English Weather, News, Ski Report - April 15, 2024

Weather

Change of pace today with overcast and cloudy conditions, with periods of light precipitation throughout the day. The snow-rain limit will sit quite high, around 2700m, but will thankfully drop down to around 1500m tonight. By tomorrow morning, 5-10 cm of snow is possible above treeline. Moderate to strong winds will be present across the mountains, getting up to speeds of 80 km/hr at altitude. For the moment in the Pisaillas area, it's gusting up to 50 km/hr.
As for temperatures, we currently have 6°C in the village, 4°C at the top of Bellevarde, and 0.5°C up at Pisaillas. Cooler temperatures are expected out there today, looking at a top of 6°C at 2000 m.

Roads

No difficulties are expected for vehicles travelling on the local roads today.

Ski Report

As we head into spring, some runs will close throughout the day due to rising avalanche danger with the current weather conditions.

The Pisaillas and Fornet sectors will be opening to the public today, all lifts and runs are expected to open. The bottom section of the Signal run is now closed, and the Combe du Geant may close due to avalanche danger.

Over on Solaise, all lifts will open on time this morning, however the Piste L will not open today, and the Marmottons is now closed at the bottom. Everything will be open on the snowfront today.

In the Bellevarde sector, the top portion of the OK and Orange runs will be reserved for racign this morning, and will re-open to the public afterwards. The Bottom of the Santons and joseray have now closed for the season. Skiing in Tignes can be accessed via the Tommeuse or Borsat lifts.

Cross Country skiers can choose between the ski loops in the Manchet Valley and the Lac de l'Ouillette. Pedestrians can head out to any of our trails today, apart from the Branges, and the Col d'Iseran.

The avalanche risk is 3/5 today. Always ski with a partner, have the appropriate gear and know how to use it, and if in doubt hire a guide.

Local News

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Goitschel last Friday, at the age of 77. Lesser known than her sisters Christine and Marielle, the youngest was no less of a great skier, notably winning the title of French junior slalom championship in 1964.
After her sporting career, the local became a ski instructor, before launching into the restaurant business, creating the Goitschel Lodge, today simply called the Lodge, in the family chalet. It is to her, alongside other establishments in the village, that we owe the tradition of our beautiful local restaurants. For 20 years, Patricia embodied the warm welcome and the taste for sharing that characterises our village. Today we join her loved ones in grief, in particular that of her three children, Olivia, Julie and Robin.
The funeral will take place on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Bron crematorium.

Fire yesterday afternoon on the Daille plain, in the south facing larch forest A beehive had caught alight, the origin of the fire remains unknown. High flames and an explosion before the firefighters brought the outbreak under control. The beehive and adjoining cabin were destroyed, and no injuries were reported.

Today is the official opening ceremony of the 27th edition of the Adventure and Discovery Festival, taking place this evening at the Congress Center. Between now and Thursday, 11 Adventure films will be shown at the Congress Center as well as at the Splendid cinema. Films that will take us around the world; we will go stargazing in South America, we will dive with whales in the Indian Ocean, we will BASE jump from the mountains of Pakistan, and so much more.
We will be lead by our master of ceremonies Sylvain Tesson accompanied by four jurors, the director Priscilla Telmon, the columnist Ingrid Pohu, the mountaineer Benjamin Vedrines, and Jean Marc Barr (who notably played Jacques Mayol in 1988 in Luc's Grand Bleu Besson) as president of the Jury. The opening ceremony is at 5 p.m. this evening with the broadcast of 'Rio Blanco' by Nouria Newman, the local professional athlete. This opening ceremony is free and there is no need to register in advance.
In the competition this evening, at 6 p.m.is “Always Alive”, a 35-minute film where the athlete Hillary Gerardi attempts a legendary race, the round trip between the church of Chamonix and the summit of Mont Blanc. “Sunny Boy” will follow at 7:15 p.m., freediver Arthur Guérin-Boëri takes us with him diving in Finnish lakes. Finally at 9 p.m. “Al Quimma”, a 52-minute film that follows Moroccan Bouchra Baibanoul in her quest to climb the seven highest peaks on the planet.
To watch the various films, seats in the auditorium as well as in the cinema are subject to payment, tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Office. The films are also broadcast for free in the other rooms of the Congress centre, and can be watched for free online.
Two passes are also up for grabs every day on Radio Val d'Isère during the morning show.

Originally scheduled for today, Maxence Cavalade's speed riding record attempt has been cancelled. The weather forecast is too gloomy for Maxence to beat his current world record, established in 2019. The attempt has been postponed until Wednesday.

The CCAS invited the village elders yesterday afternoon to lunch at the Barmes de l'Ours. The senior Avalins were there for this convivial meal, composed of a buffet of starters, tender beef cheek accompanied by creamy polenta, and a dessert buffet for those with a sweet tooth. Last service of the season for the Barmes de l'Ours team, the kitchen brigade and chef Antoine Gras received a big round of applause at the end of the meal.
Several officials were also present including Mayor Patrick Martin who said a few words. The deputy for our constituency Vincent Rolland, accompanied by Cécile Uille Grand, departmental councillor were also present for this moment, photos to be seen on our website.

Explosions could be heard locally yesterday late afternoon, linked to a Helicopter avalanche control mission. Ski Patrol were preemptively triggering avalanches between the Col de l'Iseran road and the Mangard, in preparation to clear the summer roads, which is set to begin next week as part of the Vallon gondola renovation.