WEATHER
A drizzly walk to work today with clouds low in our village,
But this has turned to real rain.
Not all as dull as it feels as we had 5-10 centimetres of snow overnight
And more is falling.
A lot is expected, especially on the border with Italy.
A return of the East, as they say.
But the weather is weird, and it is possible that the snow filled clouds
Will miss us.
Mixed suncream, neck warmer, waterproofs and goggles type of day
As damp with a cold front arriving and limited visibility.
It is currently warmish
At 9.30 the temperature is
- +6° in the Village.
- 0° on Solaise.
- -2° on Bellevarde.
- -4° on Pisaillas.
ROADS
There are no problems expected on the roads in Val today BUT….
If you are heading out of town towards Bourg,
Take note - there are roadworks in Seez.
The road will be completely blocked until 17.00 today.
There will be a diversion, but it could be slow.
Annoying if you are shopping,
Scary if you are rushing for a plane…
SKI REPORT
For the most up-to-date information please click here
Here are the highlights of the ski report.
Tricky day for the pisteurs, a bit “Rock and roll” as Cedric says….
So, please respect the difficult decisions these experts are having to make.
More pistes are likely to close as the day goes on.
if a run is closed - Do not ski on it.
Why do you think you know more than the local ski patrollers ?
Only 3 lifts are closed, but quite a few of the lower slopes are
already closed for the season as the warmth has melted the snow
and the rain is washing what is left away.
So either rocky or avalanche prone.
But the advantage of a huge playground is that there is still plenty of skiing !
The snow higher up is better.
You will find deep sticky slush and rocks on the lower slopes.
Even in the trees, there is a risk of avalanches today.
Luckily we have fast comfy lifts to get you down
without wrecking your body, marriage or testing your sense of humour.
ON BELLEVARDE
Monoski World Cup Championship is in the Snow Park.
Apparently they are fearless (and mostly British)
so weather shouldn’t deter the fun.
The following slopes are closed.
Don’t nip under the ropes.
The Santons
The Brinzei touring track
Borsat
Genepy
Criterium
Epapule du Charvet
Lanches
Village perdu
G
The orange
Top of the OK
Bottom of the Diebold
Border cross may open if visibility allows.
ON SOLAISE
The following are closed :
The 3000 lift and piste
The Marmottons
The L
The Aiglon
The Arcelle
Eccureil
S
Mattis
Route du col
And Traverse du Laisinant
The Leissiere chairlift taking you to le Fornet and back is not open at the moment.
LE FORNET
Everything is open except the :
Tunnel
Arollay
Table d’Orientation
The Foret
Even the Mangard may close due to the risk of avalanche.
If the ropes are there – it is not a joke.
ON PISAILLAS
Everything should open and all the slopes were groomed
But the Combe du Geant is avalanche prone so may also close.
And it is already windy there, so lifts may close.
On the nursery slope
Everything is melting fast
The avalanche risk today is a very significant 3 out of 5.
We are thinking very heavy, very very wet avalanches.
If you are thinking of heading off piste – why not choose a less dangerous day ?
Or hire a mountain guide.
Never ski Off piste with anyone who doesn’t have a beep, probe and shovel
and has practised recently.
Could they find and dig you out quickly ?
Any doubts ? Stay on piste.
If you are going to Tignes, use either the Tommeuse or Borsat chairlifts.
Our multi activity and cross country tracks in the Manchet Valley and la Daille are closed
But those on the top of Solaise are open.
For walkers – You could walk to the Pont St Charles
or take the lift up to the top of Solaise.
The wind will stop you going up in the lift to the top of le Fornet today
in case the lift stops before you are safely down.
LOCAL NEWS
Today is the 3rd day of the Adventure and Discovery Festival.
A major event which isn’t just about the films.
At 10.00 come to the Experimental Chalet and meet 2 authors talking about Alaska,
and their books about Alaska.
At 11.00, try climbing on the wall in the Sports centre,
led by a member of the jury who has done some pretty scary climbs in his time.
Then at 15.00 in the cinema there is a film about Antarctica
with the director there to share his experience and answer questions.
This evening 3 more films are competing for the festivals 5 prizes.
Around 1800 people enjoyed last night’s films,
300 online from the comfort of their chalets.
Who said Monoski was dead ?
The Monoski World Cup is happening in our Snow Park today.
Not quite as serious as the FIS world cup downhill.
Think 80’s outfits, brightly coloured, flashy one piece suits.
Dare I say “Garish” …..
Races start at 11.30 and the finals at 15.30.
There will be a Barbeque and music will be provided by “Warm Up”.
The fun will continue later in town
With a tombola and a prize giving ceremony at 19.00.
2 more people were rewarded with silver medals for loyally returning to Val
for more than 30 years.
Stephanie remembers being able to ski to her front door in les Andes.
Her husband first came to Val when he was 4 months old.
Not completely his choice at that time, and
He waited a few years before sliding on planks.
When he was 9, he became friends with his sponsor, Radio Val’s presenter Frédéric.
The 80’s and 90’s were clearly a fun time for him here,
coming 2nd in a dance marathon,
And eating Chocolate croissants on the way home from the nightclub.
That was a long night !
The ceremony had a truly family feeling :
The medals were presented by Frédéric’s mother.
Yvonne Ducarouge had previously pinned medals onto the chests of both
Romain’s mother and brother.
Finally, this morning there is a breakfast meeting organised by the Tourist Office
where local businesses can find out more about the end of season events
Ski & Chill and Last Tracks.
Our plans to improve Safety on the Piste will also be discussed.
The 28th Adventure and Discovery film festival is in the Conference Centre .
Over 4 days 11 films are competing for 5 prizes
including one that you can vote for.
Another 3 films tonight
showing in both the conference centre and the cinema
Or online at this link
17.30 “Ordinairie”
54 minutes.
English subtitles.
19.15 “We the Surfers”
52 minutes.
21.00 “Big Water Theory”
83 minutes.
English subtitles.
You can buy tickets online or in the Tourist Office.
25 euros for an evening of films or
9 euros per film in conference centre, 7 if watched in the cinema, free online.
10.00 Experimental Chalet, Near the Post Office.
Meet authors, Eliott Schonfeld and Volodia Petropavlosky talking about Alaska
and the books they have written, about Alaska.
11.00 Introduction to Climbing.
Try the climbing wall in the Sports Centre under the expert guidance of
Paul Bonhomme, who is a member of this week’s Festival Jury,
and done some very special climbs around the world.
It is free but you must be at least 8 years old
and please book at the Tourist Office as spaces are limited.
11.00 The Monoski World Cup.
Is happening in the Snowpark on Bellevarde.
A party atmosphere.
Think garish 80’s ski kit,
Music, barbeque.
To be continued in town this evening …
tombola and prize givings.
11.00
If you have toddlers or small children
2 years old or older
who can understand French
come to the Multimedia library for a story fest.
Free of charge.
15.00
Come and discover the Val Kids area
at the top of Solaise –
– just as you get out of the bubble, and just below the Lounge
(building at the top of the bubble with toilets, rest and picnic area inside) .
You will be shown some of the
‘behind the scenes’ activities of the teams
that work hard to protect you
and make your holiday special.
Learn how
they make snow
the emergency services work.
avalanche dogs are trained.
15.00 « Les Sentinelles de l'Antarctique »
In the Cinema.
Part of the festival, but not competing
There is a film about Antarctica and the director, Christophe Raylat,
will be there to share his experience, and answer your questions.
The Maison de Val is the building between the Conference Centre
and the Swimming pool & Sports Centre.
There are 2, free, art exhibitions in the corridor towards the cinema.
“Raconte” (Tell us…).
Colourful cartoons, of thought-provoking encounters,
by famous Savoyarde artist Clément Rizzo
And
« Toutes les Vies se Val ».
(Everyone is Important.)
charcoal portraits of Avalins (Very Val residents)
by a local artist, Laura M.
19.30 – 21.30
Special evening event at the Swimming Pool and Sports centre.
You are invited to relax after 19.30 until the centre closes at 22.00.
Anyone who buys a ticket for the swimming pool,
can take also use the Wellness Centre’s jacuzzies, saunas and the hammam
without paying the usual extra charge.
Don’t miss THE end of season Party.
This weekend ….2 days of music and dancing
on the terrace of the Signal restaurant, at the top of the Fornet cable car.
On Saturday 19th April,
House Music legends DJs Gregory and Yellow from Paris
Sunday 20th Hypnotic Chambord with David Dee.
Time to shower and change before continuing the fun
21.00 – 02.00
at Diling DIling in the main street.
Easter Weekend is fast approaching, so the supermarket Les Halles de Val
Is showcasing lamb.
Pyreneen Farmhouse red label with spring vegetables,
Leg, shoulder or rack of lamb roasted with herbs
or
Lamb curry.
Les Halles de Val has something for everyone this Easter!
Free local Buses
The red shuttle bus (‘le train rouge’) runs between La Daille and Le Fornet, via the roundabout adjacent to the nursery slopes (‘Rond-point des pistes’)
It leaves la Daille every 10 minutes from 07.00 to 19.50 and then every 20 minutes until 02.10.
The night bus leaves Le Fornet at 20.10 then every 20 minutes until 2.30.
The blue shuttle bus (‘le train bleu’) travels between the Rond-point des pistes and Legettaz every 15 minutes from 08.30 to 23.00.
The yellow shuttle bus (‘le train jaune’) takes you to the Manchet valley via the main street and the rue de la Balme and Rond Point des pistes every 20 minutes from 08.30 to 23.20.
The Purple shuttle bus between Val d’Isère and Tignes : leaves the new bus station at La Daille at
07.55 8.35 10.50 16.25 17.25 18.20.
On request it will stop at La Reculaz and Villaret du Nial.
It leaves Tignes 1800 at 08.05 8.45 11.00 16.35 17.35 and 18.30.
The Swimming Pool and Sports Centre is open from 07.30 to 22.00.
The Tourist Office is open from 08.30 to 19.30.
The Multimedia Library is open from 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 18.00.
The Town Hall (La Mairie) is open from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00.
The Association for Employees in Val d’Isère (Vie Val Dis) is open from 09.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 19.00.
The Reservation Centre (On the Lower Ground Floor of the Tourist Office) is open from 08.30 to 19.00.
