With the exception of a brief half-term opening by Les 2 Alpes, Tignes has been the only French ski area open for snowsports for nearly two months.
That finally ends in a little over a week when Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort, is scheduled to open on 24 November 2012.
The chance of opening on time are looking much better this autumn than last when opening weekend celebrations had to be cancelled as warm weather stopped the resort from opening. Snow was made but a gap in the snowmaking between resort and slopes stopped it happening.
New snowmaking this winter should stop any recurrence of the problem, but in any case natural snow cover is currently looking good with 30cm lying at resort level and 60cm at the top of the slopes.
It's a full on pre-Christmas month at Val Thorens too. Opening weekend, 24-25 November, sees the Ski Force Winter Tour giving every skier in resort for the start of the season the chance to test the new models of more than 16 top ski manufacturers for free and benefit from professional advice. (Black Crows, Blizzard, Dynastar, Elan, Ficher, Head, K2, Kastle, Line, Movement, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon, Scott, Völkl, White Doctor)
Then on 1-2 December 2012 the Rock on Snowboard Tour gives snowboarders a chance to test new gear from over 25 brands as well as getting tips from pro riders. And when the slopes close, the party starts with live concert every night.
Ski Force Winter Tour Pack are available from €84 per person and Rock on Snowboard Tour Pack is from €90 per person and includes two nights' accommodation in a studio apartment for 4 people (fully occupied) + 2-day Val Thorens/Orelle ski pass and access to ski equipment tests – book direct online.
A fortnight later on 17-18-19 December 2012 the first Ski Cross World Cup will be staged in Val Thorens.
Bolstered by its experience organising several European Ski Cross Cups, Val Thorens has climbed up a step on the podium and is set to welcome the Ski Cross World Cup for the first time.
This is the first European stage of the World Cup, a spectacular event on a run designed especially for the occasion by renowned shaper Nicolas Vaudroz. In preparation for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the best riders from around the world will be competing.