Weather
The mountains remain engulfed in cloud, while the snowflakes continue to fall this morning. It will snow on and off throughout the day, coming down a little heavier this afternoon. The snow-rain limit will sit down at around 900m, and we are expecting an additional 15cm of snow. A light North-Westerly wind continues to roll across the mountains, currently gusting up to 10 km/hr at Pisaillas.
Another chilly morning out there, at 9 o'clock it is -4°C in the village, and -10°C at the top of Bellevarde, and -15°C up at Pisaillas. Similar temperatures again today, expecting a top of -4°C at 2000m.
Roads
Despite the light snowfall, no difficulties are expected for vehicles travelling on the local roads today.
Ski Report
As we come into the end of season, the ski area will gradually be closing. Please respect all signage and closures in place, as they exist for your safety.
The Pisaillas area will be open for skiing today, with all runs and lifts open to the public. The sector is accessed via the Col drag lift, accessible by Solaise via either Leissières, or for expert skiers, by the 3000 lift and the Tunnel slope.
The Fornet sector is now closed for the season, and access is forbidden to all skiers, as heavy machinery will be working in the area.
Over on Solaise, all lifts will be open, however the 3000 drag lift will open with a slight delay. The Marmottons is now closed at the bottom. Everything will be open on the snowfront today.
In the Bellevarde sector, the Bellevarde Express, Loyes, and Lanches lifts have now closed for the season. The bottom sections of the Santons, Joseray, and Diebold have also 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, Joseray, and the Col d'Iseran. Both ski touring trails are now closed to the public.
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
All week long, the focus is on the RedBull Alpine Park, an event taking place this weekend in the Bellevarde sector, beside the Piste Verte. This is a new kind of parallel slalom, where skiers will have to negotiate a series of modules, jumps, race gates, banked turns and even snow tunnels. Preparation takes a lot of work and the shapers have been on site for over a week now creating this original course.
The weather doesn't help, but the entire upper part of the route, the most technical portion, is ready and the first tests and training began yesterday. Clément Noël, supported by the Val d'Isère Sports Club, is hosting this event and tried out this freshly covered track yesterday.
The Radio Val team were able to witness these first descents, and first jumps first-hand, while Clément gave a long interview to introduce us to the Alpine Park. The video interview can be found on the website, in French.
This event is open to the public, while bringing together the best of French and international alpine skiers.
The ESF of Val d'Isère held its general assembly meeting last night at the Centre of Congress. A meeting which began with a minute of silence in tribute to the instructors who left us this year: Firmin Mattis, Patricia Goitschel and Joel Usanaz. The positive results of the Ski Instructor Challenges were also announced.
In addition to those of Charlène Magnin and the Grand Final which we mentioned this weekend, it is worth noting that Nicolas Vuillermoz, 4th in the Ski cross, was racing alongside Olympic champions of the discipline.
In addition; Noé Casci was 2nd in the trainee final, Steph Mongelaz was 3rd in the VH4, Antoine Bois was 4th in the trainee final, and Marie Pierre Blanc placed 3rd in the ladies 5 category. With these results, the ESF of Val d'Isère came in at 6th place in the overall rankings of the ESF.
Regarding the review of the season, the winter was exceptional for the school, beating its previous record for teaching hours provided by more than 6,000, for a total of 122,000 hours of lessons provided.
The village seniors will meet up at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon in the Municipal Council room. Getting together for afternoon tea, the elderly will have the chance to discuss the CCAS's future projects.
- Val'athlon: Come sharpen your sense of direction and reflection during a beautiful day of games and activities: waiter race, snow mountain biking, quiz, Trikke ski, lap around the Lac d'Ouillette on snowshoes, local product tastings, electric snowmobiling, biathlon, mountaineering, intro to log sawing, and transceiver search. Open and accessible to everyone, allow 2.5 hours for the complete loop. Departures between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and registrations can be made in the Val Village.
- 2 p.m. Virtual reality session: Do you want to fly like an eagle? Face the clone army from your ship in the Star Wars universe? These are some of the activities that the Media Library offers through virtual reality! Reserve by telephone on 04 79 06 29 20.
- The cinema will be showing 'Civil War' at 8:30 p.m.
- The Tourism Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- The Aqua Leisure complex is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The Vie Val d'Is is open from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and then 3 - 6 p.m.
- The Media Library is open between 2 - 6 p.m.
- The Bookings centre is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Post Office is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and then 2 – 5:30 p.m.
- The Town Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 2 – 6 p.m.
- The Red Shuttle will be circulating between La Daille and the Fornet every 6 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and then every 20 minutes until 2 a.m.
- A free shuttle runs between the Pont St Charles and the Fornet, every half hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The Yellow shuttle, up to the Manchet Valley, leaves every 20 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 11:20 p.m.
- The Blue shuttle going up to the Legattaz is every 15 minutes between 8:30 a.m and 11:20 p.m.
- The free shuttle between Tignes and Val d'Isère runs 6 times a day :
Departures from La Daille at 7:55 a.m. 8:35 a.m. 10:50 a.m. 4:25 p.m. 5:25 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.
Departure from Tignes 1800 at 8:05 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 11 a.m. 4:35 p.m. 5:35 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
- The end of season clearance is happening now at Cash2000. Many frozen products and groceries are 50% off. Lots of drinks: beer, juice and soft drinks; at only 25 cents each. Store open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Last day of opening: Friday May 3rd.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health.
- This Saturday April 27th, don't miss the closing of the la Savoyarde Hôtel. Enjoy their spring buffet accompanied by a musical group at the bar until midnight.
- At the POYA restaurant cocktail bar, every day is Buy one, get one free! From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. treat yourself!