The Valthonet.Com Val Thorens Snow Report

Windblown snow on top of Mont Vallon

It’s very tempting on seeing blue skies from your chalet, to go skiing completely underdressed. Don’t be fooled! With temperatures of -18degC at the summits, this is seriously cold, especially in March when perhaps warmer weather is the norm. Although the wind has dropped compared to the 60kmph windspeeds at the weekend, frostbite is still a possibility.

Yesterday (Monday) was a few degrees warmer than today, and we headed off for Mont Vallon. This is an isolated peak near the head of the Meribel Valley, with no links to any other parts of the Three Valleys. At the top, the choice is between two long reds – Combe du Vallon which is longer and slightly more North facing, or Campagnol which is South and West facing and returns you directly to the Mont Vallon telecabine. It is this latter piste which tends to deteriorate more quicly and soon has gravely bits appearing which was the case yesterday.

Combe du Vallon was, for the most part, excellent, but it was also quite busy. There is lots of off-piste available, but it is very skied out, and the lower section was extremely icy and quite difficult to ski – I think I probably need my edges doing again sometime soon!

Later on, we decided to stay in the sun, and chose to ski on the West-facing slopes above Les Menuires. Mont de la Chambre and Plan du Bouquet both had excellent snow, but the red Montaulever down to the Sunny Express is to be avoided, as it is both icy and has a lot of rocks showing through. It is much easier to take the more North facing blue piste with its gentler slopes and better snow cover.

The lunchstop was at the Alpages restaurant situated on the Mont de la Chambre piste and accessible from the Quatre Vents. It has a big south facing sun deck, and the Plat du Jout at 11€ is always good value. Smaller dishes are on offer at around 8€, ad wine can be bought by the pichet, or jug in 25cl, 50cl and 1litre measures. The children’s menu is 10.50€ and offers three choices of main courses, two desserts, and also includes a drink.

In the afternoon, we skied the Trois Marches, Mouflon, Martre and Truite in Meribel, and finshed off with the Verdet down from the Roc de Fer, before retiring for sunbathing at Le Corbeleys restaurant at the foot of the St Martin 2 telesiege.

The low temperatures are keeping the snow in really good condition and in general, apart from some icy patches on the lower level pistes, the conditions are fantastic. The weather is set to remain very cold with snow flurries over the next couple of days, so for now …

Bon ski ….





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[1] Generally described in more detail in the resort avalanche bullettin (e.g. altitude, aspect, type of terrain etc.)
[2] Additional load:

• High: e.g. group of skiers, piste machine, avalanche blasting
• Low: e.g. skier, walker
• Steep slopes: Slopes with an incline of more than about 30°
• Steep extreme slopes: Particularly unfavourable in terms of the incline, terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface.

This is an indication of status at time of writing. Please check latest situation at the lift stations before setting out.