The inside of a church with a sign that says ' servizi ' on it

A group of skiers are standing in front of a large building

The sun is shining brightly over the snowy mountains

The sun is shining brightly on a snowy mountain

A snowy mountain with the sun shining through the clouds

Chamonix Snow Report: 24th March 2011

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

After a tidy little dump last weekend we have been enjoying some amazingly warm sunny days, which isn't great for keeping the powder at a constant state of crystallisation but it creates an amazing amount of positive energy throughout the valley, and at least softer rather than icy snow.

Even the Grand Montets which would normally be quit icy till late in the afternoon sun is transforming even the higher slopes earlier on in the day making for some great soft and pleasurable conditions to experience. Most of the powder has been eaten up by the trillions of powder pigs that are often seen lurking the slopes of Chamonix, however getting in to the back country where the greediest of powder pigs are not so commonly spotted, you will find some stashes of the white soft stuff which brings so much joy to those who glide across it.

There are so many different routes in and around the valley which will enable you to experience some of this fluffy pleasure, and you could not even if you tried to, experience all of them in your lifetime. The only people that might come close are the well experienced guides who have lived here for years and know the mountains more intimately than you know yourself. Most of them have witnessed glaciers retreat, rock falls, and routes become impossible to pass, so they are very knowledgeable of where the best places are to ride currently. There are a number of books and maps which although have a number of amazing routes enclosed can be somewhat out-dated and only the services of a guide will give you the most safety and enjoyment to your back country adventures.

There is a lot of commonly completed routes in the valley and if you do grab yourself a book and a map, and with a bit of common sense, mountain awareness and safety knowledge you can begin to explore some of these fantastic routes. Before you set off make sure a route is safe to do, talk to the mountain safety guys, guides etc and look to see if a route you want to do is actually being done, set off in safe conditions and have yourself a good day.

A great place if you get a day where you want to explore a little further afield is in the grand saint Bornard area, just an hour's drive away. The ski area does not operate any more but is a hot spot for tourers from all around Switzerland, France and beyond. There is a monastery a short walk away from the car park where you can spend a night and head off on a more adventurous hike the next day, where you are almost certain to find at least some powder somewhere along your travels!

Have a look at some of the pictures from a trip we had the other day staying at the monastery and hiking the next day to a long powder run back to our car. If this is something that you might like, get in touch with the Bureau des Guides or Evolution 2 who can book you a trip with a guide to experience some fantastic back country!

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!