Val d'Isere Snow Report: 8th March 2012

I was up in Le Fornet in Val d’Isere as, for me, this is the most easily accessible tree covered area, and the trees help to give some definition to the slopes you are skiing down. In the forest the snow was surprisingly good, but there is still some super hard packed snow underneath any softer stuff.

The main Fornet forest is to the right of the gondola as you're going up it. This is easily accessible off piste, but still comes with all the dangers so make sure you have all the right gear and know how to use it. The tree runs here are fantastic, but you have to be careful as there are a few cliffs dotted about, and there is the Isere river at the bottom. Take someone who knows where they are going (preferably a guide) at least the first few times you ski it.

From Le Fornet you can access a lot of off-piste skiing, of varying levels, but as with all off piste in Europe, it is not secured as it is in Canada, so there are risks, and you need to make sure you have all the right equipment and know what you’re doing. The weather can change in an instant, and we’ve seen some pretty special storms this winter. That said, we have some truly amazing skiing here, and it is well worth the visit.

The weather forecast at the moment is for the ‘white out’ conditions to continue tonight, and into tomorrow morning. Throughout the course of tomorrow it is supposed to clear up, with the sunshine returning to the slopes properly on Sunday. Between now and then, we’re supposed to experience some light snow showers with occasional breaks in the clouds, and milder temperatures of between minus eight and ten during the day, and minus eleven and fifteen during the night. With the sunshine, the temperatures are supposed to rise, along with the freezing level. This peaks with a height of three thousand one hundred metres on Sunday night. Hopefully it will cool off again after this. This may mean some more T-shirt skiing but will also mean more snow meltage which won’t be so good. It is, after all, only March. That said, who doesn’t like lunch on a sun drenched terrace? It might also mean spectating at the European X-Games is a little more pleasant than last winter if it continues.

The European Winter X-Games are on everyone here's lips right now. The X-Games kick off next week on Wednesday with famous names such as Shaun White turning up for the first time. Shaun White is a bit of a legend, to say the least, and was in the line-up for both the Slope-Style and Half-Pipe events, but now is only listed for Half-Pipe. Other big names include Hanna Teter, Gretchn Bleiler and our very own UK riders, Jenny Jones, James Wood and Jamie Nicholls.

If you are in town then you should definitely go and visit the free event. See our Events Calendar for the programme and to see what is happening where, but if you’re a little more spontaneous, just turn up and see what’s happening. Last winter they had open access hot tubs in the grounds along with trade stands from all the big brands, and lots of bars too. I will only be in town for the first day, as I’m off to throw myself down a mountain at a Freeride World Qualifier, but it looks like it is going to be one hell of an event this time around!

Enjoy the sunshine when it comes, and stay safe on the mountain.

Bon Ski!