Early season in Val or Tignes snow risk ?

Hey yall, it's great to be back and talking about the white stuff once again ! Although some of you guys do it all year round )

Thinking about having an early week in Val or Tignes starting 12th Dec. What is the risk of a No Snow week? (excluding glacier skiing as I know that is guaranteed)

Do it or wait??

tonypants wrote:Hey yall, it's great to be back and talking about the white stuff once again ! Although some of you guys do it all year round )

Thinking about having an early week in Val or Tignes starting 12th Dec. What is the risk of a No Snow week? (excluding glacier skiing as I know that is guaranteed)

Do it or wait??

There will be "some" snow by then. It all depends on how much mileage you like when you are skiing. Resort links may not open if there is insufficient cover.

There is no guarantee that glacier skiing will be available, as there are more factors than snow cover to be considered.

If the alpine snowfall of the past few days indicates the start of winter, then you may experience too much snow 8)

You might want to wait a month or two!

bandit wrote:

tonypants wrote:Hey yall, it's great to be back and talking about the white stuff once again ! Although some of you guys do it all year round )

Thinking about having an early week in Val or Tignes starting 12th Dec. What is the risk of a No Snow week? (excluding glacier skiing as I know that is guaranteed)

Do it or wait??

There will be "some" snow by then. It all depends on how much mileage you like when you are skiing. Resort links may not open if there is insufficient cover.

There is no guarantee that glacier skiing will be available, as there are more factors than snow cover to be considered.

If the alpine snowfall of the past few days indicates the start of winter, then you may experience too much snow 8)

You might want to wait a month or two!

i really do hope it means the start of winter. however i feel my hopes may be alittle premature.

And what about Val Torens, it's higher and it seems that the resort, at least by what i can find is opening on the 5th of December... is it worth trying to get a vacation then ?

I've skied Val D'Isere and Tignes several times in mid December, during those trips too much snow has been more of a problem than too little.
The only trip we had problems was when the Pisteures went on strike!
The earliest I've skied there is 6 Dec.
There is always a lot more open up in Tignes so I'd suggest it's the better resort to stay in if you want to avoid a taxi fare if the links aren't open.
If you can get a good enough deal I'd say go for it.
There's a good chance I'll be in Tignes that week. :D

This is Tignes 15 Dec 2008:

WOW, that's lot's of snow, I never comprehended too much snow ) normally we go to Banff in December where it is pretty much guaranteed however, fancy a change this year (and can get too cold in Banff). I have chosen 12th because of the deals that are on offer, Jan is out due to School Hol's, AND, can't wait to get on the slopes :D

I agree that Tignes is a better call and will take that advice on. Also Tignes is my fave ski field ( if open LOL)

I've done that week in Val d'sere/Tignes and it was 80% open. It was also the coldest I've ever been on La Fornet Glacier on a 4 seater at -30deg and 60Km/h wind....brrrrrrr!!

Great week, lovely chalet, fantastic riding. Would rather stay in Val d'Isere than Tignes which is "functional" to say the least.

tino_11 wrote:Would rather stay in Val d'Isere than Tignes which is "functional" to say the least.

So would I, however I've been there when the skiing has been very limited in Val and the links have still been closed. We had to get a taxi to Tignes every day to access great skiing.