English Weather, News, Ski Report - April 21, 2024

WEATHER

Forget that it is the third week in April
we have winter weather !
One of those lovely cool but sunny mornings.
So wrap up well, and get on the slopes ASAP as the weather could change.
Clouds and snow are predicted for the end of the morning,
and will continue this afternoon, snowing down to 700 metres.
The wind could blow at a moderate 50 kilometres per hour.

At 09.30 the temperature is

• -4° in the Village.
  
• -9° on Solaise.
  
• -10°  on Bellevarde.
  
• -13° on Pisaillas.
  

The maximum temperature at 2000 metres will be -1°.

ROADS

No problems are expected on the roads.

SKI REPORT

It is a GOOD DAY !!
Most of our ski area opened before 9 am.
The sun is out and the snow is  in great condition.

There is a delay opening the up and over (Leissieres chairlift) between Solaise and the Fornet,
and the T Bar on the Pissaillas,
but they should open soon.

If anyone was wondering why the Funival was slow to open yesterday ………..
A Lift that isn’t traditionally troubled by the wind…..
ICE !!

The Tunnel piste is currently closed, but we are not sure why, as the 3000 draglift is open.
Check the electronic boards when you are out as it may open later.   

Remember this is the last day this season that you can ski at le Fornet as they
start dismantling the bubbles tomorrow, and clearing the snow off the road.
They have a huge challege to get the work finished before the start of our winter season.

The snow on lower areas is thinning out
 so the following are closed :

• Brinzei touring track
• The lower parts of the:
• Marmottons
• Signal
• Epaule du charvet

They are preparing an area on Bellevarde,
for the huge end of season event The Alpine Park.

There is training this morning
on the upper part of the Orange and OK.

Most pistes were groomed overnight,
the few exceptions are :

AT LE FORNET

• Fôret
• Signal
• Tunnel
• Table d'orientation
  
  

ON SOLAISE

• Rhône- Alpes
• Combe Martin
  
  

ON BELLEVARDE

• G
  
  

Everything was groomed on Pisaillas.

Tignes can be accessed via the Tommeuses and the Borsat chairlifts.

The avalanche risk today remains a significant 3 out of 5.
This level is due to the very hot weather we had,
when avalanches slid exposing the ground,
followed by the return of cold winter temperatures
plus intermittent strong winds
and repeated snow falls.
Wind + snow = wind slab
And new snow covering a slab makes it tricky to see.

Before skiing off piste today,
consider the
capabilities of your courageous companions,
and their ability to help in an Emergency.
Maybe ski with a mountain guide,
as they definitely know all about the
current snow conditions.

Cross country skiers can enjoy the tracks

• In the Manchet
• Lac Ouillette
  
  

All our walking paths are open except for

• Les Branges
• Joseray
  

This is the last day you can enjoy the Col de l'Iseran path
as the bubble to get  you there closes this afternoon.

Remember there is a shuttle bus
between le Fornet and Pont St Charles
every 30 minutes 10.00 - 15.00.

LOCAL NEWS

Yesterday 6 of our locals competed in the the final of the
Instructors' challenge in La Plagne.
3 finished in the 40's and 2 came 90th.
Well done to everyone - not easy !

16.30 today
Our Sports Club (Club des Sports) is holding it's traditional End-of-Season party.
This begins on the Savonnette, with a parallel slalom over 3 giant runs.
Nothing 'usual' about this race -
we are talking fancy dress
with the letter « M » as  this years theme.

The teams are made up of children of different ages,
and their strong competitive spirit   
definitely extends to wearing their best costumes !
Come and cheer them on !
The party then continues inside the Sports Club.

On Wednesday, at the Mountain Planet Trade Fair in Grenoble,
our mayor, Patrick Martin,
was presented with the « Cimes Durable » (Sustainable Peaks) trophy
in recognition of the huge effort Val disère's council continues to make
particularly, including specific clauses in the building contracts.
We previously won this 2 years ago,
thanks to the endless effort by the Vie Val d'Is (the club for the local employees)
to preserve, maintain and improve our environment.

After 42 years of loyal, steady, the mean may add, slow, service,
today is the last day that the Vallon bubble lift
will take skiers from le Fornet towards the glacier.   
It will be dismantled in the coming weeks
before being replaced  by a sparkling new, high tech, speedier model.
To take part in  history, or just for a sentimental last ride,
come to the Fornet at 16.00
to share its final journey.