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Chamonix Snow Report: 24th January 2011

featured in Snow report Author Kieran Sharp, Updated

Well it is fairly sunny here in Chamonix still, not much in the way of snow falling unfortunately but has become substantially cooler than the previous week, where it felt more like spring than the middle of January! It's looking like there could be a wee bit falling towards the end of the week so our fingers are crossed for a big dumpage! It has been good at least that it's become much colder as this has prevented any further snow melt and kept the snow pack up high in condition, but a lot of the lower slopes have suffered.

It might seem that when you hear this information that it's not worth coming out, but I can tell you it sure is! There is always a spot to ride with softer conditions, and keeping a good eye on wind direction, freezing level and slope aspect will help you find some good spots that might just be hiding some secret stashes of powder! Hiring the services of a guide/instructor/host is always a good idea as getting a bit of local knowledge in this instance is invaluable! If that's a bit like spending too much money for your liking then why not buy a map, compass, and take a very close look at the weather to see if you can find a sheltered little gulley to hike to and hopefully score some fresh! Or at least have fun trying!

Purchasing an unlimited ski pass during you're stay here in the Chamonix valley is a great idea, it not only covers every lift in the valley but also includes Verbier, the four Valleys in Switzerland, and Courmayeur in Italy. Having 3 countries on the pass with 3 different weather and snow conditions will give you the best possibilities to ride something good during this dry but sunny patch.

The other day we headed over to Courmayeur for a shred, some fine coffee, grappa, and of course pizza! There are a number of options to get there; there is a free bus which leaves Chamonix every morning but it locks you in to set times to leave and come back. You can organise trips with a transfer company, hire a car or even get the lift up the Aguille Du Midi, hike to Pointe Helbronner and ride down the other side! (Only if you know you're way around or hire a guide!). You can get cheap tunnel tickets with your unlimited ski pass for 23 euro return, so we got in our car and purchased one of these, making our way over in our own time. If you come over here during the busy period it's a good idea to eat out of normal lunch time hours, or grab a coffee before you ride and book a table as it gets busy, especially in our favourite spot La Cristiana, make sure you say hi to Carlo the owner if you head over.

After a lot of lovely coffee we headed out for our ride, hitting pretty much every slope, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the snow was a lot softer than back in Cham, and we even found what could be described as fresh! It's a great place to come if you like tree riding fresh powder as its not such a powder pig frenzy resort as Cham! We had a lovely long lunch at La Christiana eating fine pizza and drinking great grappa, so after a couple of lazy heavy runs we made our way back to Cham, to spread the word about the better snow conditions just over the hill.

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
  • 1

  • Total Pistes: 75

  • Alt. Resort: 1253

  • Alt. Summit: 3233

  • Alt. Last Snow: 1253

  • High Temp.: 3

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1050