Overview of week one of the 2012/13 season

"Weather" is probably the best word to sum up week one of the 2012/13 season. We have experienced sunshine, poor visibility, a chilly wind, light snow, heavy snow and lower down even rain. Despite all of that we have amazing conditions here in The Three Valleys and have been enjoying skiing on almost empty runs for the last seven days. In Courchevel on Saturday we shared the beautiful Creux red run with 4 other people, once they had overtaken us it was all ours, a true treat.

Today was a particularly snowy day, we tested out the new Plattieres lift out of Mottaret which is very fast and blissfully quiet. The original Plattieres 3 Gondola is still in use and the transition from new to old is quite jarring although soon forgotten when we exited from the Gondola into deep, deep powder. The run down to St Martin was probably as good as it gets and lower down visibility improved dramatically.

Searching for lower altitude skiing saw us at the Meribel Altiport and onto one of my favourite runs "Piste des Animaux". Hidden at the base of the Loze Chairlift this short run through the trees features models of animals and informative signage. Not a person had skied down it and it appears no one with a shovel has been near it either as most of the animals are now hidden under snow or about to disappear.

The outlook is for more snow and hopefully a few clear days to take some pictures which really show off the area. In the meantime the following pictures represent the first week of the season.

From Saulire mid station looking down to Meribel Altiport

Golf Chairlift in need of snow clearing

No sun but lots of powder!

Halfway down Foret run and the sun decides to show up

Festive decoration in Mottaret fighting a losing battle with the snow

Piste des Animaux, hopefully someone will come and dig the animals out soon

Day one of the 2012/13 Season

The most important thing to start off a season well is to have snow and it would be fair to say we have that by the bucket full. It would be lovely to also start with a nice sunny day to admire the scenery and also make finding your snow legs a little easier. We couldn't quite get delivery on the sun today, even at mid station the visibility was bad and the temperature was well into the minus numbers. Snow continued to fall throughout the day and it is still snowing now. Conditions under ski and up to about mid calf were lovely, now we just need to sort out the rest and see some blue sky.

At the start of the season there is always a limited area open, it's simply not worth it for the number of people around and due to the depth of snow there are safety issues to be addressed. The links to the other Valleys were not open today but will gradually open as the week progresses. We skied a limited area, just enough to get the ski legs and ski brain working and take some snaps. The weather forecast is for a least 2 clear days in the next 5 days so will report back when we have gone further afield.

Not a bad view for a bus stop

Waiting at the bus stop it seemed there may be some blue sky appearing

Higher up no breaks in the cloud but a lovely run through the trees. Perfect conditions - Piste bashed corduroy down the middle, untouched deep powder at each side

Skiing down into Meribel some of the smaller trees have now disappeared completely under snow

Changes for the new season

We have previously posted about the changes over at Courchevel and as the snow continues to fall and the lifts open on Saturday it feels like time to cover what is new in Meribel for this season. The most dramatic will be opening of the first section of the Saulire Express gondola, the top section was opened last year. The lift station has been re-built with a large entrance ramp at the front. At the weekend they were putting the last finishing touches and the Gondolas were happily travelling up and down empty.

New lower stage of Saulire Express

 The completed Saulire Express will reach the top of the Saulire in just 12 minutes, compared with a previous journey time of over 20 minutes. This gives very speedy access to the red Piste Creux which first thing in the morning is one of the great pleasures of skiing the Three Valleys and gives access to the 1650 side of Courchevel.

The other big change for our Valley is the opening of the new Plattières lift which will replace the Plattières 1 and 2 gondolas. There will be no mid station and the lift entrance in Mottaret has been moved which will give easier access. The 9 minutes journey time will decrease the time taken to get to Mount Vallon and Cote Brune area although if it provides enough time to eat a sandwich is yet to be determined.

The new Plattieres lift station, Mount Vallon enjoying the sunshine in the background

Each year changes are also made to Pistes, sometimes a gentle re-shaping here and there or improvements to intersections. This season we also have a brand new Piste in Meribel to be called the Couloir Tournier. The 37-degree Couloir starts at the top of the Saulire Express and is to be equipped with cameras to allow you to have a lasting reminder  of your exploits. I am happy to report back at a later time on the suitability of the new fast Plattieres lift for snacking on a sandwich however the new Couloir will join the Grand Couloir on my list of 2 Pistes I will not be seen on. Happy to stand at the bottom and watch so will post later on the popularity of the new Piste.

For non skiers - or skiers wanting a rest day the Three Valleys offers an extensive network of footpaths which are well signed and bashed during the winter to make the snow firm and easier to walk on. One of the nicest walks is from  Meribel to Mottaret which we completed earlier this week, not as easy as usual as the snow is deep and the basher has not been out yet. Very hard on the legs but lovely views as seen below.

New festive decoration at the entrance to Mottaret

Walking down the Truite Piste

Bring your own shovel if you want to sit down

Walking towards Mottaret

Welcome to winter

Not quite the 1st December here but the last Autumn leaves are fighting a loosing battle against the snow. Down at Les Allues Village level yesterday we had a steady fall of snow which lasted most of the day. Walking boots have now been replaced by snow boots with spikes on the sole and a ski pole is advisable to at least minimise the slipping and sliding. 

These pictures were taken yesterday on our walk towards the Refuge de la Traie at 1650m:

Last of the Autumn leaves

The current forecast for the next 5 days indicates a further 53cm of snow at the top of the resort so the opening of the lifts on 8th December should be great day. Temperatures are falling, even at Les Allues level we are bracing ourselves for a minus 16 degree Sunday night bbrrrrrrrrr.
Today has brought us sunshine so we may venture up to Mottaret and report back on how the new lift buildings are looking, we may even see a Piste basher out busy preparing the runs for next Saturday.

Time for exercise and relaxation

In between finishing off a few jobs around the Chalet we are currently fortunate enough to have a bit of spare time and have been blessed with glorious weather. The autumn colours are especially strong against the snow capped mountains and the seemingly endless blue sky. Yesterday we walked on the opposite side of the valley which gives great views down towards Moutiers. Walking trails in the area are plentiful, well marked and well maintained.

Earlier this week we walked from Meribel to Courchevel 1850 where the cranes are working overtime to get building projects complete or at least to a lock up stage before winter sets in. The views this time were up the valley towards Le Grand Bec which sits between the villages of Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Champagny-en-Vanoise.

Walking can be a bit like skiing, sometimes more enjoyable while you are participating than afterwards when aches and tiredness sets in. We all know a massage can work wonders although once it is cooler and you have been out all day the thought of going out for a massage can be off-putting. Luckily there is an answer in the form of "Pamper Off Piste" who offer professional massage, beauty and spa treatments in the comfort of your holiday accommodation. From a foot and leg massage to help you forget your ski boots to indulgent facials the team can help you make the most of your holiday and leave you ready for another day on the snow. I made time last week for a much needed massage so I can vouch for the restorative effects even before my ski boots have been on. To read more about their great work and make a booking see their website or e-mail them on: enquiry@pamperoffpiste.com

First post of the new season

The weather has been getting colder in Meribel over the last month and several falls of snow have resulted. It is often the case that when snow arrives early it disappears very quickly because the ground and the air temperature is simply not cold enough. The early snow this season has been a little different and has settled being topped up every couple of days with fresh falls. Whilst we had read about the snow and seen web cams it was still a surprise to see the Alps look so white as we flew into Geneva.

The view coming into Geneva

Pretty as a picture alps

 By the time we arrived in Meribel we didn't need a thermometer to know it was cold, it felt more January than November the 1st. Day two at Chalet Vache Bleue brought welcome sunshine and it seemed only right that we took a break from unpacking and went to see the snow for ourselves. We climbed up from the Altiport to just below the new Saulire lift station building and can confirm it certainly has been snowy. 

The weather forecast for the next 5 days is for another 30cm of snow to fall on the summits with smaller amounts lower down. The cold will continue with a predicted minus 12 on Wednesday night - at the bottom of the resort, not even the top. Definitely time to rug up and maybe try the first mulled wine of the season.

Here are a few pictures taken today while we were out walking:

The view from Meribel Altiport

First snowy footprints