Val d'Isere Snow Report: 8th January 2013

After unbelievable storm cycles coming through Val d’Isère and Tignes in the early season, it seems that bluebird days have now become the norm- until the next powder session kicks in, of course. That can only mean one thing: that we’ve had the solid base of snow needed to go absolutely crazy using everything the piste has to offer. With every single side-piste and hors-piste tracked out, we’ve been attacking the slopes along with all of our favorite holiday-goers.

It has definitely been an experience. While powder days keep us rising early and fairly reasonable in the après-ski scene, bluebird days means spending the day shredding pistes while on our way to another restaurant/bar higher up the mountain. It also means getting a bit too rowdy on the sides of pistes in Solaise resulting in a potential increase of accidents and more tomfoolery. We can’t forget that it also means people are rocking their costumes, and who can blame them? Finally, it just means getting the friends together, cruising and riding fast on groomed trails all over l’Espace Killy.

Today was definitely the epitome of a standard day for warmer temperatures and softer snow. Having behaved last night, we were geared up and ready to go by 9:30 this morning, a Chevallot croissant in one hand and a coffee in the other. Off we went toward Bellevarde, being sure to check out the state of La Face on our way. While our brain said ‘yes’, our legs said ‘maybe not today…’ We continued on towards Tommeuse with the Grande Motte Glacier in Tignes as the target. Days like these must always be spent in the sun’s warmth we can only find in high altitude. Dropping over the ridge, we rode down to Val Claret and hopped onto one and then two chairs to reach the bottom of Grande Motte. It was here that we realized our brilliant idea was shared with many other people looking for a steep, fast, and long ride all the way to the bottom. With the wind blowing the trams, we had to wait longer than normal to get to the top, only heightening our anticipation!

And it was…totally worth it! The snow was firm but soft enough to give a bit with every turn. The extreme lefts and rights of each piste was layered with the perfect snow to comfortably gain speed while the center was crisp enough for any skier looking for that perfect carve. We sped through each elevation change with ease as visibility was completely clear. After a couple more pistes leading from Val Claret, we headed back to Val d’Isère, making sure to take advantage of the Orange and OK pistes heading back to La Daille. With the Criterium having closed them for the better part of the beginning of the season, it was time to see how our level would compete with the best racers in the world. Needless to say, we did really well…

So ends another absolutely amazing day in the beautiful Espace Killy. With so much terrain to play with and overwhelming sites to see, it’s incredible that we’re even able to fathom living anywhere else!