We asked Powder n Shine, experts in the Three Valleys, for their ideas on where to find the best December skiing and this is what they told us!
Snow-sure December skiing in high altitude Reberty!
With the understandable wariness that follows the late arrival of snow in both 2014 and 2015, one thing is becoming increasingly advisable for Christmas (and earlier in December) ski holidays:
AIM HIGH!!
One example is the quaint and attractive village of Reberty, based above Les Menuires at high altitude – 2000m, which is one of the most snow-sure places in Europe, throughout the duration of the season. Even in those tricky years, chalets in that particular spot were open from the second week in December (the first scheduled week of the season), able to capitalise on the proximity of Val Thorens – Europe’s highest ski resort – where necessary.
These two pictures were taken on December 1st 2015 last winter. As you can see there is plenty of snow AND topped up with the excellent facilities of the snow cannons!
The fantastic job that the local pisteurs manage to do should also not be under-estimated – though this is potentially more visible at the end of the season when snow may not have fallen for a few weeks. Together with the vast network of snow cannons across the resort (Les Menuires has 418 cannons for its 160km of pistes), they ensure that the pistes can stay linked and open from the first week right until the end of April, earning the resort the “Guaranteed Snow” title.
As an industry, we are hoping that this year will be third time lucky in regards to the arrival of the first substantial snowfall, but if the late arrival of snow trend does continue, there are ways to enjoy European skiing from early December.
