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Val d'Isere Snow Report: 11th February 2016

It turned out to be a fantastic week!

featured in Snow report Author Wayne Watson, Val d'Isere Reporter Updated

I feel a bit bad about the depressing forecast on Monday’s post because it really was horrible, but thankfully the forecast was wrong and we’ve ended up with a fantastic week with only one really tough day.

On Monday the forecasted wind wasn’t a factor and with decent light and the odd patch of sunshine we unexpectedly savoured one of the best off-piste mornings of the season up at the Fornet. We went into the day with low expectations so any sort of good result is appreciated, but we also had truly wonderful snow, enough visibility and the entire sector to ourselves. It was fantastic and some people thought it was the best morning skiing they’d ever had!

Tuesday was another ‘bonus’ day as the wind wasn’t too strong and although we didn’t have great visibility we enjoyed another cracking morning at the Fornet. But it all changed Tuesday evening when the forecasted wind finally arrived and winds of 178km/h were clocked on the summit of Bellevarde at 2AM. I walked home from La Daille at 1AM after being at a 50th birthday party and it was fantastic to witness the ferocity of the storm, but I knew then that Wednesday was going to be a tough day.

On Wednesday morning the wind was still blowing hard and gusting between 80 and 120 km/h and with a wind-chill of -25C at altitude it took the Pisteurs quite a while to secure the pistes. The wind finally died down around noon and the resort slowly started to open up but on a limited basis.

Thursday morning rolled around and what a stunning contrast to the day before! The wind had totally disappeared, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and after a day of ‘cabin-fever’ everyone in the resort was out early enjoying the conditions. We had another fantastic morning off-piste, which featured perhaps the best run of the season so far as we were first into the beautifully majestic Tour du Charvet and had perfect powder top-to-bottom. I’ve skied here for 35-years and it really was truly one of those memorable runs!

The avalanche risk on Wednesday was 4/5 and I was a little surprised that the risk dropped to 3/5 Thursday morning, especially after all that wind that transports snow and creates wind plaque. Although the mountain felt fairly stable where we were skiing there were signs of instability elsewhere and the risk for Friday is starting at 3 but rising to 4/5 as the day progresses, so be aware!

Weather: It clouded over around 1:30 PM and is forecast to snow Thursday afternoon and into the night.

  • Friday- Snow -9C/-4C Wind from the NE at 10km/h
  • Saturday- Snow -6C/+1C Wind from the W at 20 gusting to 85km/h
  • Sunday- Snow/Partially sunny -6C/-1C Wind from the S at 5 gusting to 55km/h
  • Monday- Snow/Partially sunny -8C/-2C Wind from the N at 5km/h

Saturday and Sunday may be tough days but don’t worry as the forecast for this past week was dreadful and we ended up with a couple of the best days of the season. Have a fantastic weekend!

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