Serre Chevalier has decided to bring forward its opening date from 10th December to 3rd December. In the Monêtier-les-Bains area, snow conditions are sufficient to open the Bachas, Cibouit, Eychauda and Yret lifts. The resort is reporting 30cm of snow at 2000m and 100cm at the summit.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
Ski manufacturer Rissognol have decided to invest 10M€ to modernise
their two productions sites in Sallanches and Artes, in Spain. In the last two
years, production at the Sallanches factory has increased from 70,000 pairs of
skis to 300,000 pairs. Production in Spain is an additional 450,000 pairs.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
The opening of Val Thorens, which had previously been delayed by a week, has now been brought forward to tomorrow, 24th November. This “pre-opening” will see four lifts opening: the Péclet funitel, the Cascades chairlift, and the Campagnol and Castor & Pollux “moving carpets”. Three additional lifts will open at the weekend.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
Val-d’Isère will open on Saturday 26th November. It is expected that the Pisaillas glacier will open, as well as the run down to Signal in the Vallon de l’Iseran.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
Five ski instructors from Les Arcs have appeared at an industrial tribunal this morning
in Albertville accusing the ESF (Ecole de ski français) of age discrimination.
They are seeking to reverse a clause whereby instructors over 61 years old must
give up their position in favour of younger instructors during low season.
The tribunal’s decision is expected on 21st February.
Source: Le Dauphiné Libéré
Several of the mountains passes in the French Alps have closed today for the winter, including col du Petit-Saint-Bernard, col du Mont-Cenis, col de la Croix de Fer, col de la Madeleine, col de Roselend and col du Glandon. Could this mean that snow is expected soon? We’re still keeping our fingers crossed.
Val Thorens has added a new funitel lift this season. The lift consists two trains, each with two 33-seater cabins, and will be capable of transporting 1,500 people per hour to the Col du Bouchet at 3,000 metres.
The funitel journey time should be around two minutes, and will give access to two new pistes: the red “Les Asters”, and the blue, “Le Chocard”.
The opening of Val Thorens has been delayed by a week. Lifts will now open on Saturday 26th November.
Limited opening of the ski area had been planned for this weekend, but due to insufficient snow cover, it has been announced that the opening of the lifts is postponed to next weekend.
The good news is that the temperatures have been dropping over the last few days and the resort has been able to operate the snow cannons.