 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello wise people,
I am flying into Geneva on Friday with my two teens.
Idea was to go boarding for Sat and Sun, in either Chamonix, Tignes or Val Thorens. Chamonix just confirmed they won’t open (come on! Argentiere will get the most snow this week!)
We will rent a car at the airport. Considering it will snow heavily Tue-Fri and on Friday in the valley as well, is it easier to drive to Tignes or Val Tho in those conditions? I have driven to both in the past, but weather was easy so I didn’t pay much attention. Plan B would be to sleep Friday night in the valley and head up Sat morning in daylight.
I have never put on chains on a car but the rental should have snow tyres (and have chains also).
What shall I do the maximize my chances of being out on the powder on Sat at 9am?
Plan C is Switzerland (Diablerets/Glacier 3000 or Saas Fee) but my budget would like France better.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Tignes would be the better bet for powder as its glacier skiing is higher than Val Thorens, but early snow can be wet anywhere.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@MsFeelgood, just looking at the snow forecast for Val Thorens on Bergfex, it looks like a good metre of snow of due between Tuesday and Friday night. With freezing levels down to 400m, the snow quality at resort level (2300m) should be pretty good.
I think it comes down to how late you can make the decision and hopefully work out which resort got the better dump.
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@MsFeelgood, Tignes it's got better skiing than Val Thorens IMHO and has slightly higher altitude skiing. Plus the links to the other valleys and Les Menuires won't be open this early in the season. That said the same can be said for the links to Val d'Isere/La Daille from Tignes.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks all,
Just to clarify that I am not worried of there not being powder - I am worried of how to get to it! The snow conditions will be exceptional, snow even in Albertville and from there all the way to the top, there may be cars stuck if road is tricky. Hence my question: which resort has easier access road in this regard?
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There isn't much difference between the 2 access roads. They're both long and gradual rather than steep and switchbacky. If I really had to pick one to drive in horrendous conditions, it would probably be Val Tho, but you're really splitting hairs. Random stuff and difficult conditions can happen on both roads. Tignes resort is a couple of hundred metres lower though, which means less of the "worst" conditions. They're pretty good at clearing both roads.
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Orelle for VT might be an option to avoid snowy roads:
https://www.les3vallees.com/en/live/lifts-and-trails-opening/orelle
Link seems to suggest Orelle opening on Saturday 23rd and the wind is forecast to be light on Saturday so gondola should have no probs.
You would need to double check what will actually be open but might be worth a go.
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This is nice intel! Never thought about Orelle, i will call them tomorrow to see what they say. We travel only with backpacks so could leave car down in Orelle and come back to it on Sunday evening.
Also good to know that Tignes and VT have similar access roads, I would then rather choose Tignes as I like the domain better and was ran into by a drunk skier in VT last time, leaving longterm trauma and one death tooth 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@MsFeelgood, You'd be in a bad position if the links to Orelle rom VT were closed because of bad/windy weather on the Sunday if your car was parked in Orelle. It's a long and expensive (if in a taxi) journey from VT to Orelle. Go to Tignes and learn how to put on chains if necessary.
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Yeah, i just looked at the piste map. Cannot take that risk.
So they can ask you to put on chains, even if you have winter tyres?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@MsFeelgood, Yes as far as I'm aware that is still the law in the alpine regions of France that you are required to carry either snow chains or snow socks during winter months even if you have winter tyres on your vehicle. Others on here will be able to confirm if this still is in fact the case.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I’d hang on a bit, yes there is going to be a lot of snow but it’s coming with a lot of wind. It will be difficult to do piste preparation until later on Friday. Wait and see what the resorts are promising on Friday before making a decision.
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@MsFeelgood, I hate to say but I think you've been a bit optimistic! let's see what arrives.
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You know it makes sense.
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I called Tignes earlier today and they told me that the glacier had already been open this last weekend for alpine pro teams. And that they will certainly open at least the glacier also next weekend, potentially more also, depending on snow. So the base prep has been done, the snow can come!
I am leaning towards driving to Bourg St Maurice on Friday evening, and then up on Sat morning. Feels safer that way.
Keep your fingers crossed 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I don't know about Tignes but Val Thorens generally do a fantastic job of snow management for their opening weekend. So even if half the amounts come in, and lots of wind, I still reckon the slopes will be in great shape. Whether there will be powder is another question.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@MsFeelgood, The base prep in Tignes has been done on 3 runs. People were skiing down what will become Double M, as yet it has no piste poles cos the snow is not deep enough. The glacier will be open, providing the wind abates on Saturday. If nothing else is open you will spend an age in queues. Of course, both resorts will do what is humanly possible, but currently, other than the glacier there is not enough snow to put piste poles in.
Live piste opening here:
https://bulletin.lumiplan.pro/bulletin.php?station=tignes®ion=alpes&pays=france&lang=fr
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for the insights, good to know. We remain optimistic, and are used to queueing for the funi at Val Claret. We don’t need that many pistes, just need to get out on the snow and get some frest mountain air. Just booked the last hotel room available at our chosen hotel for Sat in Tignes. In the worst case we spend Sat in Val Tho and drive to Tignes for Sunday. Or vice versa. It is going to be good!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Tignes easier that VT I would say. More gradual rise all the way from BSM. And better ski area considering VT will be limited to VT and Orelle.
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| Quote: |
Yes as far as I'm aware that is still the law in the alpine regions of France that you are required to carry either snow chains or snow socks during winter months even if you have winter tyres on your vehicle. Others on here will be able to confirm if this still is in fact the case
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Not quite correct. You are only required to have winter tyres OR chains but when it's very snowy you still can be required to put chains on winter tyres before being allowed up the mountain. So yes, if it's really snowy, chains might be essential on anything but a 4WD. But you have teens? Get them to watch some videos and learn how to put on chains. One wheel each. It's not rocket science. they can practice in the garage at Gva airport - and that way you discover if they've given you the wrong size chains (it happens).
Hope you have a lovely few days - very exciting!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Re chains. If the police say you have to put chains on then you either put them on, irrespective of tyres or 4 wheel drive, or are sent back down the mountain. In 4 seasons in Tignes it only happened to me once - I had chains, but plenty were sent back down to BSM.
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@MsFeelgood, sounds like a fab weekend in prospect.
If your main concern is road access, I’d stick with Tignes for the whole trip, as you’ve already booked accommodation there for Saturday night.
If road conditions are reasonably clear, then Val Tho to Tignes is under 2 hours. As you say though, you’re expecting a lot of snow, right down to the valley. So that same journey, after a day snowboarding at Val Tho, could be quite gruelling.
I understand the attraction of fitting in both areas on a weekend trip but think your original plan was more straightforward. Stay somewhere in, or close to Tignes, on Friday night. BSM not a bad place to while away some time, if you have to wait for road clearance on Saturday morning.
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Having been to 3V and Tignes multiple times, this is a no-brainer: Tignes.
1. The funicular runs even with wind over 100 kmh, closing lifts is for pussies 
2. Average height of the ski area is 200 metres higher, less chance of draining wet clothes
3. Better area for advanced
4. Whatever the case, the whole area Grande Motte > Toviere > Bellevarde will be open, that is twice the size of the bowl of ValTho
5. Treeline skiing over La Daille is better
6. If snow level lowers, the new fast chair from Les Boisses and the magnificent Aiguille Perceel piste
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| Onnem wrote: |
Having been to 3V and Tignes multiple times, this is a no-brainer: Tignes.
6. If snow level lowers, the new fast chair from Les Boisses and the magnificent Aiguille Perceel piste |
This hasn't been open for the PSB in the last two / three years so highly unlikely it will be open this weekend.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| MsFeelgood wrote: |
Hello wise people,
I am flying into Geneva on Friday with my two teens.
I have never put on chains on a car but the rental should have snow tyres (and have chains also). |
That “should have snow tyres” is a worry. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been sent out with summer tyres from Geneva airport! It’s worth absolutely nailing that one down before travelling. Same with snow chains as they charge a bomb to add as extra.
Viz getting teens trained up- well worth it! Last year it was a breeeze watching my two digging the car out of 1m of snow in the hotel car park and fitting the chains while I hugged a large coffee!
Have a great trip- we’re off to Cervinia in a couple of weeks and
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According to wepowder, the best forecasting site
https://wepowder.com/nl/dorpen/tignes-les-boisses#aiguille-percee
33 cm fresh snow in Les Boisses, rain first, then snow
120 mid mountain
160 on grande motte
So probably not sufficient to get to Les Boisses (33 cm is nothing).
But certainly sufficient for down to La Daille and Val.
With 120-150 fresh, the problem is going to be avalanche safety closings.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Val d’Isere is not opening yet.
We will definitely practise the chains here at home, have a pack that I never needed to use with my own car. I will also call the car rental to make sure they have everything ready for me.
Thanks for all the hints! I may report back how it went. Sunny forecast for Sat and Sun
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Onnem, even if snow OK down to Les Boisses, would the Liftco bother staffing and running the chairlift?
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| Onnem wrote: |
Having been to 3V and Tignes multiple times, this is a no-brainer: Tignes.
1. The funicular runs even with wind over 100 kmh, closing lifts is for pussies
2. Average height of the ski area is 200 metres higher, less chance of draining wet clothes
3. Better area for advanced
4. Whatever the case, the whole area Grande Motte > Toviere > Bellevarde will be open, that is twice the size of the bowl of ValTho
5. Treeline skiing over La Daille is better
6. If snow level lowers, the new fast chair from Les Boisses and the magnificent Aiguille Perceel piste |
I'm guessing you've not been to Tignes early season? I've skied in Tignes in December several times and have fallen out of love with it at that time of year. Even by then, it feels like the lift co are only very begrudgingly starting to open lifts on the Tignes side.
Nothing in the Les Boisses direction will be open this weekend and I'd guess at only the glacier and Double M. With Val d'Isere also not opening, so no Belvedere, La Dailles etc, it will be very restricted skiing. The OP is aware of this and content with this so that's great.
Tignes seem to be making a bit of a thing of opening day:
https://en.tignes.net/events/highlights/grand-opening
but I'd certainly be heading over to Val Thorens for my free breakfast and ski test etc:
https://www.valthorens.com/en/temps-fort/la-grande-premiere/
(Admittedly, I've never been to Val Thorens early season but at the end of season they keep things running really well.)
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You know it makes sense.
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Both are great imo for this last week in November. We regularly keep this week free for a last minute, early season opportunity. Have skied with Club Med in November several times.
Yes, both resorts are somewhat limited in lifts, etc. but if you accept that it is opening week and extremely early season for most then I'm just glad for any skiing.
Looks like the snow gods are on your side this week also so have a blast.
If I hadn't booked Eurotunnel for next Thursday and got all my driving plans, etc. lined up with a mate, I'd be chomping at the bit to head off tomorrow.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| stevomcd wrote: |
There isn't much difference between the 2 access roads. They're both long and gradual rather than steep and switchbacky. If I really had to pick one to drive in horrendous conditions, it would probably be Val Tho
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les Menuires to Val Tho is a wind exposed high mountain road that can close for days due to drifts and avalanche risk.
I don't think there is going to be an issue though. Snow on Tuesday and a little bit more on Thursday so not going to be snowmaggedon.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| At 8pm yesterday MsFeelgood wrote: |
| It is going to be good! |
Such wonderful positive waves.
With that attitude you can hardly go wrong.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
The funicular runs even with wind over 100 kmh, closing lifts is for pussies
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I've spent several days stuck in Tignes in October with the whole of the top closed by high winds. We just had to go for a walk. And found that one of the only restaurants open had run out of red wine.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Origen wrote: |
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The funicular runs even with wind over 100 kmh, closing lifts is for pussies
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I've spent several days stuck in Tignes in October with the whole of the top closed by high winds. We just had to go for a walk. And found that one of the only restaurants open had run out of red wine. |
Dear god !
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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 That was on an Inside Out coaching holiday, staying in the much-missed, cheap and very cheerful, Mountainsun place. IIRC of four days skiing, we only got two - was still good though the snowless lower reaches of Tignes on a cloudy, windy, autumn day have little to commend them.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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A couple of years ago I had an interesting journey up the Vanoise chair that comes out at the same place as the funicular in Tignes. They closed it for high winds shortly after I got on. The wind really picked up while I was on it and it took half an hour to get up to the top with various pauses for the bigger gusts. I could see the lift staff celebrating when I made it off at the top. It was a bit of a wild ride 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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there has been an accident on the Cime De Caron today so that may not even be open at the weekend
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@stefoy4me, yes, not good. Too much wind maybe although the prefet says pilot error.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
The funicular runs even with wind over 100 kmh, closing lifts is for pussies
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I've spent several days stuck in Tignes in October with the whole of the top closed by high winds. We just had to go for a walk. And found that one of the only restaurants open had run out of red wine. |
Then the winds must have been hurricane force!
I have been going up, and my train was the last they let go up.
After having skied down the "Double M" I saw a sign that the gusts on top were 130 kmh!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Markscotski wrote: |
| @MsFeelgood, Tignes it's got better skiing than Val Thorens IMHO and has slightly higher altitude skiing. Plus the links to the other valleys and Les Menuires won't be open this early in the season. That said the same can be said for the links to Val d'Isere/La Daille from Tignes. |
I disagree.
OK, the highest point of Tignes, The Grande Motte, is above the highest point of Val Tho but there are 5 points in the VT lift system above 3000m whereas there's only the one in Tignes. The Grande Motte is very vulnerable to being closed by weather while most of the high altitude lifts n VT can run in up to 90km/h winds. SETAM, the VT liftco has patents on lift technologies they co-designed to run better at high altitude in bad weather.
Personally I much prefer the skiing in VT.
Similarly I wouldn't be too concerned about the connection to Orelle being closed. The Grand Fond funitel runs up to quite high wind speeds and the newer Funitel Thorens goes even better: 90km/h, I believe.
I have done the journey from VT to Orelle after the lifts closed (not due to weather but due to our skiing too long) and we did most of the journey by train as there's a line from Albertville that goes down the Maurienne Valley. Not my first choice to end the day but very far from a disaster.
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OK guys, let’s not make this post a fight about what resort is better. We are snowboarders and prefer Tignes by far. VT may be better for skiers, I don’t know. And I say this with a lot of experience, having spent one season in Meribel about 20 years ago. Nevertheless, I would have gone to VT if the access would have been far easier in conditions that can be expected on Friday.
Winds don’t look too bad for the weekend, and I am confident there will be enough terrain open even if the top of Grand Motte is closed.
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