Weather
Another beautiful winter's day out there this morning, with the snowfall down to 600m of elevation, bringing another 5-10 cm of snow by tomorrow morning. This is accompanied by light to moderate North-Easterly wind up at altitude getting up to speeds of 40 km/hr. We have a frosty start to the day, at 9 o’clock it’s -5°C in the village, -10.5°C at the top of Bellevarde, and -16°C up at Pisaillas.
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 open on time this morning. The Marmottons is now closed at the bottom. Everything will be open on the snowfront today.
In the Bellevarde sector, the Funicular will open with a slight delay. The Bellevarde Express and Loyes chairlifts, and the bottom sections of the Santons and Joseray have now 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 and the Col d'Iseran.
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
The Val d'Isère Sports Club had their end of season party yesterday on the Savonnette slope under the snowflakes. All of the Club's skiers competed in the last race of the season on a parallel course, ranging from youngsters in the Pré-Club up to international athletes. In all, 18 teams of 6 skiers competed, and after a fierce competition, it was Clément Noël's team which won (our photo).
This race was in fancy dress, and despite the cold, many skiers participated. This year's theme was the letter M, so yesterday there were several Marsupilamis, married people, a pot of mustard, and even an astonishingly realistic Mayor.
A lovely end of season party, finishing up at the Sports Club. Photos can be seen on our website.
This morning we pay tribute to the Vallon gondola which had its last day of operation yesterday. Built in 1982 by the Italian manufacturer Agudio, now part of Pomagalski, the lift was put into service in 1983, and a revolution for the sector at the time.
The gondola made it possible to connect the Fornet cable car (built 10 years earlier) to the Col d'Iseran and the Pisaillas sector, without using a long and uncomfortable drag lift. It allowed you to climb the 470 metres of altitude over 2,700 metres in just over 12 minutes, the Vallon gondola was at the cutting edge at the time.
The gondola was also very sensitive to wind and technical issues were frequent, hence a desire to replace the device with a more modern gondola. After several years of technical, and environmental studies, construction has already started, in order to replace this historic line over the next 8 months. It is another TC10 lift, like those at Solaise and La Daille, promising a lift that's twice as fast.
The race against the clock begins, with a hopeful re-opening at Christmas.
In addition to the Vallon gondola, other ski lifts will end their winter season a little early. This includes the Fornet cable car, the Pyramide chair and the Signal drag lifts. The Pisaillas will be accessible by the Col drag lift, accessible by Solaise via either Leissières, or for expert skiers, by the 3000 lift and the Tunnel slope.
The rest of the ski area continues as normal, without major restrictions.
From today the Radio Val d'Isère program will also change slightly. We join Romuald in the morning show, live every morning from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. until May 5th.
Frédéric will be hosting the après ski live, from 5 - 7 p.m. until April 30th.
- The cinema will be showing 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' 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 10 a.m. - 12 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.
