Val d'Isere Snow Report: 7th January 2014

We received 20-30 cm of fresh snow last week and had some fantastic powder skiing! There still a lot of instability in the snow pack so we are being very cautious  and choosing our routes carefully.

I want to insist that although luckily we haven't had any fatal avalanches in Espace Killy yet this season, there have been many slabs triggered by skiers that could have had fatal consequences. On Tuesday a guide from Tignes was taken by an avalanche in Champagny en Vanoise. The guide was able to inflate his air bag but was taken over some rocks and fractured his femur. His three clients were not involved in the accident.

The last few days have been really warm with almost spring-like temperatures. This has compacted the snow quite a bit and many slopes will now be un skiable due to the heat but there is still some good snow to be had.

Also, normally when it gets warm, the snowpack settles and get more stable. My opinion is that with the extremely weak layer we have in places, this is only partially happening and it's still critical in many areas and will continue to be so when we get more snow on top!

Looks like it's getting colder soon and there's more snow on the way next week so let's keep enjoying the powder but not "dropping our guards" it's a particularly unstable and tricky season!!
Have fun and be safe