Weather
Colder temperatures have brought snowfall overnight in the village, with 20cm of fresh snow in town this morning. The precipitation has calmed down with the sunshine likely to return around lunch. As for temperatures, at 9:30 a.m. have -4 degrees in town and a chilly -14 up at Pisaillas. Today we can expect a maximum of -2 degrees at 2000m.
Roads
Poor conditions can be expected on the roads this morning, chains are mandatory for all vehicles. The chain bay at La Raie has been opened.
Ski Report
After 30 cm of fresh snow up high, an avalanche control program is underway this morning covering all sectors of the ski area. Please respect all closures in place. A progressive opening of the ski lifts can be expected, with the situation evolving over the course of the day.
The Pisaillas area is not currently open for skiing, with a chance it will open later this afternoon. In the Fornet sector, currently the Fornet cable car is open to the public, with the Vallon gondola to open up shortly. Mangard is open, permitting skiing down to the Fornet village.
Over on Solaise, the Glacier and Leissiere chairlifts are still a work in progress, with all other lifts open apart from 3000, Manchet and Cugnai. Currently on the snowfront, the Savonette is the only lift in operation.
The Bellevarde area will have a variety of skiing open today to the public. Notably, the Face de Bellevarde will be closed to the public, as it is in preparation for the World Cup races. Otherwise the Funicular, Olympique cable car and La Daille gondola are currently open, with Marmottes, Fountaine Froide and Grand Pre to follow shortly.
Cross country skiers and pedestrians can head out to the Manchet valley, along the summer road up to the waterfall. The Pont St. Charles walking trail is currently closed due to avalanche danger.
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.
News
Let's go for the 2023-20234 winter season! Now open until May 5th, 154 days of sliding around in the snow await us. It is a strong start with significant snow cover, over a meter at the summit. We have to go back to 2019 to find such coverage at the start of the season. The rapid snowfall over the last couple of days now requires avalanche control before the gates can open to the public. Following this,almost the entire ski area awaits the 1,200 skiers registered for the Premières Traces weekend.Top to bottom runs will be open in all sectors of the ski area. However, the Face de Bellevarde remains closed, due to preparation for the Critérium de la Première Neige.
The opening weekend would not be complete without the Premières Traces demo village. 35 brands of skis, snowboards and accessories are present to show off their latest new products for free.
New this year, is the official inauguration hosted by Mayor Patrick Martin at 9 a.m., at the foot of the Solaise gondola. At the end of the day, festivities continue in the center of the village with vin chaud and a raffle. Then finally at 8 o'clock, several snow sports films will be played at the Centre of Congress, including 'Alpine Park', filmed in Val d'Isère at the end of last winter with the reigning Olympic slalom champion Clément Noël.
Today also marks the start of the season for the Club des Sports this morning. Pré club races begin, where the young people, our future champions, are expected at 9 a.m. on the snow front for their first session of the winter.
In other news, last night played host to the Sainte Barbe ceremony for the firefighters of Tignes and Val d'Isère in Tignes les Boisses. A very formal ceremony taking place in the SAF hangar this year, due to the weather conditions. Numerous medals were presented including medals of seniority. Firstly, the gold level firefighter medal of honor was awarded to Pascal Lestoux for 30 years of service.
Silver medals for 20 years of service were presented to Cyrille Morand, Pauline Vorger, Sabrina Blanvillain. Charlotte Brosetti, Isabelle Mye also received honours, and promotions were granted for Cyrille Morand, Damien Gagneur, Sabrina Blanvillain, Marc Tourscher, Damien Moreau, Robert Vuillermet, Cécile Cassard, Maxime Boyer and Capucine Veille.
Last but not least, Naim Zeraoula and Evan le Moue received their helmets, attesting to the end of their initial training and their promotion to the 1st class rank. Photos to see on our website.
Despite being installed since the 6th of November, the christmas tree at the Tourist Office roundabout will be inaugurated this evening at 6 p.m. in the presence of Patrick Martin, mayor of Val d'Isère.
Premières Traces
To celebrate the opening of the ski area, 35 brands of skis, snowboards and equipment are showing you their new equipment free of charge. To be able to participate in these tests, register on the snowfront. Don’t forget to come with your ski/snowboard boots and poles and bring two forms of ID.
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Discovery of the area with ESF instructors on skis or snowboards and depending on your level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). These supports are only open to people registered as part of the Premières Traces weekend.
- 4:45 p.m.: Tasting of mulled wine with music in the Tourism Office square.
- 5:30 p.m.: Raffle: if you participated in the tests you have a chance to win a multitude of prizes.
- 6 p.m.: Official lighting of the Christmas tree by the Mayor of Val d'Isère, Mr. Patrick Martin.
- 6:05 p.m.: Moon Light concert on the Tourist Office square: An eclectic mix of live pop, rock and funk covers.
- 8 p.m.: Winter films at the Centre of Congress including 'Alpine Park', filmed in Val d'Isère at the end of last winter with the reigning Olympic slalom champion Clément Noël, supported by the Val d'Isère Sports Club.
- The Red Shuttle will be circulating between la Daille and the Fornet every 6 minutes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and then every 20 minutes until 2 a.m.
- The Yellow shuttle, up to the Manchet Valley, leaves every 15 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 11:20 p.m.
- The Blue shuttle will be going up to the Legattaz 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 the central bus station at 7:50 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 4:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m. and 6:15 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 Tourism Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The Aqua Leisure complex is open from 10 a.m. To 9 p.m.
- Matt and his team welcome you today at the Casa Scara.
- This whole season Brigitte and her team are happy to welcome you today at Signal, at the top of the Fornet cable car. Reservations are not necessary.
