Val Thorens Snow Report: 5th February 2015

Having checked the forecast yesterday, seeing low cloud for today and reaching two months fatigue into the season, I thought what better day to get pampered.

I have been in St Martin de Belleville for six years and never ventured up to the spa at the Chalet du Gypse complex, I’ve been missing out! The guests who treated me to the voucher were lovely return guests and the father of one of the families does not ski. Instead last year he took himself off to the spa nearly every day for a treatment. Whilst this sounds pretty indulgent, if you add up the cost of a lift pass and equipment hire you’re probably at about the same cost for taking a massage everyday, now that is some way to do a ski holiday huh?

I had a one hour full body massage which was just heaven. Never have I had my ankles, knees and stomach massaged, there’s not an inch left that’s not been zenned! Generally a 30 minute treatment at Chalet du Gypese is around 45 euros and an hour around 80 euros, so fairly reasonable. A leg massage is great for tired ski legs or maybe you just need stresses and strains taking away. After the treatment you can also use the swimming pool, jacuzzi’s, sauna and steam room whilst watching the snow fall outside.

Hotel La Bouitte, just five minutes from St Martin, also has a spa and this week the restaurant has also been awarded an extra Michelin star making it now 3*. So, if you want an absolute treat, that’s the place for you. Up in Val Thorens there is a spa at the luxury five star Hotel Kohinor or alternatively try Village Montana, Hotel Le Val Thorens or Les Balcons, there’s plenty to choose from.

Right, let’s get back to the important stuff now, snow! Yesterday the day started off clear but by the time I was on the mountain at midday it was really low light and low temperatures. Whilst there is cloud lower down, I understand that at the top there is light snow and all the restaurants were ram jammed with chilly skiers needing to refuel. If I’m honest, it was not the best or most enjoyable days’ skiing I’ve ever done. It seems today is the last day of living in a cloudy mountain and from tomorrow until mid week we are forecast sunshine. So for anyone arriving next week, pack your sun tan lotion!

On a sadder note, unfortunately recovery teams have been out this week for two incidents in the Three Valleys. The first was at the weekend, an English man, mid 30’s who went missing on Saturday and was last seen at the top of the Olympic lift. As far as I am aware, despite search teams out for several days, he has not as yet been recovered. The second incident took place on Tuesday, a female seasonnaire in Val Thorens whose body was found the following day when she did not arrive at work. The recovery teams are incredibly efficient, being able to find the location from the ski pass records the previous day. She was apparently an experienced snowboarder and was equipped with a transceiver.

Whilst the avalanche risk is now at 3/5, the advice is repeated to ski with caution. It is advisable to not attempt off piste alone, to make sure you inform people of your intended route and be as well equipped as possible. I know several people who have all the kit, but it stays at home, get it in your bag!

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Ed: The avalanche scale runs from 1 to 5. Here's a run down of what each level means 1 = low risk, 2 = moderate risk, 3 = considerable risk, 4 = high risk, 5 = Extremely high risk. Please note that it says 'risk' at each step! Read more about avalanche safety.

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Read more 3 Valleys Snow Reports from Meribel & Courchevel.