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Chamonix Snow Report: 20th April 2011

featured in Snow report Author Kieran Sharp, Updated

Don't let anyone put you off coming over to Chamonix at the moment, sure there is a lack of snow, but you can still ride and loads of effort is going in to keeping the ski runs as open as possible. There are still many seasonnaires and holiday makers alike hanging around, and taken benefit of the many activities on offer at the moment. Its like living in peak summer and winter at the same time! You can downhill mountain bike from Flegere and Le Tour hills, you can ski and snowboard on the Grand Montets, you can hike most of the lower trails and even some higher ones on the Aguille Rouges, and all the lower crags, slabs, and boulders are very climbable.

It is absolutely amazing being around at this time of year, like this, when almost everything that both summer and winter have to offer can be achieved at the same time in a valley with loads of enthusiastic similar minded people having fun in the mountains together. If all you have ever done is ski or snowboard in the mountains, right now would be a great time to come out and have a taste of what the summer months have to offer, while still being able to achieve your winter pleasures.

A lot of the rental shops throughout the valley have started renting both summer and winter kit, the guides are operating both their summer and winter services, and being the only resort in the area capable of achieving both seasons demands at the same time, the valley has become fairly busy this past week. So if you are over make sure you investigate what the likes of Evolution 2, Bureau des Guides, Blue Mile Snowsports and many other companies still operating in the valley, have to offer.

The pistes considering the lack of snow and high temperatures have been in reasonably good shape. Although thin in places and a few rocks poking out, as long as you're not riding your brand new ski's or board you will still find a lot of fun to be had. The top lift still has good coverage and the snow is feeling chalky, grippy and in good condition. Lower down you will find it quit hard packed and icy in the morning, followed by a good old slush fest commencing shortly after lunch. It is becoming less and less necessary to ride with a jacket or even sallopets on! So bring lots of summer clothes and board shorts if you're out this week.

Its light till about 9pm at the moment so with that in mind and after a bit of skiing or snowboarding in the afternoon, it's a good time to think about getting down to one of the climbing walls in the valley. Les Gaillands is a great place to start, and has a wide variety of climbs available for all levels of climber. There is a free to use BBQ, lake and some amazing views in the area. We headed down yesterday to give the first climbs of the season a shot, and had a great time getting our arms and legs back in to the game on some of the not so challenging routes on the wall.

So if you are out at the moment, make sure you are taking full advantage of the weather and conditions making it possible for both summer and winter mountain activities to be performed.


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

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 2

Snow Report
  • 3

  • Total Pistes: 75

  • Alt. Resort: 1253

  • Alt. Summit: 3233

  • Alt. Last Snow: 3000

  • High Temp.: 30

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1050