Weather
What a fantastic way to start the month of April! Overcast skies and heavy snowfall to start the day, with at least 8 cm of fresh snow so far in town this morning. Conditions are going to generally calm down and clear up after lunchtime. Moderate to Strong Southerly winds will be present across our mountains today, getting up to speeds of 40-50 km/hr.
As for the temperature, at 9 a.m. it is -1°C in the village, -6.5°C at the top of Bellevarde, and -5°C at Solaise. Today we can expect a top of 2°C at 2000m.
Roads
Snowy, winter conditions can be found on the roads this morning. Even though from today the law no longer requires you to carry winter equipment, snow tyres remain essential for driving on the local roads.
Ski Report
An avalanche control program is underway across the entire ski area. Delays are likely in certain areas, please respect all closures as they exist for your safety. As of 9 o'clock the following is open:
The Pisaillas area will be open later in the morning for skiing today. All runs are expected to open, apart from the Combe du Geant and the Pay Desert border-cross
In the Fornet sector, the Cable Car is currently open, with the rest of the lifts expected to open later on. The Tunnel run will remain closed today.
Over on Solaise, currently only the Solaise gondola is open to the public. The Cugnai and Leissieres will have the longest delays as the lifts need to be dug out. Piste L and the beginner border-cross will remain closed. Everything will be open on the snowfront today.
In the Bellevarde sector, currently only the La Daille gondola is open, with the rest of the terrain to follow once avalanche control has been completed on the Face. The Mont Blanc chairlift, and the Moutons run, the snowpark and the Border-Crosses will likely be closed. Skiing in Tignes can be accessed via the Tommeuse lift.
Cross Country skiers are advised to wait until tomorrow, as there is fresh snow on all of the cross-country ski loops. 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
This weekend Val d'Isère was host to the French handicapped Nordic skiing championships. On the program in the Manchet valley was the biathlon on Saturday, and cross-country skiing on Sunday.
The weather was far from ideal, yet did not prevent the 13 athletes from participating in the races. These competitions were supposed to be held in Peisey, but the lack of snow lower down in the valley forced the organisers to come up to higher altitudes. A last minute organisation, facilitated by the Val d'Isère slopes management teams.
Congratulations to all the athletes present in the Manchet valley. Photos and video can be found on the Radio Val d'Isère website.
A skier was involved in an avalanche yesterday early in the afternoon. A considerable slide, at least 150 metres wide, was triggered off-piste slopes in the Fornet sector, near the Pyramide chairlift. The slide started from the same place as the notable avalanche of March 3rd, the one which demolished part of the Fornet forest. The avalanche was on a Northern aspect, on a lee-ward slope, where the snow accumulations were the strongest.
A 23-year-old skier was swept away and dragged for around 200 metres. He was buried for approximately 5 minutes, before skiers who witnessed the scene came to the rescue. The skier was equipped with a transceiver, which greatly facilitated the search. He emerged conscious from the slide, without major injuries. The avalanche risk was considerable yesterday, 3 out of 5.
It is a good reminder that if you go off-piste, skiing with just a transceiver is not enough, you also need a shovel and probe and know how to use them.
No municipal council on the first day of this month, as it's Easter Monday, so the town's elected officials will meet on April 8th.
The same day, an important public meeting will take place about the construction projects which will begin at the end of the season and which will affect us in spring, summer and autumn. The meeting is open to all, starting at 8 p.m. on April 8th at the Splendid cinema.
Like every Monday, here are the results of the champions of the Val d'Isère Sports club during the various alpine ski competitions in recent days. FIS races took place locally last week, Victor Muffat Jeandet competed and finished 2nd in the slalom on March 25th.
During the U12's and U14's Golden Rooster cup in Megève on March 29th, Jules Dufour Drai finished 1st in the giant.
Coline Quartier came 2nd in the U16's slalom in yesterday's Intersport Grand Prix at La Rosière. In the U18's Astrid Clément was 3rd and Jules Serving took the 2nd step of the podium for the boys. Congratulations to all our champions, a full list of results can be found in this morning's local news.
- 5:45 p.m. on the snowfront; Snake Gliss tobogganing. These collective snow-snakes can be enjoyed by all ages in groups of up to 10 people. Come along this evening under the lights and sounds of the Savonette slope.
- The ice skating rink will be open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. weather permitting.
- 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.
- 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.
