Chamonix Snow Report: 19th November 2010
The streets of Chamonix have begun to fill up with many season workers eager to start their winter on a high, so parties this past week or so have seemed a little more lively and the true winter vibe is starting to drip slowly but surely in to the valley. Along with the vibe we have had a fair amount of snow, not quite enough for the Chamonix lift company to put a great deal of an effort in to an earlier opening, but not to worry the lift company in Verbier are doing their very best at opening for the weekends and will be opening week long from next week.
Last weekend a load of us went over to Verbier for that first session on skis or a board. The conditions weren't amazing after a slightly warmer spell which passed through and brought some high altitude rain to the slopes, but we were keen as beans just to stand on our equipment and get the feel for it again. There were two main runs open a fairly short flat one and a longer more interesting ride back down to the mid-station gondola, however the lower down trail did have quit a few rocks on it, so I was very pleased to be on my old board.
In the morning the snow was pretty hard packed but with the warmer weather hanging around and a very lovely sunny day it wasn't long before we felt like we were riding what felt more like April snow! Heading off on that first run it was soon apparent that we needed to take a step back from where our ability level was at the end of last season and take a wee bit of time to tune our bodies in to the board. There were quite a few people in the same boat, so riding around the piste meant being very vigilant at others on the slopes as a few close calls were had by many!
I was very excited to get used to riding as quickly as possible so I kept lapping the two pistes practicing my turns, ollies and spins to attempt getting closer to my level at the end of last season sooner. Although I had put a lot of effort in to my training riding bikes, hiking and running I still found at the end of the day almost all my muscles where screaming in agony! It actually prevented me from being able to ride the next day which I had originally planned to do. Instead I booked a great massage in with Chamofix massage where Ruth Martin helped put us right, and with a lot more stretches being performed this week, I'm more than ready for my next instalment on the slopes tomorrow!
Next week we should see the Grand Montets opening possibly, but if that isn't the case like this week Verbier will still be open and with trains running straight to the bottom of the lift and only an hour away why not book a flight over and enjoy this exciting start to what will be a wonderful snow filled season of pure joy!
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!
Stats
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3
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Total Pistes: 75
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0
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0
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Alt. Last Snow: 1080
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High Temp.: 15
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Alt. High Temp.: 1050
