And in the Beginning... There was the Marmotte Times
While going through some old CD's at Powdermonkey, I came across some old issues of the Marmotte Times - The predecessor of the Mountain Echo. It wqas produced by one man band Marmotte Matt, and it was in black and white. The format remains similar, with the pages being filled by mostly stories of Val d'Isere nights, and a bit about skiing. Below are a couple of sample pics, and for anyone that is interested about readin the news from 5 years ago, follow the links below.
School Holidays start in Val d'Isere 12/02/2008
The French school holidays have started. The town is full of Paris car number plates & parking is at a premium.
On the plus side, it has been sunny all week and the Switch Rodeo Bar has got cider on tap and Magners in bottles.
Coupe de Mond Men's Downhill race - Val d'Isere 01/02/2008
Today in Val d'Isere the Men's downhill on the Face was postponed until Sunday due to the amount of snow on the course.
Our man on the inside, Ed Winchester said "The course is incredibly challenging and with the amount of snow that has fallen and current visibility conditions, it would be just too dangerous.
Once the course has been set and prepared it is impossible to use any machinery to clear the snow that has fallen as the gates can not be moved between practice and the event. The snow clearing must be done by hand and shovel. The weather forecast is set to clear and with the amount of man power on hand for the event it looks set to go ahead tomorrow."
It's snowing again in Val d'Isere 06-12-2008
That's right folks, It's snowing again. The way things are going, it looks like this could be the 50 year dump for Val d'Isere. We think there are enough snow photos on this page already, so here are some archive pics, courtesy of the boys at The Mountain Echo Val d'Isere's local news paper. Left to right - The Mountain Echo's own Mark Beattie in Pisteurs couloir, an aerial shot of Val d'Isere village, and Pisteurs couloir itself.
Happy New Year Val d'Isere 01-12-2008
Val d'Isere saw the new year in typical style. The many bars and nightclubs stayed open extra late, with the Petit Danois and Blue Note bars going through to the VERY VERY early morning. Annadin anyone ?
How about this for a Val d'Isere warm up
It's always a good idea to warm up prior to getting stuck into a long days riding. A Good warm up run for intermediates - boarders and skiers alike, in Val d'Isère is to start by taking the Olympic telecabine, drop down the Verte to the Borsat Chair lift. From the top of the Borsat take Genepy down the Grand Pre and from the top of the Grand Pre drop down to the Fontaine Froid. From the top of the Fontaine froid will find yourself back where you started at the drop off point of the Olympic and you will be warmed up and ready to tackle the O.K. or Diabold heading to either the snowpark or Tignes. Remember to always check your intended route prior to setting off, checking for lift and piste closures. For those staying in La Daille the same route can be accessed by starting on the Funiculaire rather than the Olympic. Enjoy and be safe.
Work continues on the road to Val d'Isere - 22nd December 2007
Workers are installing a new type of security netting on the road from Bourg St Maurice. According to the installation engineer; "The new netting can prevent larger rock falls than before, and is less likely to break during large "breakaways" of rock."
On the Buses Val d'Isere style 21st December 2007
The Val d'Isere FREE bus service is now fully operational. The buses run from La Daille to Fornet every 5 minutes, from 8am to 8pm. From 8pm to 2.15am they run every half hour, leaving La Daille on the hour and half past. The bus station pictured below is in the centre of Val d'Isere. All buses for Geneva, Lyon and Chambery leave from here. Beware, that although there is a bus stop in La Daille, these buses do not always stop there. Allow an extra half hour to catch your airport bus if you are staying in La Daille, and will need to get into town first.
It's a BLUEBIRD !! 14 December 2007
A view of the top of Bellevarde taken from La Daille. 2 metres of fresh snow and not a cloud in the sky. Today is going to be a good day.
The Folie Douce - Val d'Isere !! 12 December 2007
The snow has stopped but it is still a little overcast. The Folie Douce is out side the top of the "Telecabine de La Daille at around 2100m.
Is it too much snow? Maybe ! 10 Dec 2007
Over the last 4 days nearly two metres of snow has fallen, making this the undisputed best start to the season for 10 years. The town is starting to fill up with late seaonnaires and tourists. The words "Sick mate just ~@#+?/> SICK", "It's PUKING" and "My day was better than your whole life!" have been heard. Reports of waist deep powder and top to bottom fresh tracks are coming in thick and fast.
Is it too much snow? We don't think so. 9th December 2007
Far from abating, snowfall has increased with a further 40cm falling overnight. This is indeed a "megadump". Unfortunately the "Criterium" ski race, which was to be a test of the slope that is being developed for the 2009 FIS world ski championships was cancelled two days before the snow started.
It's snowing again in Val d'Isère ! 06 Dec 2007
Once again it is snowing in Val d'Isère. From around 7.30 this morning it has been snowing continuously, and although it getting heavier, the snow itself seems to be a little damp. Reports from skiers and snownboarders say that it is a little windy at the top of the mountain. 10 cm of snow fell last night and another 15 cm is forecast for today. This should form an excellent base layer.
A view from the top of the Tommeuses lift looking toward Solais and Fornet
This photo was take by Val d'Isere saisonniere and chef at the soon to open Switch Bar in Val d'Isère.
It's still snowing in Val d'Isere. 4th Dec 2007
Although momst of the lifts were shut this morning, the resort promises to open many more lifts this afternoon. The Solaise express, the Fornet telepherique and the la Daille cabine will all be open later. Over the last 48 hours Val d'isere has received approximately 40cm of snow, giving us the best start to the season for more than five years.
Below is a view of the Solaise ski area in Val d'Isere, from the Rond Point Des Pistes
It's snowing in Val d'Isere, it's official. 3rd Dec 2007
Following the resort opening on the 1st December, nature has done us proud and the snow has arrived. It looks like it should stay cold enough to retain ideal conditions - unlike last season.
According to snow-forecast.com the snow fall is predicted to last until Tuesday morning with the wind dropping and the cloud clearing out for a good day on Wednesday.
Val d'Isère opens for the 2007 / 2008 winter season on the 1st Dec 2007
As of the the 1st Decemeber Val d'Isère opened it's lifts, with a moderate offering of the Pisaillas glacier sector of La Fornet, the Tignes laison and OK and Creux pistes open - still the resort is opening a week earlier than last year, so the signs are looking good!
The resort opening was marked with live music courtesy of the "Disco Power Band", free mulled wine and free ski and board trials at the foot of La Daille on Saturday and Sunday. Ski trials featured Zag skis, Völkl, amongst others.
The test centre in La Daille
Just bring your passport or other photo ID and you will be issued with a "tester" card enabling you test all this years news skis and snowboards.
