Val Thorens Snow Report: 11th February 2016, Val Thorens

Conditions are fairly bleak at the moment however that is not putting people off with busy lifts, pistes and restaurants. When conditions are like this it is well worth trying to book your lunch stop to ensure that you can dry off and warm up. With a higher volume of skiers at this time of year and with restaurants having limited indoor space, normally relying on spacious terraces, everything tends to be busier than normal.

It is probably a good week to enjoy a lazy breakfast rather than a first lift alarm as the ski lifts are tending to have a delayed opening and there have been some closed three valleys links due to high winds [check live lift status here].

So on a non-bluebird kind of week here is a heads up for the warmest lifts to try and head for to make sure you are not stuck on a slow chairlift being snowed/rained on!

St Martin

St Martin 1 is a nice spacious, comfortable bubble lift to start the day however with only one lift out of the resort queues can be larger than normal. Luckily the second chair lift has now been upgraded to include a lovely cover to shelter from the wind and snow. After that the reliable Granges lift has a cover too to take you up to the top.

If you need a hot chocolate stop the Grand Lac restaurant at the bottom of this lift is a good stop-off as they always have a roaring fire going in the morning to cosy up next to and they are happy for you to dry gloves and goggles on the stones surrounding the fireplace.

Les Menuires

Over in Les Menuires ‘Bruyeres’ is a nice long cabin lift which will take you to the top so you can drop straight down into Val Thorens. Over in Las Masse both lifts there are the old school bubble lifts with that strange seat at an odd height meaning you cannot sit properly or stand against it however you will be dry!

Roc 1 and Roc 2 are both nicely covered and there is a nice fire at the mid point at Chalet des Neiges if you need to warm cold hands and toes.

Val Thorens

The Peclet lift over in Val Thorens was updated a few seasons ago and is now the Rolls Royce of lifts with proper comfortable seating snaked inside so you don’t have elbows and skis in your face. The 3 Vallees lift out of Val Thorens is a good option rather than the chairlift situated just next door for some cover. Cairn and Caron provide indoor comfort too however be prepared for a squash in Cime Caron as everyone tries to pile in to get up the mountain.

Here Hotel Mercure or Hotel Tango are good points to have a glass of wine next to the fire and watch the snowflakes fall outside whilst you are toasty indoors.

It looks like if you can persevere for the week in these snowy conditions you will be rewarded on Friday which is forecast as a lovely clear day. There is more snow forecast for the weekend with high winds on Sunday. So just be prepared if you are arriving this weekend for limited lifts and perhaps delayed opening. From Tuesday onwards however the snow eases off and you should have great conditions for half term skiing.