Great French Openings

This weekend opened the number of major ski regions in France. The club of already opened since recently Val Thorens and Tignes which started the season as early as September joined Chamonix, Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez.

And the Portes du Soleil region has had intention to get opened partially (namely Avoriaz, Chatel, les Gets located in France and three Swiss ski resorts - Champery, Morgin and Torgon). Also this weekend special new gear testing was held to launch the season in Val d’Isere, the European ski area having the thickest snow layer of about 2 metres at the moment.

Not only the Alps got loads of fresh snow powder, in the Pyrenees it has been showing like in the middle of January rather than November, so 19 of local 27 ski resorts intended to open this weekend – namely La Pierre Saint-Martin, Gourette, Iraty, Le Somport, Cauterets, Piau, Le Tourmalet, Luz, Val d’Azun, Nistos, Payolle, Peyragudes, Beille, Ax, Goulier, Les Monts d’Olmes, Le Chioula, Les Angles, Puigmal.

So the new season is rolling on. But skiers must remember that off piste skiing is still rather dangerous. The snow base below 2.000 meters is not yet substantial and solid. Pistehors.com reports that “for the Alps Meteo France warns of slabs above 1800 meters on North, East and West slopes especially on steeper convex slopes. They also note the formation of weak layers due to the recent cold weather. The risk is higher in the Pyrenees with weak layers and large accumulations above 2200 meters”.

Photo: Alpe d’Huez, by Simdaperce (wikimedia.org)