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Tignes Snow Report: 29th March 2012

Step Up For Africa 3.5. Charity Events in Espace Killy

featured in Snow report Author Debbie Priestley, Tignes Reporter Updated

Let the sun shine, let the sun shine baby!

Don’t get too excited, but most of the weather forecasts are predicting a little snow on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday! The only slightly worrying factor is that they are not predicting a drop in temperature, so we could be in for a little rain in town. Fingers crossed though!

Today was the day of Step Up for Africa 3.5, and it was the perfect day for it. Why it is 3.5 I’m not sure, but it is the fourth year this event has run. The aim of the day is just to have fun, but if you’re feeling up to it then there is a rather large kicker hand built for the day, well, actually there are quite a few. This year the event is raising money for Disability Snowsports UK, as well as the usual Riders Aid charity. The event started at twelve noon today, under beautiful blue skies and blistering sunshine. This took place on the skier’s right of the Tommeuses chair lift, so it was easily accessibly from both Val d’Isere and Tignes for all the supporters. The BBQ was built into a snow bar to the side of the jumps and was a huge success as always. Tonight there are parties in both Val d’Isere and Tignes at 7pm (in the V-Spot bar and the Marmotte Arms) where a raffle is being held, also to raise funds.

The kicker looked even bigger than last year, and it looked like you had to go pretty much straight all the way along the run in to make the landing, well done to everyone who hit it as I chickened out completely!

I was on the mountain for other reasons this morning though, mostly enjoying the conditions early on before it got too soft. The Grande Motte is probably best avoided before noon unless you really like skiing bulletproof snow, but the views are exceptional, especially when the skies are clear.

My other favourite place right now is the Le Fornet glacier, for some reason it is always more peaceful here, less people, and the area just seems to inspire tranquillity. Then a skier or snowboarder goes flying fast, because you can’t half go fast up there! If you stay above the Signal restaurant at the top of the Gondola, you will find fantastic snow all day long. It may be a little further out of the way than other areas in Val d’Isere, but it is worth the visit. On the Tignes side, it’s a little harder to find quieter areas, The riding down to Tignes Les Brevieres used to be a great escape but it is getting very slushy now, and I’d only ride it early in the day. My best tip is to ride at lunch times, as they are usually when most people head off the slopes for something to eat.

The sun was blisteringly hot today, so much so that I left the slopes early to do a spot of sunbathing. It’s very surreal lying on a towel in swimwear when people are walking past in ski gear. It feels a little strange to say the least, but it is more than hot enough to do it just now. Just remember that even when you are at resort level here, you are at altitude, and the sun is a lot stronger than it is at home. It is very easy to get burnt, or get the dreaded sunstroke, so please take care and wear the appropriate protection. Sun burn can really spoil our holiday, and sun stroke can ruin it. A little cloud cover next week will be a welcome break for some of us!

That said, it is fantastic skiing in this sunshine, make the most of it, enjoy the weather, and wear sun cream!

Bon ski!

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 2

Snow Report
  • 1

  • Total Pistes: 164

  • Alt. Resort: 1850m

  • Alt. Summit: 3000m

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1850m upwards

  • High Temp.: 10'c

  • Alt. High Temp.: 2000m

  • Latest Conditions: SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS!