After last weeks dump of snow we’ve had an amazing week of off piste skiing in the Espace Killy. We’ve had some absolutely epic days on the mountain in the past ten days with blue skies and bottomless powder!
Val d'Isere BackCountry Snow Report: 6th February 2015
An amazing week of off-piste skiing but the avalanche risks remain high
We have had quite a mixture of weather ranging from bluebird days to complete white-out with very poor visibility and high winds. Last Saturday after the big dump of snow we were fortunate enough to have clear skies for the whole morning which meant we could take advantage of some of the best snow this season in near perfect conditions.
Although the snow was incredible the avalanche rating was at level four so mellow pitches were the name of the game. We ended up doing several laps underneath the Grand Prix lift which was really great fun with plenty of wind lips to take advantage of. We skied Epole du Charvais which although was closed offered some really deep light snow.
Monday was a similar story with blue skies and high avalanche risk so tree skiing at lower altitude was a good option. Tree skiing both under the Laisanant Lift and Fornet Cable Car offered up some excellent untracked snow. In particular the White Hare in Le Fornet is definitely a lot more skiable with a lot of fresh snow to be found. The Signal Lift also opened this week which in turn opened up access to the Grand Valon area above Le Fornet which during the week was full of fresh snow and heaps of terrain to cover.
Today was by far one of the best days of the season with a dump of around 20-30 cm of snow in Val d’isere itself and a further 10cm on top of that in Le Fornet where I skied all day. We were first to ski the White hare this morning and were treated to bottomless powder and fresh turns from 09:30 to about 2pm when my legs finally gave out. I can honestly say that I think the skiing today was some of the best tree skiing I have ever done in Val d’Isere! With blue skies forecast for the coming days we should be set for even more amazing conditions throughout the week.
Some of the most dangerous slopes are still steep north facing slopes above 2500m where the weak layer of snow still exists where the freeze thaw process has still not taken effect. These slopes should generally be avoided. The avalanche rating was bumped back up to level 4 today which means the snowpack is generally unstable in most places and avalanches can be triggered from very low additional loads. Hopefully the avalanche risk will settle down as the week progresses and we can start accessing some steeper lines.
Most weather forecasters are predicting a week of sunshine so for those of you arriving this weekend you should be in line for a great week of skiing some of the best snow we have had all season alongside some excellent weather conditions! ENJOY!
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NB: Off piste skiing and mountaineering are dangerous. The opinions expressed in these articles are very much time and condition specific and the content is not intended in any way to be a substitute for hiring a mountain guide, undergoing professional mountaineering training and/or the individual's own back country decision making.
Airport Transfers in Val d'Isere
Transfers for Val d'Isere
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Shared Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 84.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Travel directly to your accommodation with a convenient connecting vehicle, regular scheduled departures and helpful local representatives. This affordable shared service combines comfortable transport from Geneva or Lyon Airport with a final transfer to your chalet, hotel or apartment in Val d’Isère.
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Shared Airport Transfers
Low-cost and professional shuttle bus transfer service to Val d'Isère
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Quick and secure way to organise transfers from local airports and stations
A key booking portal for local coach and bus transfers in the French ski resorts. Using this service to coordinate your travel means getting to resort could not be easier.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 545 per vehicle one-way (weekend rate)
Enjoy direct door-to-door travel, flexible collection times and a vehicle reserved exclusively for your group. Choose from four airports, standard or premium vehicles and experienced alpine drivers for a comfortable, personalised journey to Val d’Isère.
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Scheduled/Shuttle Coach Airport Transfers
Geneva to Val d’Isère from CHF 52.50 per person one-way (weekend rate)
Enjoy daily scheduled departures, onboard toilets, convenient resort stops and ski luggage included at no extra cost. With experienced alpine drivers and dedicated airport assistance, these transfers offer a comfortable and affordable way to reach Val d’Isère.
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Private Airport Transfers
Geneva Airport to Val d'Isere from €524 per minivan one-way (weekend rate)
With over 5,000 rides completed and 95% of clients returning, this private transfer service is designed around the needs of skiers, from reliable airport pick-ups to comfortable journeys to your accommodation. Experienced, professional English-speaking drivers, vehicles prepared for Alpine winter conditions and no extra luggage fees for skis or snowboards help make travelling easier. With airport meet and greet, door-to-door transfers, secure online booking and a focus on punctuality, you can organise your Val d'Isere transfer with greater peace of mind.
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
Ski Hire in Val d'Isere
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Val Spirit Delivery
Free delivery, fitting and collection service by British ski & snowboard rental shop
This is the only independent, British-owned ski and snowboard shop in the Espace Killy ski area which also offers a delivery service to Val d'Isere.
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Front de Neige
Ski hire perfectly located right next to the snow front & lifts for easy access
Ski & Snowboard Hire located at the bottom of the slopes, you can leave the shop with your skis on. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
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La Daille
Snowboard & ski hire shop in the Daille Soleil building
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset La Daille store!
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Boraso Sport
One stop shop for all your ski and snowboard equipment hire in Val d'Isere
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
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Portillo
Save 10% extra: use promo code STWSKI when booking ski hire online
At the entrance to Val d’Isère, on the avenue Olympique, our SKI REPUBLIC Val Portillo shop is on your left hand side (coming from Bourg St Maurice or la Daille), 100 m past the ice driving circuit and just past the petrol station.
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Ab Skishop
Ski rental in the centre of Val d'Isere between the bus station and tourist office
Florent and his team offer you a warm welcome to their store Ab Ski, which is located in the heart of Val d'Isere on the Avenue Olympique (in between the two roundabouts on this main road).
Ski Schools in Val d'Isere
Ski School Lessons in Val d'Isere
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
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Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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Private ski lessons
Ski and snowboard school offering lessons with qualified British instructors
This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Group ski lessons
Ski and snowboard school group lessons with fully qualified British instructors
This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
Winter Things To Do in Val d'Isere
Wintersport Things To Do in Val d'Isere
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Snowmobiling
30min guided snowmobiling excursion
Passenger or driver, it’s up to you to decide!
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Heliskiing/boarding
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Dog Sledding
20-min dog-sledding tours around the Tarentaise mountains
Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.
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Guided snowshoe hikes
Half-day and full-day guided snowshoe walks through the mountains
Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
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Heli-Skiing
High mountain guides, ice climbing, mountaineering and heli skiing
Alpamayo are a group of high mountain guides based in Chamonix all year round as well as in Val d'Isere and Tignes in the winter.
