24th November 2023 | Simon Wilson, Val Thorens
The season in the highest resort in the Alps is now underway. PlanetSKI once again starts its season on the slopes of Val Thorens. NEW
So, when does the ski season in the Alps really start?
Some could argue that it never really stops.
There are still some places that offer glacier skiing year round, though that is increasingly threatened by the warmer summer temperatures.
This year a handful of resorts have opened early due to some decent autumn snowfalls, as we have been reporting on PlanetSKI:
And one of the great signposts that winter is truly just around the corner is when the highest resort in the Alps, Val Thorens, holds its traditional opening weekend.
The so-called Grande Première starts this weekend and I’m the lucky man getting an early taste of the white stuff.
To my astonishment, for one of the the first times in four decades travelling to the mountains of the Savoie region of France all the connections worked like clockwork.
After leaving Gatwick at 8am, I found myself on the slopes above Val Thorens by 3pm.
After a fine, sunny day with highs around freezing clouds are now gathering and a little light snow is expected overnight and on Saturday.
Not as much as forecast further east in Switzerland and Austria, but it should be enough to freshen up the rather hard pistes.
Locals are also warning the carefree Brit contingent in town to expect it to turn much colder with the temperature on Saturday at the resort height of 2,300m not getting past minus ten degrees Celsius.
On Friday the slopes were open only to a lucky few resort workers and local dignitaries, plus me.
Big crowds are expected over the Grande Premiere weekend which will feature demo tests of all the latest new skis and much partying and enjoying of the local food and drink.
“La Grande Première is an unmissable event for ski enthusiasts, offering the ideal opportunity to warm up, sharpen up and plan for the approaching winter,” said a statement from the resort.
The Test Village
It is set in the Place Caron and people can test all the latest in ski equipment, snowboards, accessories, touring skis, freeride skis and much more.
Festive activities
Mini fun areasLive concertsQuizzesRaclette partyProjection of mountain filmsFireworks show
“This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the long-awaited launch of the winter season. Don’t miss this unique experience in Les 3 Vallées,” added the resort.
As far as I’m concerned it’s looking good so far.
I hope you are getting as excited about the coming winter season as I am.
Do check back as I update this report across the weekend and look ahead to the winter here in Val Thorens.
We’ve already post about the coming season ahead so check out this report if you want further details:
More to follow…