A ski lift going up a snowy hill with the sun shining through the trees

A snowy mountain with the sun shining through the clouds

A person skiing down a snow covered slope with the sun shining brightly in the background

A snowy slope with a red pole in the foreground

Chamonix Snow Report: 20th April 2010

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

Weather here in Chamonix is pretty good, some nice sunny days, some very empty slopes and loads of soft slushy snow to play in, which has been great for those stuck here and deciding not to wait in Geneva airport while the large volcano spewing ash out over Europe continues. However it is a bit unfortunate for those trying to get out for that last little bit of snow for the season. We are still a wee bit away from the official end of the season on the 9th May and there will be a sweet party on the 2nd May, so if flights re-open or you can drive out, get out before the season ends!

As the season is coming to a close there is no reason not to come out to Chamonix, either for snow fun or the start of the summer madness, lots of the low down climbing walls in the valley are now possible to do, along with some of the lower trails for walking and mountain biking and if you've never been out to Chamonix for the summer you should get out and experience what its all about. There are so many activities going on and you can actually find that the town is busier in the summer than some of the busiest months in the winter! And not to forget that if you're a keen on snowboard or ski touring, it is still possible through the whole year, but a good amount of mountaineering skills is absolutely necessary as the routes are all glaciated, not pisted, and in the high mountain, so having a guide is invaluable. Many companies operate in the valley through the year such as McNab snowboarding and guiding, Evolution 2, and of course the Bureau des Guides and many other independent guiding companies where you will find they offer adventures in many sports during the winter, inter-season, and summer.

So with a distinct lack of holiday makers, (apart from those who decided to spend there undefined waiting times for a flight home skiing or snowboarding some lovely spring snow) we have been having a lot of fun blasting around the pistes and finding some fresh lines in the slushy off piste! We have been hitting Brevent and Flegere earlier in the morning as the warmer temperatures and south facing slopes has meant it been the best time to hit these mountains and with the avalanche risk increasing as the day goes on, probably the most sensible with our little off piste adventures. After spending the morning on the south facing side its been great to get over to Grand Montets have a wee bit of lunch in the Marmatons restaurant at the foot of the mountain before heading up for some afternoon fun just as the snow re-transforms in to slush instead of the early morning hard pack which can still last through to midday at the moment.

After riding the Grand Montets it's a pretty good idea to head back down to the Marmatons restaurant for their après ski sessions with live music played on there large sunny terrace and enjoy a good few beers before the sun goes down.

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!