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Don't Believe All You Read in the British Press!

Get the news from people in the know.. right here in the 3 Valleys

featured in News & reviews Author Caroline Sayer, Meribel Reporter Updated

When it comes to reporting snow conditions in the Alps, the British press love nothing better than a good disaster story, whether or not it’s actually true.

This week has seen another example of the press simplifying and then exaggerating what is a complex and varied situation. 

For example, the Mail Online yesterday reported on the Alps being “declared a drought zone”, confusing a local water shortage situation (and ban on using town water in snow cannons) in the Haute Savoie department with the situation all over the Alps. More unforgivably, this over-generalised story was illustrated with Getty images of Méribel taken many weeks ago, wrongly purporting to illustrate current conditions.

Allow us the set the record straight. Méribel is not in the Haute Savoie department. Méribel is the Savoie department where drought conditions have not been declared. Meribel, has enough water to run the snow cannons if necessary and there is no ban on using them. Today, Pascal Sevoz of Mottaret’s S3V lift company confirmed: “There is no lack of water. In the retenue des combes (reservoir), there is over 53,000 cubic metres of water.”

Oliver Desaulty of Méribel lift company, Méribel Alpina, confirmed that his company’s ability to created cultured snow is unaffected as river water is used, refilling the reservoirs when necessary. He said: “Water is taken from the Doron river in strictly regulated amounts. No water is taken from the town water supply.”

Despite a very dry start to the season, les 3 Vallées ski area is still capable of opening the majority of its ski runs – today two hundred and twenty seven runs are open.

In addition, snow is currently falling in Méribel, with more forecast to arrive over the coming week.

If you want accurate reports on snow conditions, ask the people who really know, those of us who live and work in the resort.