Val Thorens Snow Report: 29th December 2015

Although having said that, the guests who arrived at the Chalet this week seemed more than content with conditions. Anyone arriving in resort will know that conditions are not as can normally be expected however they are not as bad as people believe.

Despite the lack of snow, you can still ski and you can ski across the whole of the Three Valleys. The main difference is that with warm temperatures and a lot of canon-made snow the pistes are hard packed and icy. A friend of mine who has been helmet averse for years has this week turned, given the recent conditions, feeling much safer will a lid on. The snow is easily found and better conditions are generally up on the higher pistes. The main thing to be aware of is that there are protruding rocks so you have to keep your wits about you a bit more than when normally cruising around the pistes.

If you don’t fancy skiing across the Three Valleys then just call your helicopter - I saw a group waiting as the chopper landed outside La Bouitte yesterday. That is a ski holiday in style, maybe not in everyone’s budget mind you!

The lower pistes which are closed have been adopted by teams of sledgers taking advantage of a good area to play around on the snow. Walkers can also be seen taking advantage of all the tracks which are normally covered in the white stuff but are now accessible.

It has not been an easy start to the season for businesses but they are not to be deterred, restaurants on slopes which cannot be accessed by skiers are open for walkers welcoming guests in the 10’s rather than 100’s for this week but non the less their doors are open. Similarly ski hire shops are offering bike rental if you’d rather get cycling instead of skiing!

The good news is that the weather forecast is looking up, the snowflake symbol has re-appeared after nearly a month of sunshine! The snowfall is due to arrive on New Years Eve and continue through to the middle of next week. It seems that it will just begin with light snowfall with heavier snowfall at the beginning of next week. Any snow is welcome at all! Temperatures have already dropped today and clouds can be seen clinging to the top of the mountain peaks.

It looks like winter might just get going again as we head into 2016!