Perfect Pistes and Weather to Match

With the last recorded snowfall being as recent as last Thursday, the pistes are running beautifully and should continue to do so in the immediate future.

Since Friday morning conditions on- and off-piste have actually changed very little. There is a decent layer of grippy soft snow on the majority of the pistes which provides a little playfulness, but primarily increases your confidence in being able to turn and stop. I have struggled to find icy patches anywhere across the resorts, with harder areas being few and far between. Considering the influx of holidaymakers, it is really not super-busy on the mountain, and the snow conditions are staying consistently pleasant.

The Pistes

Following on from my report at the end of last week, almost every run is open across Les Arcs. There is now a wealth of newly-opened black runs in the Arc 2000 sector, with Combes and Genepy joining Dou de l’Homme and Lanches which opened before the weekend started. Malgovert, the “Natur” red run from the Comborciere lift is now officially accessible to the public, providing a more technical challenge than the other steep wide reds above Arc 1600. Whereas for most of the season they seem to have taken turns, now both the Boarder Bleu and Boarder Rouge runs are open, giving you a practice-ground full of twists, turns, rollers and jumps to keep that Olympic dream alive.

Snow conditions are so good at the moment that it is much harder to find a “bad” piste than a “good” one; for all abilities, and on all classifications of run, the snow really could not be much better. At the far end of Peisey-Vallandry, Combe is still pretty thin. Below Arc 1600, Bois de la Saul has a couple of (easily avoided) bare patches. Other than those examples, you are generally in for a good ride.

The softer conditions are more forgiving underfoot but also generally a touch slower. Some usually flat runs have accumulated soft moguls on their steeper sections, so try to approach ridges with caution, even on otherwise innocuous blue runs (you might be surprised by what is on the other side). If going at speed is your thing, try Belette, Cachette, Arandelières, or most of the red runs dropping down into Peisey-Vallandry. However, be aware that they might suddenly get a bit choppy where previous skiers have begun to weave.

The Off-Piste

Considering there has been three days since the last snowfall, and probably a couple of days more since the last real “dump,” the off-piste has been somewhat underused. It is true that you are not going to be riding long lines of fresh powder, however you can still leave a nice track in many places above Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and even over on the Grand Col. The less-tracked routes still have soft stuff on them, although there is likely to be a crispy top layer to get through first. For real “backcountry” riding, make sure you have the correct equipment, stay abreast of the avalanche risk and consider hiring a guide.

The Weather

The sun is likely to come out most days and temperatures will rise in the short-term. The approaching week will definitely be one for taking sunscreen, shades and drinking water wherever you go. By the end of the week it should cool down again bringing cloud, and potentially snow, back into the picture. The largely clear skies may result in harder pistes in the morning, with the top layer softening once it is exposed to the sunshine. Visibility is likely to be very good every day. Now we are into February, the lifts are open longer, allowing you to enjoy more time on the pistes every afternoon. With excellent snow conditions throughout Les Arcs, use that extra time wisely.

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