More details have emerged of Val d’Isère’s unprecedented re-opening of its winter slopes for summer skiing for two weeks from this Saturday, June 3rd.
The resort has announced that the pistes that will re-open – from 7 am to 12 pm daily – include the top of the OK World Cup downhill and the less demanding Verte (snow-conditions permitting).
“Skiers will reach the area by the Funival funicular from La Daille and the slopes will be served by the six-person Marmottes chair just above the Folie Douce; exactly the same as in winter,” a Val d’Isère spokesperson said.
Although Val d’Isère is one of three French ski areas that still open each summer for glacier skiing, this is the first time in the 82 year history of winter sports at the famous French ski village that it will re-open its non-glacier, winter slopes, in summer.
Once the two week period is complete in mid-June, the resort’s Glacier du Pisaillas will re-open for its 2018 season.
The decision to open the winter slopes this June was made after Val d’Isere posted more than nine metres of winter snowfall, more than half-as-much again bas its five year average.
The snow is still lying 245cm deep on the resort’s higher slopes, boosted by mid-May snowfalls of 30cm more (Image below taken 14th May, 2018).
Lift passes will cost from €28 pp per day, or €330 pp for the summer ski season.
