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Val d'Isere Snow Report: 31st January 2012

Back in Alaska. Freezing temperatures return to Espace Killy

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

It felt like we were back in Alaska today, the temperature had taken a dive and the white-out conditions were back. There was fresh snow, but the flat light made it difficult to spot. The conditions were interesting to say the least, but, there is snow on the hill, so I will be going riding!

I had an early start considering I was staying on piste today, and was on the slopes for half past nine. Our first lift was the Solaise Express and we were very grateful for the cover on the chair lift as temperatures were around minus fifteen. A ski instructor friend I met at lunch time had been wearing three down liner jackets! The run down from the top of the Solaise Express back into town was varied. Everything from patches of soft powder snow to hard packed almost ice like stuff and everything in between. The light was very flat too, so it was hard work for your legs, but very good for your riding.

We headed up the Olympic bubble next, and conditions at the top were even colder. The same was to be said for the ridges between Val d’Isere and Tignes and all the higher lifts in Tignes. This morning was insanely cold everywhere. My fingers and toes were numb, and my nose felt like an icicle. That said, I enjoyed the patches of fresh snow, and I was with a good group of people, so I had a fun morning. We stopped for a lunch (warm-up) break at DouDoune Le Chalet in Val d’Isere to thaw out our extremities and plan the afternoon. It felt mildly warmer, although the forecast suggested otherwise. Today was a crazy day, but it was still good to be up the hill.

The forecast for the next couple of days is suggesting that the cold conditions will continue, but that we should have some sunshine tomorrow, and after the weekend. This does, as usual, vary with the forecasts but they are all predicting some sunshine after the weekend. There looks likely to be a little more snow over the weekend, but nothing to write home about. Still, all snow is good snow in my books right now. My advice is to wrap up warm, get up early, and enjoy the little fresh snow, and the freshly groomed pistes. After that, the snow is getting a little smooth and runs very fast, but can still be enjoyable. As everyone seems to get told throughout their skiing or snowboarding careers, bend your knees! It really does make a difference, especially in icy or flat light conditions.

Enjoy the sunshine when it comes, and fingers crossed for more snow.

Bon ski!

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 2

Snow Report
  • Total Pistes: 164

  • Alt. Resort: 1850

  • Alt. Summit: 3000

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1850

  • High Temp.: -10

  • Latest Conditions: White out!