Val Thorens Snow Report: 22nd April 2016

This week has seen days flipping from chilly, cloudy and snowy to glorious sunshine and bluebird powder days. What date is it again?? The Three Valleys links have all remained open and the pistes are still in tiptop condition. Although I have to admit that I have been eating and drinking my way through the past week so this report will focus more on that than the skiing but I can verify the pistes look pretty good!

On Tuesday the sky could not have been bluer if it had tried and it was such an end of season joy to still be enjoying sun on the terrace in Val Thorens until 8pm. Whilst the pistes might be quieter at this time of year, the après is still in full swing. Snesko was it’s usual lively self and the Panda terrace was a great spot to catch the sunset with a bbq on offer too. Once the sun disappeared we soon realised that we were at 2300m and when it started to get a bit chilly we retreated to the restaurant Saint Peres. I had never visited this restaurant before and was pleasantly surprised. From the outside it is fairly plain but the interior is refreshingly modern and the staff really friendly. I was more than happy with the glass of red wine served in the biggest wine glass I’ve ever seen! The menu is fairly simple but what they do serve they do well and I would say it is one of the best burgers I have eaten this winter. The prices I found to be reasonable at around 40 euros for a simple dinner of pizza, burger, wine and beer. They also provide take away pizza if you are staying in Val Thorens and you can enjoy a drink by the bar whilst you wait.

Another restaurant worth a try a little lower down the valley in Les Menuires is Red Dragon. It is slightly tucked away behind the resort, however if you have ever given the luge run a go you will have come across the location at the finish point. A refreshing change for the mountains, at this restaurant you can find Asian cuisine including some fantastic sushi. I opted for the duck which was great and those who opted for the sushi were certainly not disappointed with a huge platter to sample. The restaurant is fairly small but tastefully decorated and they have a nice bar area too which is a great spot for a drink before your meal. Maybe one for seasonaires who are craving something other than tartiflette!

Aside from all this eating and drinking, Val Thorens still has one more weeks’ skiing on offer yet. La Folie Douce closing party took place this week and there are many other restaurants and bars also starting to close their doors although it certainly won’t be quiet with Dutch week taking place from tomorrow. The snow depth at 2300m is 120cm and at the highest point of 3,200m the snow depth is still 235cm. All ski lifts are open with just one closed piste meaning there are 80 slopes to ski rather than the maximum 81, not bad going. After a slow start this year it seems Val Thorens shall certainly be ending on a high! If you have taken those snow tyres off already, you might want to think again, there is snow forecast right until midweek.