English Weather, News, and Events - January 30, 2025

WEATHER

Bit of a foehn wind, bringing warmth and causing some weather chaos.
Cloudy in the valley, but should clear up here
With a bit more snow tonight.

At 10.30 the temperature is
0° in the Village.
-2° on Solaise.
-9° on Pisaillas.

The wind has been gusting at around 40 km /hour but could get stronger.
Might be chilly on a chairlift, so wrap up well.

ROAD

No problems expected on the roads today.

SKI REPORT

For the most up-to-date information please click here
Here are the highlights of the ski report.

The 3000 draglift on Solaise and the broken Signal draglift in le Fornet
are the only lifts due to be closed all day.
In case you haven’t heard, there was a bit of an accident
which took out a pylon. They are busy replacing this so the Signal should be open
in time for the February school hols


ON BELLEVARDE

The Brinzei touring track was groomed In prep for tonights Avaline Trax race.
If you are a keen tourer, with even a tiny competitive spirit, why not sign up ?

Boarder Cross may open or close depending on visibility.

The black run, The Epaule du Charvet was groomed from top to bottom.
So nicer day to give it a go, than when it is covered in hard bumps.
But never forget it is a difficult black run.
Consider your skill set ! Listen to your gut rather than your friends !

ON SOLAISE

Only the 3000 is closed.
The Marmottons and the S are never groomed.

IN LE FORNET

Everything will open except Tunnel and Signal which will be closed all day.
The Table d'Orientation has been groomed and is an unusual piste to try,
with a very steep entry.
The Foret is never groomed

ON PISAILLAS

Just the Cascade will be closed.

Please remember
Skiing in control is a fine thing !
Whatever weird wobbles a skier down the hill is weaving
anyone arriving from above is always responsible for avoiding those below.

The avalanche risk today is 3 out of 5.
This is a significant risk and most bad accidents occur on a 3 out of 5 day.
5 skiers have died in the Alps in the last few days
though, thankfully, not in Val d’Isère or Tignes.
3 Norweigan ski tourers died In an avalanche yesterday afternoon.
A 4th companion was dug out, hypothermic and had had a cardiac arrest
but was resuscitated and taken to hospital.
An English man in his 50's died on Tuesday after being taken by an avalanche
while skiing off piste in the Grand Montets.
A Swiss man in his 30's lost his life yesterday in Haute Savoie.
Our sympathy to all their families and friends.
Thanks again to our amazing rescue services.
These accidents are hard for them as well.
The highest risk here today is to those of you who wander far from the pistes
onto slopes that haven’t been skied much this year.
If you fancy skiing off piste, look carefully at your pals …
How useful would they be if things went badly wrong ?
Do they all have at least beep, probe and shovel
and know how to use them ?~
When did they last practice ?
How long did it take them to find 1 beep? 4 ? or more ?
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.
At 20.00 this evening local ski instructor Steve Angus
is giving a talk in Perfect English
about safe  off piste practices.
This will be at the Maison de Val but places are limited,
so contact the Vie Val D’Is to reserve your spot.

If you are going to TIgnes
use the Tommeuse or  Borsat chairlifts
Don’t forget the last lift back is at 16.30.

Cross country skiers and walkers.
Same “closed-for-avalanche” rules apply to you.
If ropes are up, go somewhere else.
There was an avalanche which covered a path in the Manchet yesterday.
Luckily the path was closed and nobody had sneaked onto it.

LOCAL NEWS

Are you a ski tourer ready for a challenge ?
The Avaline Trax Ski Mountaineering Race
takes place again this evening.
Good luck to the fiercely fit 100 or so who this evening will zoom 480 vertical metres
through la Daille forest, before arriving at the
Folie Douce.     
They will be rewarded at the Tontons restaurant in La Daille square
with well-deserved refreshment, and prizes.
There are 2 categories ….
The carefully timed must belong to the mountain sport organisations FFME or FFCAM
or be able to produced medical certificates  when registering.
The rest of the pack leave the bottom of the bubble at 17.45 so have a 30 minute headstart.
Keen ? It is only 12 euros and you can register online at Valsport.org.
No kit – Killy Sport has a good deal for competitors.

Yesterday the square in Val Village was  transformed into an exciting cross country track with bumps and banks.
The 15 teams of 2 relayed for 20 minutes.
There were spills and thrills,
before the 24 laps of team Fica put their heads high on the podium,
just 1 lap ahead of les Suzes.
Inspired ? Get fighting fit, mentally and physically for next weeks race.
Many thanks to Borasso and Intersport for lending the necessary kit.

Disappointment for Vals slalom champion
Clement Noël last night
in the World Cup night race in Schladming in Austria.
He was in 6th place after the first run, before an early exit in the second.
BUT Britians Best, Dave Ryding came  16th, just under 2 seconds slower than the Norweigan winner
with our own Laurie Taylor hot on his heels, Bits of seconds
ahead of Val's own Victor Muffat Jeandet.

Cake or two for the village elders today,
as long as they are good students.
The CCAS are hosting a cookery class.
Reblochon cheese tart with salad, rollowed by a orange cake are on the menu.
Sounds yummy.

Finally - Results day for anyone who had
medical tests done during Last Thursday’s
 Annual Health Day.
Or arranged a vaccine.
Come to the  Maison de Val 11.00 - 17.00.
.

The Pelican Society will also be there to help anyone worried that they may be becoming
addicted to alcohol, drugs or tobacco.