3 Valleys Lift & Piste Openings + Safety in the Alps

Getting close to 100% opening across The 3 Valleys now with a see of green open symbols across the piste maps. As usual there’s always some Stade pistes closed for competition use and the odd lift closed for maintenance reasons.

Currently across the Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel and Mottaret area the only closed pistes are the lower St Bon and Villages runs plus the Carabosse piste in 1650. The Tetras free ride area at the far side of 1650 is also officially closed.

At noon today 158 out of 159 lifts were running and all 72 green pistes were open with 136 out of 140 blue runs open.

The Escapade in a Day challenge has sen a few attempts already this season – updates soon.

Or for an easier day out try the Selfie’s in a Day tour…

Avalanche Safety
Very sad news from Tignes on Monday regarding the fatalities in an off piste avalanche over there.

While The Daily Telegraph sends out crazy emails with the title “Is it safe to Ski in The Alps?” we’d like to re-assure everyone that it is safe and avalanches on to pistes during opening hours are extremely rare if ever. These are managed and controlled areas where safety is of paramount importance. In addition, in the Courchevel ski area we’ve seen pisteurs insist on checking avalanche transceivers, closing lifts that access off piste areas and standing by roped off areas to prevent skiers heading in to danger (a sign and rope is often not enough unfortunately).

Off piste skiing will always carry an element of risk, even though in Tignes there was an experience guide and the snowboarders involved were well equipped. Please take care and think – even just going one at a time through marginal areas reduces risk and increases the immediate search team and chances of finding people.

Plenty of good information is available on-line – a good starting point here