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Val Thorens Snow Report: 9th February 2015

A sunny snow report from Val Thorens and a bit of James Bond action..

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

This week we have got great snow and lots of sun and it is definitely feeling like a ski season now. Temperatures have increased slightly so that you don’t have to dash inside to warm up and instead can opt for lunching outdoors, parfait.

Saturday was my fist day off this season with sunshine, an absolutely beautiful day. Unfortunately for anyone leaving resort on Saturday they may have found themselves stuck in traffic due to an accident towards the bottom of the mountain road leading to Moutiers. I heard that some people were sat for at least an hour without moving and others missed connections and have had to stay an extra week, what a shame!

Anyway, aside from the traffic delay, the slopes were just amazing. Definitely my best day of the season yet. We started dropping down towards Meribel for some really quiet pistes and great snowboarding. Then mid day seemed to be upon us in no time so if was a definite terrace lunch option at La Ferme de Reberty. Really good value and a beautiful terrace. A few more runs before watching the sun hide behind the mountain, a great end to the day.

Yesterday I was stood with ski boots in hand at 8.30am looking at a murky ski lift and decided against meeting the ski group. Apparently a bad decision, as it was blue sky above the cloud - that will teach me to be so picky! I opted instead just for a lunch of raclette, I think you really need to be doing some serious skiing before taking on all that cheese though..

The good week then continues today, as there was not a cloud in sight, a real mountain treat. I have been waiting a few weeks now to head to Orelle and wanted a clear view and today was it.

In the time I have been here I have snowboarded, skied, sledged, skidooed and parapented down the mountain, today was the first for flying down on a zip wire! At the highest point in the Three Valleys at 3232m at the top of Bouchet there is the chance to descend by zip wire, just awesome. It is not cheap at 50 euros for a few seconds descent but an experience you will remember. You do not need to book in advance and they do take cards if you need. I was told when I first arrived that it was too windy but after stopping to take a few snaps I was given the all clear. You get strapped into your harness with your board/ski’s on your back then don’t be offended at the sight of some weighing scales, they need to make sure you have the correct attachment, not checking what you’ve had for lunch!

Once you’re strapped in, you are off! It’s not really rapid but you do get to take in the amazing 360degree views whilst dangling your feet above the mountains. You are greeted at the other end, unstrapped and off you trot to continue skiing down the mountain. A great attraction for the area, if you get chance then definitely give it a go.

If you don’t know Orelle already, then try and get yourself there. It’s also known as the fourth valley on the far right of the piste map. There are two entry routes from Val Thorens, either via the Moutiers and Grand Fond lifts or my preferred route is at the top of Cime Caron and then down the steep black run, Combe Rosael, which is always quiet and gives amazing view points on the ski down. Luckily they have upgraded one of the lifts in Orelle last season so you can get quickly up the first section of the piste, the second lift however is still outdated and so does take some time. The zip wire is just at the top, you can’t miss it. Be brave and it’s quicker than skiing down!

Finally, one thing to look out for this week, Val Thorens are hosting the talk show Midi en France which is shown on France 3, all next week. If you want to take part in the filming then meet at at 10:40 am or 1:10 pm on Tuesday.

For the rest of the week, it looks like we have snow forecast once again at the weekend but before then we are set for a few more sunny days, I think it’s time to get dig my picnic basket out…

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Read more 3 Valleys Snow Reports from Meribel & Courchevel.

Location

Map of the surrounding area