An independent guide to Val Thorens
Here you can find Val Thorens snow reports during the winter season. Read the Val Thorens snow report.
It has been sunny all week.
The temperatures at 8am today were -3C at resort level, and -3.5C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 190cm at resort level, and 270cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 531cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 71 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 1 out of 5.
It snowed on Monday of last week, then it has been sunny since.
The temperatures at 8am today were -3.5C at resort level, and -0.5C at the top of the mountain - going by the ski patrol information, at least, but maybe those figures are the wrong way round. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 205cm at resort level, and 285cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 528cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 71 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
There were quite a few snowy days last week, but it was sunny on Tuesday, and on Thursday morning.
The temperatures at 8am today were -4C at resort level, and -7C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 216cm at resort level, and 295cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 524cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 71 pistes are open out of 77; there are closed pistes in the Caron sector, plus piste de la Chasse.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
There was a bit of snow on Monday, sunshine on Tuesday, wind on Wednesday, snow on Thursday, and sunshine on Friday.
The temperatures at 8am today were -2.5C at resort level, and -4.5C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 173cm at resort level, and 253cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 442cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 71 pistes are open out of 77; other than the pistes in the Cime de Caron sector, boulevard du Lou in the Boismint sector is closed.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
It was sunny all week, with extraordinarily warm temperatures - values in February which would be normal for May. There was a little snow on Friday 1st March.
The temperatures at 8am today were -6.5C at resort level, and -7.5C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 160cm at resort level, and 235cm at 3000m. There was 5cm of fresh snow in resort, and 6cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 424cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 71 pistes are open out of 77; other than the pistes in the Cime de Caron sector, boulevard du Lou in the Boismint sector is closed.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
It was sunny all week. Today the temperatures are 10C above the seasonal averages, with a maximum of 22C at 1000m, 12C at 2000m, and 6C at 3000m.
The temperatures at 8am today were -1C at resort level, and -2C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 170cm at resort level, and 245cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 419cm, which is 1cm less than last week's figure - technically impossible.
26 of the 27 lifts are open today. The Cime de Caron cable car is closed for the season. 72 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
There was quite a lot of snow on Sunday and Monday last week, then uninterrupted sunshine from Tuesday onwards.
The temperatures at 8am today were -2.5C at resort level, and -2.5C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 190cm at resort level, and 265cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 420cm.
26 of the 27 lifts should open today, with the Cime de Caron cable car closed for the season. 72 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
There was some snow in the past week, but plenty of sunshine too.
The temperatures at 8am today were -3C at resort level, and -6C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 190cm at resort level, and 265cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 395cm.
26 of the 27 lifts should open today, with the Cime de Caron cable car closed for the season. 72 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle and the 3 Valleys are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
It has been mainly cold and snowy this week, but with some sunshine at times.
Occasionally during the season there are days when there is wet snow, and as you sit on chairlift, some horrible black grease or other muck drips onto your ski jacket and trousers and stains them. Apparently the lift company, SETAM, can't do anything to prevent it, but at the very least they might say 'sorry about that'.
The temperatures at 8am today were -8C at resort level, and -10C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 209cm at resort level, and 255cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 355cm.
26 of the 27 lifts should open today, but some will open late. The Caron cable car is now going to be closed for the season. Freezing rain, of a type never seen since Val Thorens opened in 1971, formed on the cables, and forced the wheels of the cars that run along the cables out of their normal line, damaging the outer layer of the cables. The cables will be changed this summer, and changes made to the operation of the cable car so that the same thing doesn't happen again.
The Cime piste will be groomed so that it can be used by touring skiers to go up, and the Col de l'Audzin will also be pisted and used for descents. Further, from 4th February 2019, the Funitel Péclet will be open to skiers and snowboarders until 6.30pm from Monday to Friday. (It operates anyway for the toboggan).
69 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle are open. The links to Les Menuires and Méribel Mottaret are due to open late. The avalanche risk is 4 out of 5.
It has been mainly cold and sunny conditions this week, but with some snow on Wednesday.
The temperatures at 8am today were -7C at resort level, and -9C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 131cm at resort level, and 165cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 272cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open - the Caron cable car still has a technical problem. 71 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle, and to the other resorts of the 3 Valleys, are open. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
We've had cold and sunny conditions this week, and some snow.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at resort level, and -15C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 126cm at resort level, and 166cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 259cm.
26 of the 27 lifts are open - the Caron cable car has been stuck in the same position for a few days, so presumably has a technical problem. 69 pistes are open out of 77.
The links to Orelle, and to the other resorts of the 3 Valleys, are open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
There's good snow cover, and the snow is fresh and cold.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at resort level, and -8C at the top of the mountain. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 108cm at resort level, and 157cm at 3000m. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 218cm.
All 27 lifts are open, and 65 pistes out of 77.
The links to Orelle, and to the other resorts of the 3 Valleys, are open. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
It was rather too warm in November, and the season opening was delayed from 17th to 24th November 2018. It wasn't cold enough to make sufficient snow for the Skicross course, so the Skicross World Cup scheduled for 4th to 9th December has been cancelled.
There is some snow now, but it doesn't go all that far down the valley. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 50cm at resort level, and 66cm at the top of the ski area.
18 lifts are currently open out of 27, and 27 pistes out of 77. For example, in the Thorens sector, Moraine, Portette, Grand Fond, and Plateau are open, but Col and Funitel de Thorens are closed.
The link to Orelle via boulevard Rosael is open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Marmots, by 3 Vallées chair, 5th May 2018
It has been very warm at the end of the season, with some sunshine, and frequently cloudy afternoons. Today is the last day of the season, and the ski area can be handed over to the marmots.
The temperatures at 8am today were 3C at 2300m, and 1C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is [I don't know because they put a drawing pin over the information]cm at resort level, and 275cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 1006cm.
24 lifts out of 27 were open today, and 57 pistes out of 76.
The links to Orelle were open. The avalanche risk was 3 out of 5.
Marmot, Plein Sud, 23rd April 2018
It was another warm and sunny week. The Foehn wind has picked up today, and the sky has clouded over.
The temperatures at 8am today were 4C at 2300m, and 1C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 198cm at resort level, and 302cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 1006cm.
24 lifts out of 27 are open today - the closed lifts are Pionniers, 3 Valleys chairlift, and Funitel 3 Valleys, all in the Plein Sud sector. The Funitel Péclet has been repaired and is open again. 69 pistes are open out of 76, with the all the closed runs in the Plein Sud sector.
The links to Orelle are open, but the rest of the 3 Valleys has now closed. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Chamois, Pralognan, 16th April 2018
It was a warm and sunny week. Météo France's weather bulletins indicated that the temperatures broke all-time records for the time of year - which is worrying, as we are having ever hotter springs each year, with blazing Aprils.
The temperatures at 8am today were 2C at 2300m, and 3C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 325cm at the top of the ski area. Whoever attached the information sheet outside the Ski Patrol office put a drawing pin over the resort level snow depth figure, so I don't know what it is. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 1006cm.
26 lifts out of 27 are open today. The Funitel Péclet is closed because plastic components on the pylons melted in the heat. As a result, only 69 pistes are open out of 76, with the all the runs down from the Péclet closed.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Ski tracks in the Lac du Lou, Val Thorens, 13th April 2018
It was a windy week, with a SE Foehn wind blowing every day except Friday. There was a little snow too, producing a couple of powder days.
The temperatures at 8am today were 1C at 2300m, and -5C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 250cm at resort level, and 350cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 1000cm (10m).
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Off piste skier, Val Thorens, 6th April 2018
There was sunshine and powder on Sunday afternoon, then clouds and a SW wind in the following days. The sun came back on Friday.
The temperatures at 8am today were 4C at 2300m, and 0C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 265cm at resort level, and 365cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 984cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Touring skier near la Gratte, 31st March 2018
It was a mixed week, with snow, sunshine, warmth (Wednesday), and some SW wind (Friday).
The temperatures at 8am today were -6C at 2300m, and -8C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 260cm at resort level, and 363cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 948cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Alpine Accentor in Val Thorens, 22nd March 2018
There was some snow in the early part of the week, then it was cold and sunny from Wednesday onwards.
The temperatures at 8am today were -6C at 2300m, and -6C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 270cm at resort level, and 357cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 919cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Off piste skier in Val Thorens, 14th March 2018
There were some clouds and snow in the early part of the week. Wednesday was a glorious sunny day with great snow conditions. A strong Foehn wind blew on Thursday, and Friday was mixed.
The temperatures at 8am today were -6C at 2300m, and -9C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 262cm at resort level, and 337cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 896cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Fox near Val Thorens, 9th March 2018
It was one of those weeks where the weather was better than the forecast at the start of the week suggested it would be. It was cloudy with snow, notably on Wednesday night, but there was some sunny weather too. Yesterday (Friday), it was much warmer than it has been for the rest of the winter.
The temperatures at 8am today were 3C at 2300m, and -2C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 250cm at resort level, and 315cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 857cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Red deer stags at Villarenger, 28th February 2018
It was sunny and very cold in the early part of last week. When the airflow changed, with winds from the south instead of the north, we gained about 20C (between Wednesday and Thursday). It snowed on Friday, and it's snowing today.
The temperatures at 8am today were -4.5C at 2300m, and -5.5C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 253cm at resort level, and 305cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 827cm.
All 27 lifts are open today, and all 76 pistes, but Glacier is due to open late.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Fox near Val Thorens, 23rd February 2018
It was quite cold, and mainly sunny, last week. This morning, the Foehn wind is blowing, but it's due to stop this afternoon.
The temperatures at 8am today were -4C at 2300m, and -7C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 240cm at resort level, and 285cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 809cm.
All 27 lifts are open on time today, and all 76 pistes, but Glacier is due to open late.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Val Thorens from Grand Fond, 16th February 2018
In the first half of the week, it was very cold. There were some clouds and snow, and some sunshine. It was a lot warmer from Wednesday, with clouds and wet snow. It's snowing today.
The temperatures at 8am today were 2C at 2300m, and -3C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 239cm at resort level, and 285cm at the top of the ski area. The cumulative snowfall for the season so far is 792cm.
All 27 lifts are open on time today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Panoramic café Caron Val Thorens, 10th February 2018
The SE Foehn wind blew at 40-70kmh at the start of the week. From Wednesday, the wind dropped, and it was sunny in the mountains above a sea of cloud.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at 2300m, and -16C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 220cm at resort level, and 265cm at the top of the ski area.
All 27 lifts are open on time today, and all 76 pistes.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
Mont Blanc from top of 3 Vallées chair, Val Thorens, 2nd February 2018
It was sunny weather for most of the week, but it snowed on Wednesday night and Thursday.
The temperatures at 8am today were -11C at 2300m, and -18C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 240cm at resort level, and 285cm at the top of the ski area.
All 27 lifts are open on time today. 75 pistes are open out of 76, with Fun Slope closed, or opening late.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle are open today. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
Belleville Valley from Haute Combe, 23rd January 2018
It snowed on Sunday and Monday, with the avalanche risk up to 5 out of 5 on Sunday evening. There was some sunshine and warmth in the middle of the week, then the Foehn wind picked up on Friday.
The temperatures at 8am today were -3C at 2300m, and -6C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 245cm at resort level, and 305cm at the top of the ski area.
25 lifts out of 27 opened on time today, with Glacier and Col opening late.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle were open today. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
Snowman, and what every snowman fears - a snow-clearing machine, 18th January 2018
The weather was decent on Sunday and Monday, with some sunshine. The snow started on Tuesday, then due to snow and wind the road and all the lifts were closed on Wednesday. The lifts opened again on Thursday, but it remained mainly snowy.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at 2300m, and -18C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 210cm at resort level, and 225cm at the top of the ski area. There's 15cm of fresh snow (fallen in the 24h to 8am today).
24 lifts out of 27 should open today, with Glacier, Col, and Boismint closed.
The 3 Valley links are open; the link to Orelle via bd Rosael is open, but the links to Orelle via the Cime de Caron and the piste de Lory are closed. The avalanche risk is 4 out of 5.
Les Menuires seen from Geffriand, 12th January 2018
The Foehn wind blew at the start of the week, then it was nice weather towards the end of the week.
The temperatures at 8am today were -6C at 2300m, and -9C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 190cm at resort level, and 210cm at the top of the ski area.
All the lifts were open today, and 75 pistes out of the total of 76 (just Stade Chalets closed).
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle were open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Val Thorens, New Year's Eve (31st December 2017)
That was a funny week. It was snowy and cold at the start of the week, but there were a few hours of sunshine too. Storm Eleanor made itself felt from Tuesday night. Wednesday was windy with wet snow; a lot of snow fell on Wednesday night; then, it was warm and windy on Thursday, with wet snow. Finally, the sun came out on Friday afternoon. The Foehn wind has picked up today.
The temperatures at 8am today were 1C at 2300m, and -5C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 200cm at resort level, and 250cm at the top of the ski area.
Glacier and Col were scheduled to be closed today, and some of the other high lifts were prevented from opening due to the wind. Up to 62 pistes were due to open out of the total of 76.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle were open. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
Snow-covered car in Val Thorens, Saturday 30th December 2017
There was some sunshine at the start of the week, then it was cold and snowy later in the week. It is snowing today.
The temperatures at 8am today were -2C at 2300m, and -5C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 140cm at resort level, with 35cm of fresh snow, and 240cm at the top of the ski area, with 40cm of fresh snow.
Many of the lifts are late opening today as the ski patrol blast to make the ski area safe from avalanches. All the lifts except Col, Glacier, Funitel 3 Vallées and 3 Vallées chair could open. Up to 70 pistes out of the total of 76 could open.
The 3 Valley links and the links to Orelle will either open late or not at all. The avalanche risk is 4 out of 5.
Chalets des 2 Lacs, Saturday 23rd December 2017
It was cold, cloudy, and snowy at the start of the week, then cold and sunny later in the week.
The temperatures at 8am today were -3C at 2300m, and -4C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 120cm at resort level, with 0cm of fresh snow, and 215cm at the top of the ski area, with 0cm of fresh snow.
26 lifts are open out of the total of 27. 70 pistes are open out of 76, and the open pistes include the Funslope, which was open for the first time today.
The 3 Valley links are open, as is the link to Orelle via bd Rosael. Orelle via Lory is shown as closed on the bulletin, although it was open last week. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.
Val Thorens on Tuesday 12th December 2017
It snowed most days this week, with just a few hours of sunshine particularly on Thursday.
The temperatures at 8am today were -8C at 2300m, and -13C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 210cm at resort level, with 10cm of fresh snow, and 240cm at the top of the ski area, with 15cm of fresh snow.
25 lifts are open out of the total of 27, with the Cime de Caron cable car due to open during the morning, and only Glacier and Col closed. 61 pistes are open out of 76.
The 3 Valley links are open, as is the link to Orelle via bd Rosael (but Orelle via Lory is still closed). The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5.
World Cup Skicross in Val Thorens, Thursday 7th December 2017
It was sunny and cold for most of the week, then it snowed on Friday 8th December. It is still snowing today, Saturday 9th December.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at 2300m, and -17C at 3000m. According to the official figures, the snow depth is 110cm at resort level, with 20cm of fresh snow, and 115cm at the top of the ski area, with 25cm of fresh snow.
23 lifts are open out of the total of 27, and 50 pistes out of 76.
The 3 Valley links were due to open today, but because of the snow and bad weather, only the links to Orelle via bd Rosael, and to Les Menuires via Mont de la Chambre, are open. The avalanche risk is 4 out of 5.
Daniel Yule at a giant slalom race in Val Thorens, 28th November 2017
It has been very cold for most of the week, with a little snow most days.
The temperatures at 8am today were -12C at resort level, and -15C at 3000m.
According to the official figures, the snow depth is 85cm in resort, and 110cm at the top of the ski area. 23 lifts are open out of the total of 27, and 43 pistes out of 76.
The 3 Valley links are not yet open, but the link to Orelle via Grand Fond is. The avalanche risk is 3 out of 5 today.
It's the special Grande Première weekend in Val Thorens today and tomorrow, Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th November. It's snowing today, with 10-30cm expected to fall during the day.
The temperatures at 8am today were 3C at resort level, and -2C at 3000m.
According to the official figures, the snow depth is 50cm in resort, and 60cm at the top of the ski area. 21 lifts are open out of the total of 27, and 33 pistes out of 76.
The 3 Valley links are not yet open, but the link to Orelle via Grand Fond is. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5 (but likely to rise as it snows).
Val Thorens opened today, Saturday 18th November. The conditions are very good for the time of year. As well as the natural snow cover, there has been extensive use of snow cannons. The result is that there are no stones showing through, but the pistes are a little icy in places.
The temperatures at 8am were -6C at resort level, and -6C at 3000m.
According to the official figures, the snow depth is 60cm in resort, and 80cm at the top of the ski area. 16 lifts are open out of the total of 27, and 25 pistes out of 76.
The 3 Valley links are not yet open. The avalanche risk is 2 out of 5.