(Pic Above Val Thorens on 7 Nov 16 Credit T Loubere O T Val Thorens)
Val Thorens is to open a week early, this Saturday November 19th, because of all the fresh snow.
Because there’s been such a huge November snowfall to date, around 70% of the ski lifts will be open next weekend at Val Thorens.
The recent massive snowfalls (currently leaving a base of 63cm in the resort and 130cm at the top) combined with the cold temperatures means the resort will open from 9am on Saturday right through to 1st May 2016.
Europe’s highest major resort joins several others that have opened ahead of schedule including Alpe d’Huez, Arosa, Crans Montana, Davos, Hemsedal, Kitzbuhel and Verbier.
The snow patrol team and SETAM (Val Thorens’ lift company) are reported to be working hard to prepare the ski area to please impatient skiers and boarders. This weekend will be a real rehearsal for the resort before the pre-planned new ‘red carpet’ event to launch the main season on 26th November a week later with ‘The Grande Première.’
Frédéric Bonnevie, the director of the snow patrol team of Europe’s highest resort, has had his team ready for action since October:
“Val Thorens has always been able to adapt to weather condition to open early when possible. And the 2016-17 season is starting well! To be able to open the ski area with good snow conditions from 19 November is very good news. The weather in the last days and the forecast for the next days look very favourable for Val Thorens. We are benefiting from regular snowfalls and the cold temperature enables us to make artificial snow, which is essential for keeping a good snow base until May. We are preparing the ski area to open on 19 November with 70cm of snow on the slopes and an access to 3 summits at 3,000m.”
Lift pass from 19 November to 12 December: €40 for an adult day pass and €32 for a child day pass
La Grande Première: the official launch of the season, on 26 and 27 November will see Val Thorens welcome over 15,000 skiers for the season launch on 26 and 27 November. The resort is finalising its programme with almost 70 brands of gear to test and some top entertainment: big air bag, mini snow park, carving zone, ski touring circuits and a big stage on the Caron square for some live music.
