Winter has come to Val Thorens

Lower temperatures and some snow this week

featured in Snow report Author Gemma Hunt, Val Thorens Reporter Updated 4 January 2017

Brrrr... temperatures have really dropped over the past couple of days and it finally feels like winter out here in the Three Valleys! We seem to say this every week (then contradict ourselves the following week as the forecast changes) but it looks like snow is finally on its way.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we are seeing maximum temperatures of -8 in Val Thorens, dropping right down to -12. There does not seem to be a prediction of a massive dump of snow, at around 5-10cm. However at the moment we are really not choosy, snow is snow and that seems enough to us!

We already woke up to a light dusting of snow in Les Menuires and Val Thorens this morning and, again with temperatures around -4, it’s noticeably more winter-like which actually came as quite a shock after a couple of months of mild conditions. Just a quick note with this, make sure you take care on the roads especially at night time where the icy sections are less visible. There have been a couple of bad road accidents over the past couple of weeks at the base of the valley in Moutiers causing delays further up the mountain, so please take care.

Aside from these warnings, there were some fantastic New Year celebrations at the weekend with impressive fireworks displays in all resorts across the Three Valleys, no budget cuts there. Guests who arrived on Saturday will also be treated to a second display tomorrow in St Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires and Val Thorens at around 18:30 (check individual resort information guides for precise timings). New Year's day was a beautiful start to 2017 with blue sky and lots of people out on the slopes to clear their heads and start off the year getting some miles under their skis.

Generally, it was noted at the weekend that all guests leaving resort seemed to provide the same review: that they were pleasantly surprised by conditions and had enjoyed a truly fantastic week’s skiing across the Three Valleys. So, with the fresh snow forecast, things are only going to get even better.

In terms of where to ski, over in Val Thorens the Peclet area always guarantees great pistes and that is once again true this winter season. Heading off from the altitude at 3000m, my personal preference is always via ‘Lac Blanc’ joining into ‘Les Vires’ and winding back to VT. However, if you fancy a change for your descent, then try the toboggan run which heads off from the foot of the Peclet glacier down ‘Tête Ronde’. With the award for the longest toboggan run in Europe, be prepared for a long descent lasting around 45 minutes. Children from 5 years old are allowed when accompanied by an adult, just make sure they are with a competent ‘sledge driver’ as it’s not an easy course to navigate, the brakes don’t really brake so well, and make sure you wear goggles. All good fun, though!

The statistics have not changed since our last report, so there are 218 slopes open and 125 lifts operating across the Three Valleys. In Val Thorens, there are 72 pistes available to ski accessed by 30 lifts operating.

So, aside from skiing and sledging, we shall mostly be looking out for the arrival of fresh snow... come on neige, you can do it!

When she's not reporting for us, Gemma runs My Mountain Boutique.