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Val d'Isere Snow Report: 13th January 2012

Friday the 13th is lucky for some. Beautiful bluebird skies again

featured in Snow report Author Debbie Priestley, Val d'Isere Reporter Updated

The weather in Espace Killy has been fantastic over the past few days with bright blue skies and not a cloud in sight. The snow conditions on the pistes are perfect, although come late afternoon they can become rather choppy with some moguls, and icy in places, but all in all it’s what every skier or snowboarder is looking for.

Today l was in Val d’Isere this morning, and then Tignes Le Lac later on. The conditions were so good l felt as though l was flying rather than riding. Most of the slopes down to Le Lac were fairly hard by the afternoon, however they were still really grippy, and running very fast which is awesome for anybody wanting that perfect carve and some speed.

The majority of the easily accessible off piste ski area here in Espace Killy is tracked. If you’re looking for fresh lines then you need to be prepared to hike for them. Even Henry, from Henry’s Avalanche Talks, is saying that the lines are hard to find at the moment. I’m on a mountain safety course as of Sunday and I’m really hoping for a little fresh snow to improve the conditions for touring.

The weather forecast is (unfortunately for me) for sunshine until at least Wednesday, and then maybe a little cloud and a slim possibility of some light snow on Thursday. The temperatures are due to be fairly mild during the day, with a low of minus six, although with possible wind chill on top of that. At night on the other hand, we’re due some pretty low temperatures, as low as minus twenty three on Saturday night, so if you’re going out clubbing remember to take a warm jacket, and ideally put it in a Cloak room so that it’s there when you’re heading home!

These conditions will probably mean we’re in for some fairly hard and fast skiing conditions, and that the best time to be up the mountain will be in the morning when there is more grip on the slopes. That said, the morning is usually the best time to ski, the slopes are grippier and, especially if it’s a powder day, you get the best lines.

The glacier in Le Fornet is now open, with repair work having been finished on the pylons after the storm damage from earlier in the week. The Grande Motte is still closed from a fault right at the start of the season. The passengers had to be roped out of the cable car when it stopped back then which isn’t really what you want on your holiday, although I’m sure there’s a good side to it, pretend you’re James Bond for a bit maybe?

Tomorrow should be sunny and clear, so get your kit on and go for a play. It truly is beautiful weather at the moment!

Bon ski!

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 3

Snow Report
  • Total Pistes: 164

  • Alt. Resort: 1850

  • Alt. Summit: 3000

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1850

  • High Temp.: -2

  • Latest Conditions: Bluebird skies