Brilliant weekend in Val d'Isere

We started with great powder on the piste, known as ‘low-hanging-fruit’ because it's there in front of you without any risk. We did a couple of non-stop runs before we needed to venture off-piste to find fresh snow. We then skied the Combe du 3300 and the Pays Desert before heading over the Col Pers and out through the Gorge du Malpasset. It was all beautiful powder top-to-bottom and it was a thoroughly satisfying day.

The Gorge du Malpasset is a raging river most of the year but some winters, when enough snow avalanches into the river, it creates snow-bridges that make it possible to ski on top of the water flowing underneath. Some winters there are too many gaps and holes that make it impossible or very dangerous to pass through because, if someone falls into one of the holes, they can be swept under the snow-bridges and drown.

It has been rare to have the gorge open during the past five years or so but last winter we were lucky enough to have the gorge open. This season, I passed through on Friday and I’ve never seen it so full! The gorge being passable opens up a lot of wonderful terrain. I’ve been through three days in a row as the skiing has been exceptionally good!

With a few days of sunshine, the pistes have firmed up a little and have been groomed to perfection. Saturday is usually the quietest day of the week, followed by Sunday, and the piste skiing has been brilliant.

We are expecting a sunny morning on Monday before more snow falls next week, and it is possible to see another 100 to 150cms of snow. Hopefully, the wind won’t be too much of a factor and the snow won't be as disruptive as last week's storm, which was pretty severe to say the least. During next week, the snowfalls are forecast to be spread out a little during the week and not so heavy, so the new snow should be much more manageable. With any luck, we won’t have too much waiting around or periods where the resort is closed.

If you enjoy live music, Le Petit Danois has a band every night, (my favourite is the Guinea Pigs on Thursdays at 17:30), La Baraque has excellent music every night at 19:30 except for Mondays, and Mike and Ritchie play at the Moris Pub after skiing on Fridays. Cocorico is also a favourite with the younger après-ski crowd and it is an incredibly lively place!

Have a wonderful week and look out for another update on Friday.