Where to Ski And Snowboard - Avalanche blocks road from Val d’Isère

Avalanche blocks road from Val d’Isère

18th April 2013, by Abi Butcher

The avalanche blocked the road from Val d'Isère and Tignes before the Brévières tunnel

Rising temperatures and sunshine on top of high levels of snow have led to high number of avalanches in the Alps this week.

At 7:45pm on Tuesday evening, a snow slide blocked the road out of Tignes and Val d’Isère at the start of the Brévières tunnel — though it was cleared by 11pm.

Journalist Yolanda Carslaw is in Val d’Isère this week and told WTSS: “There’s stuff coming down everywhere, in gigantic quantities. Quite scary.”

The situation is similar over in the Three Valleys where WTSS editor Dave Watts is skiing in Courchevel with readers of Ski & Snowboard magazine, and its editor Henry Druce.

Henry tweeted a picture of an avalanche saying: “Loads of avalanches in 3 Valleys over the last three days. The one pictured went across piste under Chamrossa chair.

And photographer Adrian Myers, on a shoot in Obergurgl, also tweeted a photo of dozens of avalanches near the Austrian resort, saying: “View of the valley this morning, did not fill me with confidence — always best to be safe!”

But while European resorts get ready to hold their closing parties, Vail, Colorado, announced yesterday that it is reopening this week after five feet of snow fell over the past few days.

“With two feet of new snow since closing day, and more than three feet over the past three days, Vail will reopen!” said a spokesman

The Gondola One, Avanti Express, Mountaintop Express, High Noon Express, Born Free Express, Northwoods Express and Eagle Bahn will be open for skiers from Friday to Monday (21 April). Special lift tickets will cost just $50, with an offer to season pass holders from other resorts of just $25.