Get out early to take advantage of the best conditions on piste, Val d'Isere Region

On Friday we skied the Sachette Couloir in Tignes, which is north facing, and we enjoyed warm but good powder with great ambience. Saturday started out pretty gloomy with Radio Val painting a picture that would have kept most people in bed but the re-freeze was better than expected so we ‘skinned’ to Mont Roup to find some stunning spring snow just as the sun appeared.

We also had a nice wildlife show with Chamois and Perdrix, and that always adds to the atmosphere. Sunday also looked a little miserable with rain in the village but once again it was much better skiing than anticipated and we had some lovely winter snow up high followed by warm snow on a supporting base lower down. On both Saturday and Sunday we benefited from the sun breaking through towards the end of the morning and it made for some wonderful skiing.

The pistes were pretty good as well but must be skied early to make the most of it. Once it warms up the snow becomes sticky and extremely uncomfortable, and to be honest, quite unskiable. It’s fairly dangerous and unsettling when your skis are stopping-and-starting and you’re being thrown about like a cowboy on a bucking bronco. If you are piste skiing this week do your best to get out early and enjoy the pistes at their best, and then treat yourself to lunch!

The weather forecast this week looks like we’ll get a bit of everything. After some more snow Sunday afternoon and evening we should have partially sunny skies Monday morning.

• Monday- Partially sunny AM/snow in the PM  -3C/+3C   Wind from the NW at 5 gusting to 40km/h
• Tuesday- Sunny  -4C/+10C     Wind from the NW at 5km/h
• Wednesday- Sunny    0C/+14C   Wind from the S at 5km/h
• Thursday- Partially sunny  +3C/+12C    Wind from the SE at 5km/h
• Friday- rain    +2C/+9C  Wind from the NW at 5km/h

On Monday we should have some powder skiing up high on the glaciers while the spring slopes should be left alone so that we can benefit from fantastic spring snow with the sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At this time of year skiers and boarders should target only northerly slopes after a snowfall to allow the spring slopes a chance to transform. Proper spring snow is a real treat but all too often the spring slopes are ruined before they are even ready. I wouldn’t worry about rain in the village on Friday because that means snow higher up the mountain.

A few tips for wet-weather skiing:

• Take cable-cars or funiculars from the base station to avoid getting a wet bum on the first chairlift of the day. Once you’re higher up the mountain you should be fine taking chairs.
• On wet days the chairlifts often drip grease that lands on those unsuspecting people sitting on the middle seats, so take the outside seats. (There’s no such thing as friends on a wet-weather day!)
• Wax your skis!
• And don’t forget your sun cream!

Have a brilliant week and look for another update on Friday!

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