Val d'Isere Snow Report: 15th January 2016

This has to be one of the best two-week periods of snow that we’ve experienced here for many years and the good news is that it is forecast to continue. It’s a privilege to be here to enjoy it as many people go through life never experiencing this kind of weather.

As for the skiing, on-piste the rocks and ice are a distant memory and the pistes are best first thing before they get bumpy. With the fresh snow they cut up quickly and the best pistes are often the greens and blues because they tend to remain smoother, which in flat light is much more comfortable.

The off-piste has been fantastic although limited. Just after the rain the lower slopes were out of play because the snow was extremely heavy and un-skiable, and at altitude we’ve had too much wind, flat-light, or both. But over the past few days with the colder temperatures the lower slopes have been excellent, which has given us many more options, while the higher altitude skiing hasn’t been possible due to wind. (I must stress that my colleagues and I are skiing gentle slopes where it is physically impossible to avalanche).

The sun made a brief appearance Wednesday afternoon and it was carnage as people went crazy skiing ridiculous slopes. I was extremely disappointed in where people were leaving tracks because it showed ignorance, lack of respect, and just plain stupidity. There were three avalanches here and fortunately no one was killed, but skiers weren’t so lucky in Les Deux Alpes where three skiers died and one is still in serious condition. The Les Deux Alpes avalanche was incredibly sad as it involved a group of school children who were led onto a closed piste.

If you are interested in avalanche awareness and education log on to Henry’s Avalanche Talk. Henry has a snow science degree and gives talks at conferences world-wide and is based here in Val d’Isere. Henry runs on-the-mountain training sessions involving snow science and beeper training and with the high risk that we’re experiencing at the moment now would be the ideal time to check out HAT!

Weather:

• Friday- Sun in Am, cloudy afternoon -12C/-8C winds from the NW at 5 gusting to 55km/h
• Saturday Light snow -13C/-9C Wind from the S at 5 gusting to 40km/h
• Sunday Light snow -14C/-10C Wind from the MW at 5 gusting to 45KM/h
• Monday Partially sunny -18C/-8 Wind from the W at 5km/h

With the colder temperatures over the next few days we should have some fantastic snow quality, both on and off-piste, and a chance of the sun peaking through to light the way.

The avalanche risk remains at 4/5 and anything steeper than 30 degrees should still be considered a ‘no-go’ zone. Have fun but stay safe!

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