English Weather, News, and Events - April 13th, 2025

Weather

Today is looking mostly damp and drizzly, we are expecting intermittent rain showers throughout the course of the day with a few sunny spells and breaks in the clouds this afternooon.
The 0 degree isotherm sits at aorund 2500m so we are expecting about 5cm of snow at altitude and nearly 10mm of rain in town.
The wind will be very light and prevailing from the south east, and gusts may reach up to 30kmh on the peaks but temperatures will remain very mild with a maximum around 9 degrees today in town.
At 09:00 temperatures were sitting at 8 degrees in town, -2 degrees on the Pisaillas Glacier and 0 degrees on Bellevarde. 

Ski Report:

In Le Fornet sector, everything is open today except piste tunnel which remains closed, piste Foret has also now closed.
Pistes Signal, Table d'Orientation and Petit Bois have not been piste bashed.


On the Pissaillas Glacier, everything is open and groomed today with no exceptions.



Up in Solaise everything will open today except the 3000 drag lift which is still closed due to lack of snow and piste Marmottons and Piste Arcelle which are now closed indefinitely.

Pistes Cugnai and the S have not been groomed.
There is also a chance that the L may close later due to avalanche risk. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.


As for Bellevarde, pistes Santons, Epaule du Charvet and G are now closed for the rest of the season. The bottom of the Diabold and the borrom of piste Joseray are also closed.
There is a race at the top of the OK Orange this morning so it is closed for regular use.


Some of the walking trails are still open, including Col d l'Iseran, Pont St Charles, Lac de l'Ouillette, Manchet and Marmots.
The cross country trail in the Manchet Valley is open.
..And the ski touring trail Brinzei in La Daille is now closed however Ecureuil is open but due to the lack of snow and frequency of required kick turns we recommend it to experts only.


The avalanche risk is 2/5 today but always take all safety precautions if you are planning an off piste adventure.

Dont forget your avalanche kit, including your transiever, shovel and probe.
And most importantly make sure you know how to use it.
Dont be an all the gear no idea kind of person,
Or as the nice Texan couple I met on the bus yesterday would say, who taught me a new expression they say in Texas - like a cowboy with a big hat but no cattle.

This morning, the road surfaces were clear.

/// Rockfall in La Daille
A rockfall occurred yesterday around 12 PM in La Daille, behind the stone wall located next to the Val Bus stop (see our photo). Despite the smoke and noise, which could be alarming, the incident caused no injuries and had no impact on the road thanks to the wall’s protection. These types of events are common in this area during this time of year, when rockfalls are frequent. A geologist reportedly visited the site during the day to assess whether further falls are likely in the area.

/// History of the Festival
Created in 1996 to liven up the end of the season, the Aventure et Découverte (Adventure and Discovery) film festival has since gained international success, with over 250 films shown, more than 90 jury members, and over 400 personalities from the world of adventure participating since its inception. Each year, eleven films compete, attracting more than 8,000 spectators over four evenings of screenings at the Congress Centre. For the past 3 years, the festival has also offered hybrid editions, allowing audiences to follow highlights and screenings online at festival-aventure-et-decouverte.com.

/// 28th Edition and Highlights
For its 28th edition, the Aventure et Découverte Festival invites audiences on a journey through human diversity and all forms of exploration. From Monday to Thursday, eleven films from the official selection will be presented by the master of ceremonies, writer and adventurer Sylvain Tesson, known for around twenty books on travel and adventure. He will be joined by the protagonists of the films as well as the directors. The jury will be presided over by journalist Claire Chazal, who will award the Golden Eagle Prize during the festival’s closing evening. This edition highlights the human experience through a variety of stories, showcasing diverse practices, landscapes, and approaches to adventure. The festival aims to be a space for exchange, adventure, and sharing. These four days offer a time for reflection on our relationship with the world through screenings, encounters, and workshops — but above all, through the stories and experiences of the men and women who open windows onto humanity.

/// Jury
Claire Chazal will have the honor of being the jury president for the 28th edition. The presenter will be joined by three other jury members, including the French champion, European champion, and world vice-champion in precision landing.

/// Awards
The jury will award three prizes:
Golden Eagle of Adventure, the top award, with the winning film shown at the closing ceremony
Alain Estève Prize, in tribute to the mountaineer and former head of GMHM who died in the mountains in 1997, recognizing technical merit in a film
Outside Hope Prize, which supports first-time filmmakers and expeditions
Ushuaïa TV has also supported the festival for over 10 years, awarding a prize that includes airing the winning film on their channel, selected by the editorial team.
The public can also award their own Audience Grand Prize. At each screening, spectators receive a ticket to vote afterward. Ballot boxes marked “not at all,” “a little,” “a lot,” and “madly” will be located at the exit of the Congress Centre for voting.

/// Films in Competition
A list of the eleven competing films—including one premiere and four debuts, can be found on our website.
La Madone by Laurent Jamet and Guillaume Pierrel, in which the duo aim to link the seven sacred Virgins of the Mont-Blanc massif in one race.
À Perte De Vue follows Pierre and Carla Petit on a spiritual horseback journey across the Kyrgyz steppes, highlighting a father-daughter bond and the story of a visually impaired young rider.
Un Pasteur by Louis Hanquet showcases Félix, a young shepherd in southeastern France, exploring the solitude of his work and his connection with wolves.
Les Prophètes de l’Escalade by Marie Linton dives into the world of climbing—its counterculture, performance obsession, and spiritual roots.
Alaska, La Cabane de Dick Proenneke by Eliott Schonfeld retraces the legendary explorer’s steps.
Mongolie, La Voie de l’Aigle by Hamid Sadar explores the sacred bond between a young girl, Aytuulgun, and her eagle, reflecting Mongolian ancestral traditions.
Ordinaire by Jérémi Stadler follows his 2,000-km, 2-month cycling journey, sharing a vision of a more environmentally aware world.
We the Surfers shows how local surfers in a Liberian village use surfing to rebuild after civil war.
Big Water Theory by Emile Dominé follows extreme kayaker Nouria Newman and two childhood friends tackling the treacherous Rondu Gorge on the Indus River in Pakistan.
Parfum d’Essence by Jessica Malbet and Anaïs Béné tells the story of a bike trip from the Alpilles to the Himalayas, culminating in a meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama—undertaken with no prior training.
Les Jours Sauvages by Yohan Guignard is a logbook-style film of four Savoyard friends spending 50 self-sufficient days in Alaska's Denali massif.

/// Activities
The festival will also feature:
Three out-of-competition film screenings
A sensory workshop with the team from À Perte de Vue
A screening and discussion with Eliott Schonfeld for school groups
Four literary meetups on Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Climbing intro sessions with Paul Bonhomme on Wednesday
Kayaking sessions with Nouria Newman on Thursday
Two photography exhibitions featuring images from We The Surfers and La Madone, on display under the festival marquee.


/// This Evening
At 6 PM, the "Before" event of the Aventure et Découverte Festival kicks off at Le Splendid cinema with a 29-minute short film titled “Le Relais des Océans: La Flamme Olympique Traverse l’Atlantique”, presented with the full crew in attendance.
Free entry with registration via the Tourist Office.
Tomorrow at 5:30 PM: Opening Ceremony at the Henri Oreiller Congress Centre.