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Summer in the Alps is always glorious, but the heatwave has taken
its toll on the glaciers...
Tignes Glacier
Don't get me wrong, the summer has been fantastic. There has to
be near on 30 locals now so the social life is superb. With the
weather being so great, there have been barbies galore although
Fats hasn't been open. But with the sunshine comes some of the worst
glacier conditions in a long time.
The Tignes glacier has been struggling this year with temperatures
more often than not being higher than zero degrees causing the snow
to melt. Although it is still possible to ski "Is it really worth
it?" is another question entirely. My opinion would be no, but then
I don't have my B.A.S.I to train for or a summer skiing holiday
already booked.
Snow preservation
It has been terrible with people literally being dragged up the
lift with a river running over their feet. With the temperatures
reaching 50 degrees plus in town, the glacier has really suffered,
they might even've closed it already - you'll get more snow at Milton
Keynes! Saying that, it did snow yesterday morning!!
The real question that has to be answered
is "Should the glacier be closed for a couple of years for preservation?".
This has been discussed quite a lot between the locals recently
and the majority seem to agree that it should. Limiting the number
of skiers allowed to ski must of helped somehow and I know the heat
conditions have been extreme this year but still, every year the
glacier is receding further, not helped by those of us whose passion
cannot be held back for six months until the fresh snow arrives
further down the slopes!
Not long 'til winter
The resort closes in 2 weeks along with all the bars (excluding
Pacific), a lot of people are going home for a couple of months
and coming back in November to start it all again. I have to admit,
I've enjoyed the summer more than the winter. Still it's only 92ish
days until the Espace Killy lifts open again and we can all enjoy
another season of fresh tracks, freezing temperatures and vin chaud!
Report by Soph from Mountain
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