, but with heavy snow and wind on the forecast, the schedule was brought forward. The first round of racing took place on Thursday when we still had blue skies and clear conditions. This is a free event to attend with the finish line and spectator area just behind the 'Peclet' lift.

In terms of the results from the first day, the favourite in the women's event, Sandra Naeslund, from Sweden took first place in the final after qualifying by the skin of her teeth in the heats. She beat Heidi Zacher, Kelsey Serwa and Brittany Phelan to take the top podium position.

The winner of the men's competition, Chris Delbsoco had form in the final after winning all three of his heats. The win was also pretty impressive considering last season he suffered from injury and surgery, just getting back on the snow three weeks ago. Whilst local racer Jean-Frederic Chapuis did not qualify for the final, French racers Arnaud Bovolenta and Terence Tchiknavorian finished second and third on the podium to keep the host fan clubs cheering.

The race schedule for Friday has been cancelled due to heavy snowfall, the intention being that racing will continue on Saturday depending on conditions. So if you are in resort please check local information for the up to date schedule.

image of a snowy chalet and a mountain

It seems the race organisers were more than just in their decision to bring proceedings forward as we have today woken up to around 15cm of fresh snowfall and it does not look like it will stop anytime soon. This weekend we are forecast over 70cm of snow with the heavier snowfall predicted for Sunday into Monda,y with just 5-10cm on Saturday.

The roads are being cleared, however with such consistent snow on the forecast if you are arriving in resort by car please make sure you are equipped with chains/snow tyres as driving conditions are likely to be difficult especially if you are heading right up to Val Thorens.

Temperatures are staying low this weekend with Saturday showing a maximum of -12 and minimum of -15 in Val Thorens. With high winds of around 50km/h also forecast it is perhaps not an ideal skiing weekend but we are sure if you opt for a 'rest' day the wait will certainly be worth it when conditions clear up next week.

Great first week of December skiing in Val Thorens

Finally a quick run-down of the stats for Val Thorens – we have a snow level of 90cm at 2300m and a slightly deeper snow depth of 115cm at 3200m. There are currently 52/86 slopes open in Val Thorens with 24/30 lifts functioning. 

So, all in all, a great start to the season and an exciting weekend ahead with the opening of the Three Valleys links and lots of fresh snow. What more could we want!

Location

Map of the surrounding area