English Weather, News, Ski Report - April 20, 2024

WEATHER

Forget that it is the 20th April, we have winter weather !
Dress appropriately !
Don't forget your neck warmer and face covering,
20 centimetres more snow last night, and snowing again as I type this at 10 30.
This afternoon we may have some clear areas in the sky.
Sadly the wind is spoiling some of our fun,
blowing at up to 90 km/hour,
particularly on the Pisaillas glacier where it hit 150 km/h during the night,
but even on Bellevarde it is gusting at more than 40 km/h.   
At 09.30 the temperature is

• -2° in the Village.
  
• -8° on Solaise.
  
• -10°  on Bellevarde.
  
• -13° on Pisaillas.
  

The maximum temperature at 2000 metres will be -2°.

ROADS

Despite the snow on the roads, properly equipped cars with careful drivers shouldn't have a problem.

SKI REPORT

Most lifts and pistes were due to open but
there has been plenty of new snow and wind over the last few days
so there has been a delay safely opening the lifts
to allow the ski patrollers time to complete the procedures
which protect our pistes and village from avalanche prone slopes. (“PIDA”)

The lifts that were open by 10.30 :

Everything on the nursery slope.

ON BELLEVARDE
Everything is open except :
Loyes, Marmottes and Borsat chairlifts
And the Funival – though this should open shortly.

ON SOLAISE
Everything is open except :
Leissiere and Cugnai  chairlifts
3000 draglift

IN LE FORNET
Only the
Cable car and Pyramid chairlift are open.

ON PISAILLAS
Nothing has yet opened.

The above may have all changed by the time you read this page.
Always check with the electronic noticeboards when you are out.

The snow on lower areas is thinning out
 so the following are closed

• Brinzei touring track
• The lower parts of the:
• Marmottons
• Signal
• Epaule du charvet
  
  

The following may either not open, or close early
due to the high risk of avalanche.

• L
• Santons
• Vallon
• Combe du Geant
  

Runs are always open when it is safe to play on them.
Don’t ski down a closed run !

There is training this morning
on the upper parts of the Orange and OK

The Boarder Cross will be closed.

Most pistes were groomed overnight, but it has snowed since then.
Fresh snow on a smooth base is great for most of us,
but definitely more "complicated" for beginners.
Take it easy, and if you are getting tired, take the lift down.

The following were not groomed :

AT LE FORNET

• Fôret
• Signal
  
• Tunnel
  
• Petit Bois
  

ON SOLAISE

• 3000
• Cugnai
• Rhône- Alpes
• S
  
  

Everything was groomed on Pisaillas,
but it may be tricky getting there today.

Tignes can be accessed via the Tommeuses now,
and the Borsat chairlift when it opens.

The avalanche risk today has risen to a significant 3 out of 5.

Before skiing off piste today,  consider :

• Poor visibility
• New snow
• Wind
• Slabs
• Rocks
  

Only ski with people who are fully equipped,
both  brain and kit,
to help you in an emergency.
Maybe book to ski with a mountain guide as they
definitely know what they are doing.

Cross country skiers can enjoy the tracks

• In the Manchet
• Lac Ouillette
  
  

All our walking paths are open except for

• Les Branges
  
• Joseray
  
• Laisinant
  
• Col de L'Iseran
  
  

LOCAL NEWS

Already, the penultimate week of the season.
The season seems so long when we start early December, then flies by.
More school holidays, including local, but the Parisians are heading home.  
Many own property here, so although the official figures for the occupancy
this week are the same as for the last 7 days,
it is likely to be even more peaceful, as these figures don't include private residences.

Congratulations to the French Ski School's (ESF) Charlène Magnin
who coaches the under 12's in our Sports Club. (Club des Sport).
Yesterday she won the womens instructors challenge in La Plagne, and
Val d'isère's team came 2nd.
Good luck to all our local instructors competiting in the finals.

The road between le Fornet and Pont St Charles has opened to traffic,
and the lift company is providing a free shuttle bus
every 30 minutes from 10.00 - 15.00.
This has been cleared earlier than usual, in preparation   
for the work replacing the bubble lift in le Fornet.
They start removing the snow between Pont St Charles and the top of the Cable car tomorrow.
Even more of a challenge if it keeps snowing !

Maxence Cavalade's Speed Riding World Record attempt was once again thwarted !
He was on track to achieve his goal,
but after 38 descents,
the wind made it too dangerous
to complete the final 22.