Sunny ski days bring January to a close in Val Thorens

A repeat favourite of ours which is worth the trip up, if just to see the immense snow level, is Cime Caron at 3200m. The snow formations up there are pretty impressive too and, if you have never been to the viewing platform, it is a good one to add to your itinerary. Looking in one direction towards Val Thorens and down the Belleville Valley and in the opposite direction over to Italy, it is a stunner on a clear day. Just beware that you will need to brave a ski boot hike up to get the photo opp and be careful on the slide back down. Afterwards, the run back to Val Thorens is a good leg burner if you manage it without a breather starting on the red 'Cold de l'Audzin' piste.

Generally, everywhere seems to have been delightfully quiet both on and off the pistes this week. This seems to be the calm before the February rush arrives over the next few weeks. With warm temperatures and not a cloud in the sky, it has also really given us a taste of spring skiing already. The agenda has tended to lean towards first lift for freshly groomed pistes followed by long lunches in the afternoon. It has been a treat to be able to take advantage of the many terraces in Belleville after having to be sheltering the past weeks from snowstorms and high winds. My usual winter diet seems to be underway when I stopped for a Nutella crepe and hot chocolate at 'Capricorne' in Les Menuires this week. A restaurant that is pretty tucked away just outside the Croisette area off the 'La Violette' piste heading towards La Masse. If you want a place from where you can literally unclip your skis and flop into a deckchair, then this place ticks those boxes. Reasonably priced and with waiter service right to the deckchairs means that you do not have to do the ski boot waddle to order either, which is always appreciated.

Whilst snow had been forecast earlier in the week, this seemed to get pushed back each day being replaced with blue sky and, finally, on Thursday we woke to the predicted snowfall. Overnight, there was around 20cm of fresh snow which continued to fall lightly all day with around another 10cm by late afternoon. Certainly more than was written on the forecast which was a measly 2cm. It looks set to clear up on Friday with more snow due on Saturday. Luckily, at the weekend the snowfall seems to be timed for early morning and then overnight, with sunshine sandwiched in between which will be better for those driving to/from resort.

After the sunny spell this week, we are set for some really low temperatures which is a sharp reminder that we are in the mountains and things can change rapidly. Saturday is particularly a chilly one with a range of between -10ºC and -12ºC, so wrap up if you are heading out for a ski and try to plan around the bubble lifts rather than chairlifts to save the face chill.

Finally, just a quick check up on the statistics. We can see that the snow level in Val Thorens is creeping close to the three-metre mark now with a snow depth at 3200m of 290cm. At village level, with an altitude of 2300m, the snow depth is still an impressive 235cm. Even driving into resort creates a good wow factor with the walls of snow next to the road and the immense piles that have built up in the streets. A great winter so far, let's see what February has in store for us!