Easter

There has been a lot of new snow over the first week-end of the Easter holiday period. In Val d'Isere for example, there has been about 30 cms of new snow in the town, and approximately 50 cms at the top of the mountains. And more snow is forecast over the course of the week, with the freezing level dropping as low as 350 metres during the night of Thursday 01 April.
All this means some great conditions will be available for our guests in April.
We still have some space for the week of 03 - 10 April. What are you waiting for....

Next season already

Although we still have several weeks left for this season, we have already started to take bookings for 2010/11.
As Christmas Day this year falls on a Saturday (our normal change over day), we have had to make alternative plans, and we have had to wait and see what flights would be available. There were several permutations available, and we have finally opted for:
Monday 20 - Monday 27 December
Monday 27 December - Monday 03 January 2011
and then a special 5 day trip for the period Monday 03 - Saturday 08 January.
We will then revert to our normal Saturday -Saturday for the rest of the season.
Prices will be posted on the web site next month, but if you want a quote, then just give us a call.

Snowing...

It's snowing heavily today, and there has probably been about 30 cms. The forecast is for more over the weekend, and once the weather clears conditions should be fantastic again.
For those of you thinking about a holiday in March and April, we have some great prices for the 13th and 20th March http://www.finlayski.com/last_minute_offers.htm,
and we stay open in Val d'Isere up to the 27th April for anybody interested in some Spring skiing.

Last week in Val

Roddy and Sarah Finlay are normally in the office in Scotland, but for the week of 6th - 13th February were let loose onto the slopes of Val d'Isere and Tignes, along with their two children and some friends. It was a COLD week, with temperatures dipping to -15 C in the village, but of course, the snow conditions were just fantastic.

Top of Toviere (2704m) before skiing down into Val Claret.

On several days, we skied with TJ Baird of Alpine Experience, and marvelled in equal measure at his smooth elegance in off piste conditions, and at the number of people that stopped him to say "hello". He badly injured his knee in a ski accident April 2008, and although he might say otherwise, it did not seem to affect his skiing which was as fluid as ever.

Smiles on the Rhododendron run above Tignes les Boisses

To Tignes les Brevieres - the cloud turned out to be sparkles in the air.

A big thank you to Andy and Hamish in Chalet Bivouac for looking after us so well - and I hope Hamish is back on skis this week after his own mishap a few eeks ago when he rearranged his collar bone....

Dining area Chalet Bivouac

To picture Hamish and Andy click through to; Finlays Family Skiing Holiday.

Next week

It was below -20C this morning at 1850 metres in our three resorts, but with 20 centimetres of new snow over the weekend, conditions were just perfect. The forecast for the week is that the freezing level will rise, that there will be new snow off and on all week, with another good dump in all our resorts on Friday.
So things look particularly good for the week of 06 - 13 February, and with prices from just £499, it will be a great time to go skiing. Traditionally, the week before the half term school holiday is always a good bet - great snow conditions and quiet pistes.

Safety

Tragically, there have been some serious accidents in Val d'Isere this week, both offpiste, and a reminder how essential it is to take care and ski with the right people.
The first accident took place on the Gorge du Malpasset, a deep and twisting river, that turns into a fun off-piste run once there has been lots of snow (and avalanches from the surrounding mountains) to cover the river. It should never be attempted until it is full of snow, because there is always a chance of falling or being swept into the river, and this is exactly what happened.
The second accident was apparently a slab avalanche in the area called Grand Vallon. It would appear that a group traversed onto a slope that had already been skied, but crucially, they were much higher up the slope. Just because a slope has some tracks does not necessarily mean that it is safe !
Skiing and boarding off-piste can be fantastic, but it can be dangerous if you put yourself in the wrong places. Read some tips on safety issues.

More from the Scottish office

This is a picture of Maria in the office on Wednesday having yomped her way to the office through knee deep snow. Dedication.....