A view of snow covered mountains from a ski lift

A view of a small town with a mountain in the background

A person wearing goggles stands on top of a snowy mountain

Chamonix Snow Report: 17th March 2011

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

The foehn wind came and went, but left our valley that much warmer which has meant that the system we currently have passing through has manifested its precipitation as rain lower down. There are rumours coming back that Courmayeur is getting more lower down, however on the higher slopes in Cham we are still getting a good coverage with around 20cm fallen since yesterday.

Chamonix is a great place to come for its massive amount of terrain, world class backcountry riding, late season riding and the fact that you can ride in 3 different countries all on one ski pass. Having this advantage means you can benefit from the different weather systems that circle this high mountain valley. Some weather might not make over one side of the mountain, but you can at least go to that side on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass and still get a powder day when the weather moves in to one of these countries. You will also have different temperature patterns in each of these countries so like what is happening at the moment you may find that when a system covers the three countries and one is cooler you can go take advantage of the snow wherever it might be falling more.

Right now as the weather is passing through its white out and snow up high or underneath the cloud flat light and rain. Not the most pleasurable of conditions to ride in, however there is still soft stuff to ride you just can't see it very well, and it is bringing with it some well needed snow to top up our slopes during this shockingly dry season! Coming home at the end of the day especially if you are riding the home runs at Grand Montets, Le Tour or Les Houches you will be getting pretty wet with all the rain, so if you are planning on having a couple down the bar afterwards before you catch the bus home, then getting the lift down might be the best and most dry option to take.

We are now in a much quieter time of the season between European half term holiday periods and Easter, and with a lot more snow falling, cheaper accommodation and flight options it's a great time to at least begin contemplating a trip out to the mountains.

A lot of holiday makers think that the season is coming to a close this time of year, which is great for those who live out here as we experience no lift queues and when the powder comes in we score line after line of fresh sweet sweet powder! You can trust me when I say that taking a late season holiday will be a really good idea. Pretty much every April inclusive of the last dry season there have been some amazing powder days. Sure it doesn't snow all the way to the valley bottom that often but high up it chucks it down! If you come at the very end of the season normally around the first week of May you might even find one last powder day then! Last season the 6th of May was an amazing nipple deep powder day, and all who were around enjoyed this amazing fluffy stuff all to themselves!

So if you are sitting there thinking that that's the end, dry season, no more real snow, let's start looking at next year's ski holiday options, then think again! Get booking now for some sweet late season chilled powder days before the season really is over!

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!