Weather
After an overcast start to the morning, a partially clear sky is predicted through the middle of the day, with a new storm front arriving from the West this afternoon. A Moderate North-Westerly wind will be present at altitude, averaging 60 km/hr. However, the wind is much stronger for the moment with a gust of 140 km/hr in the last 10 mins at Pisaillas. At 9:30 a.m. temperatures are measuring -1° degree in the village, -6° up on Solaise, and -10° up in the Pisaillas area. Today we can expect a top of +2 degrees at 2000m.
Roads
The roads are mostly clear and dry this morning, vehicles equipped with snow tyres will have no difficulties today.
Ski Report
An Avalanche Control program has been in progress since 6:50 a.m. this morning. Ski patrol are securing the ski area after yesterday's snowfall. Delays are to be expected in certain areas. Some lifts will be put on wind hold until later in the day.
As of 9:30 the situation is as follows :
The Pisaillas and Fornet sectors will not open to the public today, due to the current weather conditions.
Over on Solaise, the majority of lifts are predicted to open later this morning, with a slight delay. However, the Cugnai and Manchet lifts will remain closed. Currently on the snowfront, the Savonette is the only lift in operation.
The Bellevarde area will host various closures due to the World cup races, including the Face de Bellevarde and Joseray, and portions of the OK and Orange slopes. Currently only the Funicular and Olympique cable car is open to the public. Access to Tignes will be possible today via the Tommeuses chairlift.
Cross country skiers and pedestrians can head out to the Manchet valley, along the summer road up to the waterfall. Pedestrians can also take the walking path up to the Fornet. The Pont St. Charles walking path will be closed today 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
Drastic change in atmosphere this morning on the Face de Bellevarde. The collective optimism that reigned yesterday morning has been hushed by the weather conditions overnight,which are far from ideal for today's slalom event. The precipitation, a mixture of rain and snow, has damaged the course and its icy base. As a result, the Men's slalom event has been cancelled.
Nearly 5,000 spectators were found across the stands, VIP areas and the fan zone, gathered at the bottom of the Face de Bellevarde, for the first event of the World Cup weekend. The majority of the public arrived for the start of the second heat, the snowfall at the beginning of the afternoon not enough to keep the crowds at home. The vast majority of the enthusiastic crowd was French, even if a few Swiss fan clubs also made the trip.
As for results, Marco Odermatt took out the win. The Face of Bellevarde seems to be no challenge for the Swissman, who also won the trophy in both 2022 and 2021. The Swiss finished almost a second behind his Austrian rival Marco Schwarz. The surprise of the day comes from Joan Verdu, in 3rd, who has obtained the first World Cup podium for his country, Andorra.
Apart from the sporting exploits, reinforced security was present yesterday on site, with anti-terrorism measures at their maximum level. One reason was due to threats of a protest from environmental activists at the finish line, as was the case three weeks ago, in Austria. No action was attempted on Saturday, but the organizers remain vigilant today.
Numerous red armbands were also spotted in the crowd, with the words "#JOVal2030", in support for Val d'Isère hosting the alpine skiing events for the 2030 Olympic games. Armbands mainly worn in the VIP zones, a little less in the fan zone .
Due to difficult weather conditions overnight, today's Criterium de la Premiére Neige Men's slalom event has been cancelled.
- 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 ice skating rink will be open from 10 a.m. - 8 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 Bookings centre is open from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and then 2 – 6 p.m.
