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Val d'Isere Snow Report: 5th February 2012

Alaska today? Freezing temperatures continue

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

The conditions today were still absolutely freezing. We hit a low of minus thirty three with wind-chill at the top of the mountain today. It was not a day for the faint hearted.

Siberian sunshine was definitely what we were experiencing. The skies were cloudless and the sun was shining, but it was not warm. The pistes were in fantastic condition, and if you were prepared to walk for it, there is still some great off-piste skiing to be found. Some of the instructors here have even been finding fresh tracks when they’ve put in the effort to walk.

This morning the sun was making conditions slightly more tolerable, but as soon as you were in the shade the temperatures dropped. Radio Val d’Isere was warning of extreme cold and advising you to wrap up well and keep skin covered, especially high up. Later in the day and the cold crept back into everyone and everything. If you touch anything metal with bare skin you will probably stick to it, so be really careful.

The conditions tomorrow are due to be similar, not quite as cold, but still around minus twenty. This is still severely cold so make sure you have enough clothes on. After that, we’re expecting light snow showers on Tuesday and Wednesday, with more snow lower down, so the road could be a little tricky if you’re driving up mid week.

As for where to ski this week, try to stay in the sunshine! The mornings will have the best conditions, especially until we have some more snow, as the slopes will get a little scraped towards the afternoons, and I’m not convinced anyone actually loves icy moguls! As for when will be warmest, around the middle of the day is best, when the slopes have warmed up slightly and the sun is at its highest point.

Other news, Top Gear’s James May was in Val d’Isere tonight, racing a mini down the Olympic downhill, the Face de Bellevarde, with the Monster Energy drink Rally team. Tomorrow morning at around seven the final shoot is taking place, and then on Tuesday the Rally team will be launching themselves over the kickers in the Oakley snow park! This should be pretty special to watch, even if it will be very cold!

As far as off piste skiing goes, the best place to look for information and advice is one the Henry’s Avalanche Talk website as these guys really know what they’re talking about. They can also tell you why the avalanche rating is going up from a two to a three tomorrow! Stay safe out there!

Remember to wrap up warm and have an awesome holiday.

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 2

Snow Report
  • Total Pistes: 164

  • Alt. Resort: 1850

  • Alt. Summit: 3000

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1850

  • High Temp.: -8

  • Latest Conditions: Siberian Sunshine