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Val d'Isere Snow Report: 4th January 2016

Lots of fresh snow to start the new year

featured in Snow report Author Wayne Watson, Val d'Isere Reporter Updated

Conditions have changed drastically over the weekend as we’ve received about 80cm’s of fresh snow and more snow is forecast Monday night, Wednesday, Thursday and a few flakes on Friday.

Unfortunately we’ve had some strong wind as well that has limited the opening of the higher lifts in the resort so skiers are concentrated together on the lower slopes making the resort feel a lot more crowded than it really is.

I’d suggest getting out early as the pistes start perfectly smooth but with the fresh snow they become bumpy very quickly and rather uncomfortable. The early-bird also gets the fresh snow by the side of the pistes and believe me, fresh powder doesn’t last very long!

With the colder temperatures the ice on the local skating rink is in great shape and is open every day after 2PM. Skates are available for hire and make sure your children wear a helmet as you’re more likely to crack your head skating than skiing!

Off-piste conditions have now become rather serious with the avalanche risk shooting up from 1/5 to 4/5! We’ve had 80cm’s of snow but with winds of 90km/h at altitude vast amounts of snow have been transported by the wind building dangerous wind-plaque. With the unstable base and heavy snowfalls it will take some time for the mountain to stabilise and the avalanche risk will remain high for the next few days at least.

The road conditions have at times been treacherous so make sure you have winter tyres and/or chains to come up and down the valley, and to use the areas set out for putting on your chains. There has been chaos when drivers realise too late that they're in trouble and then stop in the middle of the road to put their chains on.

Weather in the village:

  • Tuesday - Cloudy -5C/-2C Wind from the SW at 5km/h
  • Wednesday - Snow -9C/-4C Wind from the W at 5km/h
  • Thursday- Snow -7C/+1C Wind from the S at 5km/h gusting to 50km/h
  • Friday – Partially sunny with a few flakes -4C/0C Wind from the SW at 5km/h

Note these wind speeds are in the village and the wind is usually much stronger at altitude.

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Location

Map of the surrounding area