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Val Thorens snow report
Here you can find Val Thorens snow reports, which we update approximately once a week during the winter season.
We provide the official snow depths, but more too. We'll give you an idea of whether it's fresh, soft snow, rather more hard-packed, or in the melt-freeze cycle, with icy snow in the morning, and slush in the afternoon.
Read our Val Thorens snow report here.
Val Thorens snow reports from the 2012-13 season
This is the Val Thorens snow report. The official figures are for snow depth at resort level, and at 3000m. These are supplied by the ski patrol and the tourist office. Actual depths will vary from slope to slope. Also, the official figures tend to be optimistic - snow rarely seems to melt in Val Thorens! Still, they give a rough idea of the amount of snow.
Val Thorens snow report: Sunday 12th May 2013
Today (Sunday 12th May) was the last day of the season. The conditions were good right to the end (and there should be some good ski touring days ahead for anyone prepared to walk up).
The official snow depths today were:
- 80cm at resort level, and
- 220cm at 3000m
The link to Orelle was open. The lifts closed at 2pm today, to conclude the winter 2012/13 season.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 4th May 2013
During this week, there were rain showers at times, and the snow didn't refreeze well overnight. However, conditions were much better on Thursday 2nd May. Today (Saturday 4th May), conditions were excellent, with a few centimetres of fresh snow on the ground in the morning, and sunshine and blue skies during the day.
This morning, the official snow depths were:
- 85cm at resort level, and
- 235cm at 3000m
All the lifts are open except 3 Valleys 2 and Bouquetin, plus Boismint and Plan de l' Eau, which closed this morning. The link to Orelle remains open. The avalanche risk today was 3 out of five.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 27th April 2013
There was a sea of cloud on Monday 22nd April, then warm sunshine from Tuesday to Thursday. Friday was rather cloudy, with rain or snow showers, and it's snowing again today (Saturday 27th April).
This morning, the official snow depths were:
- 110cm at resort level, and
- 345cm at 3000m (but don't take this figure seriously)
25 lifts were open out of the total of twenty-seven - Bouquetin and 3 Valleys 2 are closed (presumably for the rest of the season now), and the six pistes accessible from those lifts are also closed (Bd Goitschel, Goitschel, Triton, Chardons, Pluviometre, and Traversée Montaulever). The remaining 65 pistes in Val Thorens are all open.
The avalanche risk this morning was 3 out of five.
The other ski areas in the 3 Valleys closed at the end of Friday 26th April, so the links are now closed, except to Orelle, which remains open.
Val Thorens snow report: Sunday 21st April 2013
There was fresh snow, and a good deal of sunshine amongst the clouds today.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 20th April 2013
It was sunny and very warm from Sunday 14th to Thursday 18th April - we had temperatures which you'd normally expect at the start of June. The snow held up remarkably well in Val Thorens, although there was a significant melt lower down in the valley. On Friday afternoon, it started snowing, and the snow has continued on Saturday morning.
This morning (Saturday 20th April), there was 23cm of fresh snow in resort, and 25cm at the top of the ski area. The official total snow depths were:
- 140cm at resort level, and
- 370cm at 3000m
There were delays to the opening of some of the lifts today, as the ski patrol made the ski area safe. The 8am temperatures were -7C in resort, and -10C at 3000m. All 27 lifts are open, and 70 pistes out of the total 71 (only Triton is closed).
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 13th April 2013
In the week to Saturday 13th April, we had some excellent snow conditions once again, with sunshine on Sunday, Wednesday, and some of Thursday and Friday. More snow fell on Friday night, but the week ahead is forecast to sunny and very warm.
This morning (Saturday 13th April), the official snow depths were:
- 160cm at resort level, and
- 370cm at 3000m
There were delays to the opening of certain lifts today, as the ski patrol made the ski area safe after the overnight snow, but then all the lifts opened except the Funitel de Thorens, and all the pistes except Chocard and Asters (from the Funitel de Thorens). The links to the other ski areas of the Three Valleys were open, and the avalanche risk was 3 out of five.
This is a video of the Slopestyle event that took place in the snowpark in Val Thorens today:
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 6th April 2013
In the past week, we had a good deal of sunshine, but relatively cool temperatures. Thursday and Friday were cloudy, with a little snow at times. The conditions remain excellent.
This morning (Saturday 6th April), the official snow depths were:
- 160cm at resort level, and
- 360cm at 3000m (probably exaggerated)
All 27 lifts and all 71 pistes were open, as were the links from Val Thorens to les Menuires, Meribel Mottaret, and Orelle; and the avalanche risk was 2 out of five. The quality of the snow is excellent - mainly fresh winter snow, rather than spring snow in a melt-freeze cycle.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 30th March 2013
It was a week of low cloud and snow, interrupted by a glorious blue-sky day on Wednesday, with sunshine all day, light winds, and comfortable temperatures.
The official snow depths this morning (Saturday 30th March) were:
- 155cm at resort level, and
- 360cm at 3000m
All 27 lifts and all 71 pistes were open today, as were the links to Les Menuires, Meribel Mottaret, and Orelle; the avalanche risk was 3 out of five.
The spring was here a week or so ago, as you can see from this video of 'waterskiing' across the Lac du Lou...no doubt it will return.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 23rd March 2013
It was a mixed week - windy on Sunday, then snowy on Monday and Monday night (30-35cm fell); Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day, then another 10-15cm of snow fell on Wednesday night; Thursday saw sunshine and high cloud, then Friday was sunny and rather warm.
The official snow depths this morning (Saturday 23rd March) were:
- 160cm at resort level, and
- 365cm at 3000m
The 8am temperatures were 1C in resort, and -5C at 3000m; all 27 lifts and all 71 pistes were open; and the avalanche risk was 3 out of five.
You can see the conditions on Friday from this short video of an off piste excursion from Val Thorens to Pralognan on Friday 22nd March 2013:
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 16th March 2013
It turned cold in the middle of the week, with very low temperatures on Thursday, accompanied by light snow all day. Friday was very cold, but sunny, then it was warmer today (Saturday 16th March).
The official snow depths this morning were:
- 150cm at resort level, and
- 330cm at 3000m
The avalanche risk today was 2 out of five. All 27 lifts in Val Thorens, and all 71 pistes, were open.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 9th March 2013
It was sunny and warm at the start of the week. The Foehn wind picked up on Tuesday, and led to the closure of most of the lifts, which only began opening again on Wednesday afternoon. After a pleasant day on Thursday, we had light snow all day on Friday. Today (Saturday 9th March) has been a mixture of clouds and sunshine, with a spring feel to it - the sort of day to enjoy a restaurant terrace.
The official snow depths are:
- 145cm at resort level, and
- 321 cm at 3000m
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 2nd March 2013
It's been a mainly sunny week, often with cold temperatures. At times, there was a disagreeable SE or E wind, blowing from the Orelle side, and kicking up plumes of snow from the ridge around the top of Grand Fond.
There was a little snow on the evening of Wednesday 27th February, which you can see falling in this short video of the Six Ski Resorts Rugby Tournament, that took place on place Caron:
The official snow depths this morning (Saturday 2nd March) are:
- 155cm at resort level, and
- 330cm at 3000m
The 8am temperatures were -4C in resort, and -5C at 3000m. All 27 lifts and all 71 pistes are open, as are the links from Val Thorens to Les Menuires, Meribel Mottaret, and Orelle. The avalanche risk is 2 out of five.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 23rd February 2013
The start of the week was cold and sunny. Tuesday and Wednesday were slightly warmer, but then it was cold again at the end of the week - with, for example, 8am temperatures today (Saturday 23rd) of -18C in resort, and -19C at 3000m.
This has resulted in compact snow on the piste, but there is still some good fresh snow to be found off piste. The official snow depths on Saturday 23rd February are:
- 160cm at resort level, and
- 335cm at 3000m
The avalanche risk is down to 1 out of five.
A few centimetres of fresh snow are expected tonight.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 16th February 2013
We had another quite cold, snowy week, but with sunshine on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Today, Saturday 16th February, has been another glorious day. The official snow depths this morning were:
- 180cm at resort level, and
- 350cm at 3000m
The avalanche risk today was 2 out of five.
The snow is excellent cold, fresh, winter snow, right down to St Martin de Belleville, promising excellent conditions for the coming half-term holiday week.
Here's a short video of the Col de la Fenetre off piste itinerary today, 16th February:
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 9th February 2013
The middle of the week was mainly cold and snowy, sandwiched by glorious sunny days on Sunday 3rd and Friday 8th February.
The snowfalls have been significant, with, for example, 40cm of fresh snow in the 24 hours to Friday morning. This morning (Saturday 9th), the 8am ski patrol bulletin reports snow depths of:
- 195cm at resort level, and
- 345cm at 3000m
The 8am temperatures today were -17C in resort, and -21C at 3000m. All 27 lifts are open, and 69 pistes out of 71 (just Combe de Caron and Névés are closed). The avalanche risk is 3 out of five.
Here's a short video showing some of the conditions during the week:
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 2nd February 2013
We had 15-20cm of fresh snow on Sunday (27th January) night. There were warm temperatures in the middle of the week, producing the first 'transformed' snow of the season (ie, in the melt-freeze cycle). There was 5cm of fresh snow on Wednesday night.
It started snowing again yesterday (Friday 1st February), and by this morning (Saturday 2nd February) there was 25cm of fresh snow at resort level, and 30cm at 3000m. The official snow depths this morning are:
- 160cm in resort, and
- 280cm at 3000m
The avalanche risk this morning is 4 out of five. The ski patrol are blasting to make the ski area safe, and there are delays to the opening of many lifts.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 26th January 2013
It's been another cold week. We had a snowfall of around 10cm of very light, cold snow, on Monday night (21st January). Tuesday was a great blue-sky powder day. A S wind on Tuesday night and Wednesday meant that the off piste was wind-blown in places for the rest of the week.
The official snow depth figures on Saturday morning are:
- 120cm in resort, and
- 230cm at 3000m
Also on Saturday morning, all 27 lifts, and all 71 pistes are open. The 3 Valley links are open. This is a view of Saulire, in Courchevel, on Friday 25th January:
The avalanche risk is three out of 5. The temperatures recorded at 8 o clock on Saturday morning were -10C in resort, and -13C at 3000m.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 19th January 2013
The week was very cold, with temperatures of -17C in resort, and -23C at 3000m, at 8am on Thursday 17th January, and a similarly cold start to Wednesday and Friday. We had some snow on Tuesday, and on Friday night (3-5cm).
All 27 lifts and all 71 pistes are open, as are the links to Orelle, Les Menuires, and Mottaret.
The snowpack has not stabilised a great deal, due to the extreme cold, and the avalanche risk on Saturday 19th January is three out of five. The official snow depth figures on Saturday morning were:
- 140cm in resort, and
- 240cm at 3000m
Val Thorens snow report: Friday 11th January 2013
We had a sunny week, then snow on Thursday night (25cm of fresh snow in resort by Friday morning, and 30cm at the top of the ski area). The snow continued all day on Friday 11th January. The official snow depths on Friday morning were:
- 135cm at resort level, and
- 235cm at 3000m
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 5th January 2013
The last snow fall was on Tuesday night/Wednesday last week. Since then, we've had sunshine, but fairly cold temperatures. The snow remains very good to excellent - cold, winter snow, and very few icy patches. The official snow depths are:
- 125cm at resort level, and
- 215cm at 3000m
On Saturday, all 27 lifts, and all 71 pistes were open; the links to Orelle, Mottaret and Les Menuires were also open.
Here's a short video of the Geffriand off piste itinerary, to St Martin de Belleville, on Saturday 5th January 2013:
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 29th Decmeber 2012
More snow fell during the week, including 20cm or so on Thursday and Thursday night, with a strong W wind. The official snow depths on Friday morning were:
- 130cm at resort level, and
- 220cm at 3000m
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 22nd December 2012
We've had more snow during the week, and only a couple of clear days. The official snow depths on the morning of Friday 21st December 2012 were:
- 150cm at resort level, and
- 230cm at 3000m
The snowpack has begun to stabilise and settle, and the avalanche risk on Friday was 3/5. Snow is falling on Saturday 22nd December, and a warm spell on Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th is likely to increase the avalanche risk.
All the lifts in Val Thorens are now open except for Glacier, which normally opens for the February holidays. The links to Orelle, Menuires, and Mottaret are open (subject to weather or avalanche risk on a particular day). We have 59 pistes open out of the total of 71 in the Val Thorens ski area.
Val Thorens snow report: Saturday 15th December 2012
We had a pause in the snowfalls, with a sunny day on Wednesday 12th December, then clouds and a S wind on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th. The official snow depths on Friday morning were:
- 150cm at resort level, and
- 230cm at 3000m
A westerly system in the coming week should bring us more snow, as well as the odd day of better weather.
Val Thorens snow report: Wednesday 5th December 2012
At 8am on Wednesday 5th December, there was 30cm of fresh snow (fallen in the previous 24h) at resort level, and 40cm at 3000m. The total snow depth was:
- 130cm at resort level, and
- 190cm at 3000m
The temperatures have been cold, so the snow is soft, winter snow. Due to the recent heavy snowfalls, the avalanche risk was 4/5 on Wednesday morning.
There'll be some respite on Thursday, with sunny intervals, but then another 30-50cm of snow is forecast for Friday 7th December, and Météo France predict that the avalanche risk could be up to 5/5 by Friday evening. This is likely to lead to a temporary road closure at some point, as the authorities use explosives to dislodge snow on the slopes above, and make the road safe.