WEATHER
It snowed 25 centimetres overnight, and the clouds cleared quickly so you can ski under a beautiful blue sky,
until clouds return this afternoon.
The wind will blow from the south west at up to 70 km/hour.
Described as feeble this morning and stronger
this afternoon.
So don’t forget face coverings for those chilly chairlifts.
Walk carefully as the paths are very slippery in parts.
What about investing in some pull on grippers for your winter boots ?
At 9.50 the temperature is
- -3° in the Village.
- -9° on Bellevarde.
- -14° on Pisaillas.
The maximum temperature at 2000 metres will be +1°
ROADS
No problems are expected for careful drivers with properly equipped cars.
SKI REPORT
For the most up-to-date information please click here
Here are the highlights of the ski report.
Yet another wonderful day to be skiing in Val.
Fresh snow and sunshine.
There is a limited PIDA.
This is the avalanche prevention tools and techniques.
The ski patrollers are going out in the helicopter to blast a few worrying areas.
So there have been some delays opening some lifts.
The 3000 draglift on Solaise and the broken Signal draglift in le Fornet are the only lifts due to be closed all day.
You may have heard that last week a winch cable broke
sending the huge grooming machine zooming wildly downhill before hitting a pylon.
All going well it will be repaired befor the February school holidays.
Most pistes were groomed last night and will open today.
Will mention the few exceptions.
ON BELLEVARDE
Closed :
Boarder cross
Monde du gypaete
Fresse
Santons.
Tempting as the Santons is, this gully may well suddenly fill with snow….
Please don’t annoy the pisteurs by skiing under the ropes,
As they may have to dig you out
Why do you think you know more than our local experts ?
ON SOLAISE
The L
Cugnai
3000 piste
Will stay closed.
IN LE FORNET
Everything is already open except
Tunnel and Signal which will be closed all day.
The Foret is never groomed, and has lots of lovely soft bumps, best to bounce down if you are an expert.
ON PISAILLAS
Nothing open AT 10.15.
Depending on the PIDA, the following should open
Moraine
Pisaillas
Montets
Lac Cema
Pays Desert
Please remember that Green pistes, particularly
The zones tranquilles, are primarily for beginners.
Don’t buzz fast past beginners.
It is not fair, and it is dangerous.
Whatever weird wobbles a lower skier is weaving,
The skier or boarder arriving from above
is ALWAYS responsible for avoiding anyone below.
The avalanche risk today is 3 out of 5.
This is a significant risk.
If you fancy skiing off piste do your team understand the area
and today’s conditions ?
New snow, High humidity, Wind, Slabs.
Make sure all your pals are appropriately equipped with at least beep, probe and shovel.
Airbag is also nice….
Do they ALL know how to use them?
Could all of them find and dig you out quickly ?
Remember – Your experienced leader could be the one that is buried.
Any doubts ? Stay on piste
or book to ski off piste with a mountain guide.
We all need to keep learning, and revising what we think we know.
Tomorrow, local ski instructor Steve Angus is giving a talk
about avalanches and safe offpiste practices,
in his very best English.
It will take place in the Maison de Val.
Places are limited so best to contact the Vie Val d’Is to book.
If you are going to Tignes
use the Tommeuse or Borsat chairlifts
Don’t forget the last lift back is 16.30.
For Cross country skiers and walkers.
Same rules apply….
If the paths are closed due to the risk of avalanche,
go somewhere else.
There are tracks prepared for you to slide elegantly along
In the Manchet Valley and Lac Ouillette.
Walkers and their dogs can enjoy all our paths apart from
the Pont St Charles,
Les Marmottes
les Branges.
Les Sources may also close.
We are very lucky to have beautiful areas where our dogs can run safely and freely.
Please respect this.
Always pick up their poo.
LOCAL NEWS
Last night 160 skiers (20 more than last year) from several resorts gathered at the top of Bellevarde
to share a minutes silence and raise glasses
in memory of friends and colleagues we have lost,
Before clutching torches and sliding respectfully down the steep black run, The Face.
At least 200 braved the weather to share their memories
and watch from below.
At 17.45 this evening, our local ski champions
Clément Noël and Victor Muffat Jeandet
will be under starters orders at the World cup slalom
in Schladming, Austria.
Clement has already beaten the French record, but is aiming for a 15th gold, his 5th of this season.
Talking of racing ....
There will be Cross country pairs relay race
at 18.30.
Open to everyone, free to enter, prizes to be won !
A Fun track will be set up on the Place des Dolomites.
Anyone can enter, holiday makers or locals,
professionals or amateurs, experienced or beginners.
The winners are the team of two that complete as many laps as possible in 20 minutes.
If you would love to join but sadly don’t have the kit -
no excuse, trackside shops will lend you all you need.
If you don't fancy the spills and thrills of competing,
Come along, have a hot drink and cheer.
It was very popular last week, and places are limited
So if you are keen be there when the registration opens at 18.00.
Sneaking in an interesting Team GB race snippet
Laurie Taylor and Dave Ryding came joint 16th in the recent World Cup race in Kitzbuhel.
Not often team mates are so equally matched !
This summer, the Alpine Cup vintage car rally
leaves Evian on the 18th of June, before stopping at
Our Refuge de Solaise on the 20th,
then finishing in Cannes on the 21st.
Each year (this is it's 36th) 150 people take part in the race which covers more than
800 kilometres, 25,000 vertical metres and takes in 15 mountain passes.
Including our personal favourite, Frances’ highest, our very own
The Col de l’Iseran.
Fan of Queen ? The band rather than Camilla ?
You will have to stay another few weeks, or come back,
As on the 18th February Val will host the Savoie Orchestras orchestral version of their greatest hits.
Tickets are already on sale at the Tourist office.
Finally from a Great British band to our snowsports best.
Mia Brookes - this young English snowboarder continues to stun us with spectacular performances.
She has now added X Game silver and bronze to her medal cabinet.
Well done Mia, and all the team supporting you.
18.30
Register from 18.00
Cross country skiing Race
Do not miss it !
Free to enter, free to cheer on !
A temporary track with bumps and banked corners will be installed on the Place des Dolomites
Between Val Village and the bottom of the nursery slopes.
Local businesses, Intersport and Boraso, next to the track will lend whatever kit you need to whoever wants to take part,
and there will be free hot drinks for both competitors and spectators.
The race is a relay, with two in each team.
One skis while the other catches her (or even his) breath,
the aim is to do as many laps as possible in 20 TWENTY minutes.
We hope to see as many of you as possible.
The teams can be made up of local ski instructors, novice holiday makers, enthusiastic youngsters from our village, or a mixture of all three !
If you don’t want to ski, come and sip a mulled wine while cheering them on !
19.30
Special evening at the Swimming Pool and Sports Centre.
Where for the price of an entry to the swimming pool
you can use the Wellness Centres :
Saunas
Jacuzzi and
Hammam for free.
20.30
"Betterman" is showing in English in our comfy cinema.
This is an unusual biographical musical about Robbie Williams.
Clever computer trickery portrays the Take That star as a
chimpanzee…..
It follows the highs and lows of this talented, but insecure, singers life.
Tomorrow night at 20.00
Local ski instructor Steve Angus is giving a talk about
avalanches and safe offpiste practices, in English.
It will take place in the Maison de Val.
Free, but places are limited so best to contact the Vie Val d’Is to book.
accueil@vievaldis.com
Tel + 33 4 79 06 84 78
From tomorrow until Sunday, come and celebrate Chinese New Year !
You can’t miss the Butchers Bunch
As they will be in fancy dress…..
offering a wide range of Asian delicacies to
tantalise your tastebuds and pique your curiosity.
So if Asian Flavours are your thing, come to les Halles de Val.
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.
