Latest from Méribel

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Wonderful skiing conditions in Méribel over the last few days, with intermittent snow, some sunshine fresh tracks and no crowds. High winds and continuing avalanche risk has kept most of the higher lifts closed over recent days, but the skiing lower is excellent, and many pistes have been left ungoomed.

This picture taken today shows Méribel from the Moonpark

This photo shows the view across to the Saulire as the sun appeared mid-morning, along with some blue sky.

… and in our last photo for today, Ollie getting a little air

Snow, snow, snow

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At the higher resorts about a meter of snow has fallen in the last few days, and another meter is expected over the next 24-36 hours. Méteo Chamonix is advising people to stay off the mountain today. Val Thorens are issuing warnings to travellers arriving or leaving this weekend, and many roads to higher resorts risk closure due to avalanche risks. In the Three Valleys, avalanche blasting began before 6am this morning, and electricity to many villages was cut.

After the snow drought two weeks ago, we are now seeing some of the largest snowfalls in recent years. Val Thorens is reporting 120cm of accumulated snowpack, with much more to come.

When the weather starts to clear next week however, the avalanche risk is sure to be high, so take care if skiing off-piste.

It has snowed, it is snowing, and it will snow again

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After a couple of heavy snowfalls last week, followed by further snow yesterday, the forecast is again for heavy snowfalls later this week. The ensembles indicate heavy falls on Friday and Sunday:

Here is the ensembles for 6E45N – roughly corresponding to Bourg d’Oisans

The ensembles for 6E46N – Annecy

The ensembles for 7E46N – Chamonix / Argentiere

The ensembles for 7E45N – Sestriere / Sauze d’Oulx

The Three Valleys lies exactly between these four coordinates, so we have created a composite picture

In summary, major dumps likely on Friday and Sunday, possibly a meter of snow in total. So for those driving to the alps at the weekend, take care on the roads, and here’s looking forward to a powder-filled weekend.

 

 

Ski Testing at Val Thorens

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After Alpe d’Huez, the “Ski Force Winter Tour” moves to Val Thorens for the weekend of 17th and 18th December. This gives the public the chance to test skis from 16 different manufacturers free of charge: Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar, Elan, Head, Heidiskis, K2, Kastle, Movement, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, Scott, Volkl and White-Doctor.