Opening of the 2016/17 Season
With the incredible snow conditions that have graced the French Alps during November, everyone has been extra keen to get back on the mountains for the 2016/17 winter season. The good news is that this last weekend that became possible as the high altitude resorts of Tignes, Val d’Isere & Val Thorens all opened their slopes.
Opening resorts in November is certainly not unheard of, but often it is limited to a few pistes which have been maintained with the help of snow cannons. This year was different though as almost all pistes could open together. The pass linking Tignes and Val d’Isere was even open a good month earlier than normal so friends on either side of the valley could meet to discuss whose town was better…
In fact – a late deluge of snow on Friday night even put the opening day in jeopardy of having too much snow (if such a thing exists!) Almost 80cm fell in parts of the resort which meant that pisteurs were working overtime to make sure all safety procedures were carried out and all lifts could be opened as soon as possible on Saturday morning.
Luckily the weather was on the side of the skier this time round though and Saturday bought sunny skies and near-perfect conditions for those early-season skiers and snowboarders. A great day was had by all – and means we’re looking forward to the rest of the winter even more than ever…
