Val Thorens Snow Report: 4th March 2015

The snow is very much improved at the moment after last weekends’ snowfall but beware it can be mixed depending on the altitude. Towards the bottom in lower resorts, around 1400m, the snow is quite heavy, slushy and very spring-like. In higher sections there’s a great base and the ski days of scraping around an icy mountain are well and truly behind us, about time too!

It did seem that some people were getting slightly carried away with these spring skiing conditions and I did see one guy in a t-shirt brr. It always amuses me how people crave skiing in a hoodie or t-shirt, it wasn’t quite that warm! Whilst it can get pretty toasty at this time of year, it does still tend to be chilly on chairlifts and at higher parts of the resort. Less layers maybe, but I think if you’re heading out soon, you can leave your bikini at home!

The good news is that there is still some powder to be had. I did have a little giggle at a group clearly on a tentative off-piste lesson. Lots of rolling around was going on. This was on a pretty safe section in-between the pistes. Interestingly when out with ESF instructor Thierry a few weeks ago he highlighted some really useful information. When we headed down the off piste section off the back of La Masse he made a great point - quite often people make the mistake of seeing an instructor with a group about to tackle an off piste area and decide it is therefore safe for them to attempt the same. I have always advised guests who wanted to do this, that it is likely the group are fully equipped, the person about to follow is usually not.

Also more importantly Thierry pointed out, that often instructors have a specific off-piste route that can end very much away from the resort and requires transport arranged in advance for the group to be able to return. Anyone following will be left stranded. So if this is a tactic you like to employ, them maybe think again, hire an instructor and don’t piggy-back onto another group s’il vous plait!  

Unfortunately there were reports of two avalanche incidents causing injuries in the Orelle area of the Three Valleys. Thankfully the skiers and snowboarders were in a group and able to ensure help arrived rapidly. As ever, check the risk before attempting any off-piste, make sure you are equipped and know the risks to look out for when assessing an area. 

Whilst it was a beautiful day on Tuesday, by late afternoon the snow clouds were starting to roll in which was a good sign the forecast was spot on for Wednesday. Indeed it was, snow falling in the Three Valleys once again woohoo! It does look like it’s the last day of the white stuff falling for some time as the long term 14 day forecast is showing sun, sun and more sun. If you are skiing next week then it looks like you’re in for a right week!  If you’ve been waiting for a cheeky ski weekend then I reckon this is the time to book…

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Read more 3 Valleys Snow Reports from Meribel & Courchevel.