English News, Weather and Daily Events - February 4, 2026

Weather

The sky will be bright this morning however during the day, a relatively thick veil of cloud will be present with  light snowfall of up to 1 to 3 cm expected The wind is blowing from the southeast at altitude, and the foehn wind will continue throughout the day in exposed valleys.

Currently at 8am it is  -12°C up at the Pisaillas, -8°C at the top of Bellevarde, -6 degrees up on solaise and -2°C here in town. Today we can expect a top of 1°C in the village.

Roads

The roads are clear.

Local News

Gérard Mattis

Yesterday morning, 500 people came to bid a final farewell to Gérard Mattis, an iconic figure in Val d'Isère, at the Church of Saint-Bernard in Menthon. The instructors from the Mattis Ski Schools formed a guard of honor to welcome Gérard Mattis's coffin, which fell in a few snowflakes, to the church entrance. Officiated by Father Mario, the funeral service was filled with tributes and emotion from his family, including his daughter Audrey, his granddaughters Cerise and Clémentine, his nephews Renaud and Xavier, and from his village, represented by former Director of the Tourist Office Michel Giraudy and his lifelong friend Patrick Chevallot. His profession, represented by Paul Andrieux and Pierre Gogin, highlighted his dedication and professionalism through his work in mountain sports shops. Before the religious hymns and prayers began, the coaching team from the Mattis Ski Schools, including Michel Bonnevie, spoke of their passion and love for sharing and passing on their love of skiing. At the end of the ceremony, his daughter Audrey addressed the gathering to thank everyone present, and especially the caregivers, nurses, and medical staff who cared for Gérard Mattis until his last breath. Donations collected during the service will be shared between the parish and research into neurodegenerative diseases. Under a magnificent ray of sunshine, the ESF (French Ski School) instructors formed a large guard of honor with torches to accompany Gérard Mattis's coffin as it was carried to the hearse. Gérard Mattis will be laid to rest in the Séez cemetery.

Friends' Descent

Ski instructors and all mountain professionals will pay tribute to their friends who have died in the mountains during the Friends' Descent organized this evening. This memorial has been a tradition for over 30 years, as Julien, a ski instructor and organizer of the "Friends' Descent," explains. The "Friends' Descent" will take place on the Bellevarde Face. Mountain professionals are invited to take the Olympic gondola from 5:00 PM for a pre-dinner drink and appetizer. Participants will set off around 7:00 PM, accompanied by a fireworks display, and will observe a minute of silence for those who have died in the mountains before descending the Face with torches. The evening will continue at a seasonal bar with a second pre-dinner drink and a live concert. Last year, 160 people participated in the "Friends' Descent."

Census Registration

Final stretch for the census. To allow for the census, which ends on Saturday, February 14th, registration sessions are being held at the town hall until this deadline. These sessions are held every day from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. As a reminder, the census helps us better understand the population in order to adapt services such as schools, transportation, facilities, and housing.

Cross-country skiing

The nighttime cross-country ski race is tonight at Place des Dolomites. In pairs, participants will tackle a loop with bumps and banked turns, specially prepared for the occasion by the Ski Patrol. It's a fun and friendly race where families and friends can challenge the instructors and locals. For 20 minutes, participants will have to complete as many laps as possible in an American-style relay to reach the podium and win numerous prizes. Equipment will be provided by the rental shops at Place des Dolomites, and hot drinks will be offered. Registration will take place on-site at 6:00 PM before the race starts at 6:30 PM.