Weather
Today will play host to another stormy episode, with light precipitation possible all day long, and into the night. The snow-rain limit will hover around 1000m, with up to 30 cm of snow possible by tomorrow morning. A light to moderate North-Westerly wind will be present across the mountains, currently at Pisaillas it's gusting upto 15 km/hr.
As for temperatures, at 9 o’clock it's -1°C in the village, -5°C at the top of Solaise and -10°C at Pisaillas. Cooler temperatures out there today, with a top of 0°C at 2000m.
Roads
Yesterday's restrictions for pedestrians have now been lifted for pedestrians. There is a thin layer of snow on the roads this morning, although no issues are expected for vehicles equipped with winter tyres.
Ski Report
A progressive return to normal across the ski area, with light snowfall and flat light expected across the ski area today. Please respect all closures as they exist for your safety.
The Pisaillas sector will re-open to the public today, initially with the following runs ; Cascade, Moraine, Pisaillas, Lac Cema and Pays Desert. The Montet drag lift and its corresponding runs will remain closed.
In the Fornet sector, the majority of the terrain will be open today. The Signal lift will stay closed, and the Leissieres and Col lifts will open with a slight delay.
Over on Solaise, all lifts will be open today, with the exception of the 3000 and Cugnai lifts. Piste L should re-open today to the public. The snowfront will be open without restriction.
In the Bellevarde sector, the Mont Blanc chairlift will be closed today, while all other lifts will be open. The top portions of the OK and Orange, and the Raye will be reserved for racing, and will re-open to the public afterwards. The Expert Border Cross will be closed.
Cross Country skiers and Pedestrians can head out to almost all of our trails today, apart from the Branges. The large loop at the Lac d'Ouillette was not groomed overnight.
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
A consequence of yesterday's storm and the significant snowfall, a large avalanche occurred yesterday morning at Le Fornet, triggered by ski patrol. Starting from the CATEX du Grand Plan, the debris reached the Isère river, destroying several hundred trees in its path in the Fornet forest (our photo). An avalanche has never run at this size in the location. Plenty of other significant avalanche activity yesterday, where the risk was 4/5.
Ski Patrol had recorded accumulations of 70cm at the arrival of the Fornet cable car, and up to 130cm at Pisaillas. The Pisaillas area remained closed to the public all day yesterday, it should reopen today.
The avalanche cycle is not yet over, great caution should be used again today, as the risk remains high.
Another result of the storm was the necessary restoration of the various ski lifts across the ski area. Val d'Isère Téléphériques employees had a lot of work to do, clearing snow to get the lifts operational, creating some delays yesterday morning.
A notable delay was the Olympique cable car which reopened to skiers mid-morning, the cable had derailed at the first pylon. The team had to wait until the avalanche control was completed, before climbing the pylon and putting the cable back on track.
At the end of the day yesterday, the STVI team also had to intervene on the Mont Blanc chairlift. A breakdown of the device required a vertical evacuation, lowering the 64 skiers stuck on the line by rope. The evacuation started around 5 p.m. and ended an hour and forty hours later.
A total of 25 rope access technicians from Val d'Isère Téléphériques, as well as 8 from STGM who came to lend a hand, were mobilised and the operation went well.
Ski patrollers were also present at the foot of the chairlift and skiers coming from Tignes were safely returned home.
The Mont Blanc will be required to stay closed for several days.
New record for brevity yesterday for the March Municipal Council meeting. The 16 elected officials present discussed the 11 points on the agenda in 30 minutes, including the two points concerning construction in the 'Zone du Coin', a subject which did not generate debate.
Elected officials voted for a memorandum of understanding with the developer, SAS Val 2030. The construction of a hotel and an adjoining building, with a surface area of 6,700 m², is proposed to replace the current Garage building.
This project is a half measure compared to the initial proposal in 2012; which included a bus station, day care, and accommodation, totalling over 24,000m². With a surface area four times smaller the financial balance took a long time to find, and the agreement almost did not go ahead, announced Pierre Cerboneschi.
A public inquiry will begin soon in order to collect everyone's opinions on the exit from this project, and a definitive end could be voted on at the April Municipal Council. This will allow the launch of another project, which has been blocked for years.
May the force be with you, last torchlight descent this evening, with La Daille and the OK piste in the spotlight. Torchlight descent of ESF instructors and children from 7:15 p.m. a minimum of a bronze star level is required. At the bottom, a spectacle and fireworks will accompany this descent.
A show on the theme of Star Wars, called 'Return of Je-Daille' with DJ show, dancers and performers on the snow front of La Daille.
- 10 a.m. Nature as an open book: Observation of mountain wildlife with Steve, equipped with a telescope and books from the media library. Binoculars can be borrowed. Meet up in front of the media library.
- 7:15 p.m.: The return of Je-Daille: The avalin empire awaits you on the dark side of the village. A "Star Wars" show mixing DJs, performers and fireworks, without forgetting the torchlight descent on the OK slope with ESF instructors, open to all (minimum Bronze star level), and local hot drinks served on the snow front of La Daille.
- 8 p.m.: Games evening at the media library: Following the same principle as an escape game, discover the world of investigation games. Unlock, Micro Macro, Break in Chichen Itza, Hidden Games… Solve the puzzles, find the solution and emerge alive from these epic adventures! To share with family or friends! All audiences (from 8 years old) By reservation by: telephone: 04 79 06 29 20 or by email: mediatheque@valdisere.fr
- The ice skating rink will be open from 2 p.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 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.
- 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.
