French Ski Season Underway
French Ski Season Underway
Published : 23-Nov-2024 09:16
The French ski season is underway with Tignes and Val Thorens the first two resorts to open this morning. Both resorts report snow depths at the metre mark on their highest slopes after heavy snowfall earlier this week ended a long spell of dry, sunny weather.
Val Thorens has the most terrain open posting 23km of slopes available for its 'Grande Premiere' opening weekend.
"Thanks to the return of the cold, the continuous snowfall this week and the work of all the teams, for the occasion of La Grande Première: Funitel Péclet, Funitel Grand fond, Moraine, Cascade, Lac Blanc, Portette, Cairn lifts as well as four magic carpets are operating," a Val Thorens spokesperson said.
The Cime Caron Motte cable car is currently closed whilst an investigation is carried out following an accident with workers when the lift was under manual control on Tuesday. The resort has been keen to stress that operations then were different to the fully automated safety functions normally in place when the lift is open to the public.
"The cable car was in construction mode to transport workers for work at heights. This mode of operation, partly manual, is very different from the complete automation used during the season for transporting skiers. Our thoughts and support go out to those affected by this accident," the spokesperson added.
Tignes reports 10km of slopes open initially. The Palet, Tovière, Grande Motte and Aiguille Percée sectors are open with more than a dozen chairlifts in operation.
"The Grand Motte cable car will be closed. Planned reopening soon for Lanches and Vanoise following yesterday's snowstorm," a Tignes spokesperson said on Thursday.
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