Ski resorts open in French Alps

Since early December, Val d’Isere, Val Thorens and Isola 2000 were the only resorts in the French Alps with enough snow to welcome skiers; the others had to wait for Mother Nature to cooperate.

After last week’s heavy snowfall of 20 to 23 inches (50 to 60 cm), 20 more French ski resorts have opened their doors this past weekend. Among them: La Plagne, Les Arcs, Flaine, Peisey-Vallandry, Chamonix, Les Contamines, La Clusaz, Alpe d’Huez, Chamrousse, and six of the seven resorts in Les Trois Vallées.

Last weekend, Courchevel gave away free passes for their opening weekend. Of all the Alpine resorts, Val d’Isere has already had some of the best early skiing of the season, while Val Thorens managed to open only a week later than expected. Verbier opened Lac de Vaux to skiers at the end of November.

This coming Saturday (December 17) the list of open resorts will also include Les Arcs, Avoriaz, Chamonix Grands Montets, Chatel, Flaine, Les Menuires, Meribel, Orelle, Peisey-Vallandry, La Plagne, La Tania, Alpe d’Huez and Valloire.

According to Météo France, most of the resorts above 1,500 meters will receive snow over the coming days, and these accumulations should be enough for the rest of the season.