A woman wearing sunglasses is riding a bike in the woods

The sun is shining through the trees on a path

A snowboarder is doing a trick on a snowy slope

A woman stands next to a bicycle on a dirt path

Chamonix Snow Report: 12th April 2011

featured in Snow report Author Kieran Sharp, Updated 24 October 2014

So, the end is nigh; the snow has been fast disappearing over the past week with summer-like temperatures being felt across the Alps. This has unfortunately lead most resorts without glaciers to close early, so just as the Easter holidays begin the only option for people in this region of the Alps is the Grand Montets in the Chamonix Valley!

Thankfully I live a snowball's throw away from this lift - although there isn't much snow to throw at the moment! They have been doing an amazing job on this mountain, which is frequently one of the last to close for the arrival of summer. They have been blowing up slopes off piste to the piste, dragging snow from places they never thought of before, and thinking of new ways to get everyone who is drawn to this pleasurable valley up the hill and riding the slopes as quickly as they can. Ski schools from around the area have been locating new places for their lessons and are managing quite well given the conditions. Anywhere from beginner to advanced or park rider, whether you ski or snowboard there are still opportunities of snow-filled happiness to fill your soul somewhere on the Grand Montets, the only place to ride at the moment!

There is some weather passing through as I write this, but it is falling mainly as rain down here, with forecasts coming in that the freezing level is dropping. We are all hoping and praying that this falls as snow one last time as low as possible, so that we can all enjoy the end of season as much as mountainly possible.

With temperatures over the past week creeping into the thirties it's been a great time to see what the summer has to offer. A lot of rental shops are stacking away most of their skis and making room for some mountain bikes to rent out. All of the lower trails in the valley are in good riding condition and if you are out over this Easter period you should definitely make high priority seeing what summer has to offer.

If you are already out here or are planning to be in the valley over the next few weeks why not get out in the comfortable morning temperatures on the Grand Montets? You will find some lovely freshly groomed runs to ride, until it becomes too hot to handle and you feel you would be better in shorts and t-shirt rather than salopettes, gloves and jacket. Get down to one of the bike rental shops and have a go on some of the chilled lowdown trails to ride in Chamonix.

One of the most chilled bike runs to ride in the valley is the Balcon Sud with easy downhill sections and not too many ups (unless you ride from Chamonix to Argentiere). Get on the train and head up to Argentiere and begin to make your way downhill out of the train station until you reach the bridge which goes over the river, there you will see the start of the Balcon Sud. The trail is straightforward and leads you back into Chamonix, passing by some lovely little spots to have lunch or dip your toes in the river along the way!

Check out our Mountain Guide Listings for contact details of local guiding and activity companies.

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