Chamonix Snow Report: 10th April 2008

The conditions for riding and skiing have been, and remain superb, with each modest deposit falling onto fresh snow that is still soft. This is way better than heavier falls onto hardpack. The downside is that there have been a lot of days when the wind has been strong and the cloud low. The rising temperatures have also meant that at lower altitudes the snow can be stiff, crusty or heavy.

Fortunately much of the riding and skiing in Chamonix is high up and that is where the best snow will increasingly be found as the season draws to its inevitable close on the 11th May. It is unlikely that the official closing dates will be extended however good the conditions might be, as essential maintenance is carried out in this “interseason” ready for the summer season.

For the record the lifts are due to close on the following dates,
-Le Tour, Brevent, Flegere; 27th April.
Note the Flegere Cable car, plus Trapp and Index chair will run until the 5th May
-Grands Montets 11th May
-The Midi is not due to close.
Fuller details Here

A trip to Grands Montets yesterday was typical of what I have described above. We had had 15cm of fresh snow on Tuesday. The atmospheric conditions at the top of Grands Montets were challenging. The cable car was hit by a gust of wind that sounded and felt like we had been hit by a car! The visibility was poor, and certainly discouraged us from venturing off piste here. The snow however was fantastic, soft and light; a ski stick could be pushed into it right up to the handle.

Lower down the off piste snow was still powder, a little stiffer and chopped, but still good. On piste the snow was soft, light and fast. I would best describe it as soft packed powder and provided the best of the sport yesterday. On the home run in the afternoon we found full on spring snow, verging on slush in some places, but it was not grabby and still great fun to ski on.

Apologies for the gloomy photos but it was that sort of day.

The avalanche threat level according meteo France is due to drop to 2, moderate and is due to stay at that level for tomorrow, but look out for local conditions posted at the lift stations. The forecast is for more unsettled weather.

Avalanche Update, the avalanche couloirs which slash through the forest between Plan Joran and the home run the Pierre a Ric are in a dangerous state, one has slide today onto the piste, some control work has been carried out but you would be well advised to avoid them and similar low altitude gullies with the same aspect. The avalanche threat level was posted at Grands Montets as 3, considerable.

Check out what to do around town once the lifts have closed with our latest Apres Ski Report - a weekly round up of what's hot and where to party in Chamonix!