Chamonix Mountain Report: 11th March 2013

When I saw last week’s weather on the long range forecast the only part of it that I looked forward to was that I knew the drive would be clear of snow by the end of the week! The thought of what it would do to the skiing conditions filled me with dread. What would the snow pack be like after 5 days of very warm weather with Föhn winds? What eventually materialised however was that the drive did indeed become snow free but the skiing conditions were not nearly as bad as feared.

Last weekend was busy with ski tourers trying to search out the last corners of powder before the rise in temperature turned the powder to something less desirable. Everyone wanted to make the most of the last of the fine weather. We ventured across the border to Switzerland and found fantastic powder over the back of Les Maracottes. A local commented that it had been “tracked out” but compared to Chamonix there was still plenty of room to have fresh tracks.

It all changed on Monday ... The wind got up and the temperature rose. We spent Monday night at the Wildstubel Hutte just outside Crans Montana. We were kept awake most of the night by the wind and had concerns about where the wind would be moving the snow to. Friends had a similar experience after a sleepless night in the Cosmiques Hut. The result appeared to be that most of the off-piste high up was now wind affected and the stuff low down was soft and heavy.

But it didn’t take long for it to come good again. Whilst at times it was raining heavily in Chamonix it was falling as snow up on the hill. The rain snow limit seemed to hover around 1,800m from Wednesday till Friday (just below the mid station at Les Grands Montets). The visibility wasn’t always perfect but this, combined with the fact it was raining in Chamonix, seemed to keep the crowds away.

Conditions from the top bin at Les Grands Montets are now excellent, as are the conditions on the Vallée Blanche. The lifts at Les Grands Montets are now on their spring opening times meaning that first lift is at 08:30. Remember that you can make reservations for both the Midi cable car and the top bin at Les Grands Montets online to avoid queuing.

Touring conditions are good if you are selective about where to go. Fears that the Föhn made the snow high up wind affected and everything low down too wet are in places true, but not everywhere. Yesterday I went up Punta Croce (2,478m) through in Italy and skied excellent snow between 2,400m and 2,000m on north east facing slopes. There had been some recent avalanche activity and we were selective in our route choice. Groups had also been up Mont Colmet (3024m). By the tracks that had been left, the snow was either superb or they were very good skiers! Reports are also of good conditions through in Switzerland. Friends are enjoying a night at the monastery at Grand St Bernard after skiing powder all day. Being able to drive to 1,900m makes this a great venue for when it has been raining at lower altitudes.

It looks like winter is returning this week with the snow limit dropping back to 800m on Wednesday night and the wind turning back to the north. Light snow showers are forecast throughout the week so it appears that conditions will improve both on and off the piste.

Hopefully it’ll not settle on the drive though ...

Alison Culshaw
Off Piste Performance

NB: Off piste skiing and mountaineering are dangerous. The opinions expressed in these articles are very much time and condition specific and the content is not intended in any way to be a substitute for hiring a mountain guide, undergoing professional mountaineering training and/or the individual's own backcountry decision making.