French Ski Resorts Courchevel and Alpe d’Huez have announced they’ll be opening from tomorrow Friday 12th November and this weekend, several weeks early, due to all the fresh snow that has fallen and continues to fall.
Courchevel, which released the video above about its early opening says it will run its lifts free of charge tomorrow, but that it is expecting up to a foot more snow and warned drivers to be prepared with chains in their cars.
Alpe d’Huez will open parts of its ski area three weeks in advance of the original date, thanks to recent snowfall and efficient slope preparation.
Alpe d’Huez originally planned to open from Saturday 3rd December, the opening of parts of the ski area will now take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November, as well as the following weekends of 19-20th November and 26–27th November.
Three slopes will be open covering more than 5km between 2700m and 1800m, totalling a height difference of 900m.
“The snow conditions are excellent. It’s rare that we have such great conditions in order to open as early as this.” said Francois Badjily, Director of the Tourist Office.
The DMC 1 & 2 and Télémixte du Rif Nel “Le Rif Nel Express” will be open serving the Le Couloir (blue slope of 2.5 km), Les Jeux (green slope of 1.6 km) and Piste du Rif Nel (green slope of 1.1 km). A day pass will be priced from 18€ with a weekend pass costing 30€.