If the stars were absent from the sky this morning, it was not due to the clouds, but rather to the lighting of the Face de Bellevarde. The night was finally clear, proving wrong the forecasts predicting a few snowflakes. The clouds being absent, the temperatures dropped several degrees, at 6:30 this morning we noted -10 at Pisaillas and -8 in the resort. As the day moves on, we expect a maximum of 2 degrees.
Winds are averaging 4 kmh with maximums at 15. More snowfall will arrive this afternoon.
Roads: No problems for vehicles equipped with snow tires. Roads service agents scraped the sidewalks and pedestrian areas at the end of the night to remove the ice, thus creating safer conditions for pedestrians later in the day.
Ski Report
The Pisaillas area will open to the public, with the majority of runs expected to open apart from the Combe du Geant and the Cascade. In the Fornet sector, the following runs will be open today; Col, Pont Abatte, Pre-Chemin and the bottom section of the Pyramid run. Mangard is also open, taking you down to the Fornet village.
Over on Solaise, everything is open except for the Madeleine, Aiglon, Col, Marmottons, and Juniors.
The Bellevarde area will have pistes open as accessible by the Funival and Marmottes Gondolas.
Cross country skiers and pedestrians can head out to the Manchet valley, along the summer road up to the waterfall. The pedestrian walking at the Pont St. Charles is also open today.
The avalanche risk is 2/5 today. Always ski with a partner, have the appropriate gear and know how to use it, and if in doubt hire a guide.
The snow ultimately did not disrupt the final preparations for the Critérium de la Première Neige. Monitors, trackers, volunteers had prepared for the worst, some were at the foot of the Face de Bellevarde from 4 a.m. At 6 a.m. good humor reigned on the snow front, with the certainty that the day's race would be able to go ahead.
On site the ski team were not idle, continuing their rotations to smooth the last ridges of snow on the Face de Bellevarde. Thanks to their final finishing touches, images of Val d'Isère broadcast today throughout the world will be beautiful.
After the opening ceremony last night, we're on for the 68th edition of the Critérium de la Première Neige. The first event of this weekend will be the Giant Slalom. 71 racers from 21 different nations will set off on a track that has been prepared perfectly for over a week. The first round starts at 9:30 a.m, then the top 30 will compete in the second round at 1 p.m. The first to start will be the Swiss Loïc Meillard, ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen and Marco Odermatt. 6 French skiers start, including Alexis Pinturault, bib 6. Victor Muffat Jeandet, supported by the Val d'Isère Sports Club, will start in 25th position. This is the first Giant of the season after the cancellation of Solden. Many other races were canceled and the only race run this season for the men was the Gurgl slalom three weeks ago. Skiers are thus eager to do battle.
Spectators can go to the fan zone to watch the races, the entry ticket is €10. If you are unable to travel, commentary on the finish racket will be broadcast live on Radio Val d'Isère for the first and second rounds, thanks to the Double Clic service.
The best skiers of the day will be rewarded this evening starting at 6:15 p.m. on Olympic Avenue during the official ceremony, before the bib draw for the slalom event which will take place tomorrow.
Agenda:
-The Tourist Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
-The aqua sports center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-The ice rink is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Carole, Sébastien and their staff are opening the doors of Etincelle to you this evening, remember to reserve your table!
Critérium de la Première Neige
8:30 a.m. – Opening of the Critérium village
9:30 a.m. – Start 1st round
1:00 p.m. – Start of 2nd round Top 30
2:00 p.m. – Flower ceremony – Arrival racket
Awards ceremony - Géant Men
Val d'Isère rewards its champions in the resort center from 5:30 p.m., find an area reserved for pedestrians (Avenue Olympique) where we will discover the podium of the Giant Slalom mens.
Criterium Program :
• From 5:30 p.m.: Street show (Avenue Olympique), DJ Loran and cheerleaders (podium on Avenue Olympique)
• From 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Signature session with Rossignol athletes.
• 6:15 p.m.: Men’s Giant awards ceremony (podium on avenue Olympique)
• 6:30 p.m.: Public drawing of Men’s Slalom bibs (podium on Avenue Olympique)
Closure of Avenue Olympique between the 2 roundabouts from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Telethon: organized by the Val d’Isère firefighters association. On the program, sale of hot drinks, crepes and Telethon products, all funds raised will be donated to the Telethon association. From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
-The red train runs from La Daille to Fornet via the slopes roundabout every 6 minutes, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. then every 20 minutes until 2 a.m.
-The blue train goes up to Legettaz every 15 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 11:20 p.m.
-The yellow train takes you to the Manchet valley via rue de la Balme, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:20 p.m. every 20 minutes
-The Val Tignes shuttle runs between our two resorts. 6 round trips per day, departing from La Daille: 7:55 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 10:50 a.m., 4:25 p.m., 5:25 p.m., 6:20 p.m. Departing from Tignes 1800: 8:05 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11 a.m.; 4:35 p.m., 5:35 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
