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Chamonix Snow Report: 25th March 2012

Le Tour brought to you by Tate & Lyle

featured in Snow report Author Helen McGrory, Chamonix Reporter Updated

There’s nothing like a good service to put a spring in your step for the next day on the hill. Freshly waxed and with edges like razors I took my plank over to Le Tour yesterday for yet another day of sunshine riding. If only my goggle tan would reflect the beautiful weather we’ve been having......

From the car park at Le Tour, things don’t look so good – large expanses of grass are now visible on the mountainside and it would appear that summer is not far off. Well, that is where you’d be wrong! Once at the top of the gondola the expanse of white is still dazzling and there is certainly no evidence of any plant like protrusions on any of the pistes.

There were a few technical difficulties at Le Tour this week with both the Vallorcine gondola and the Tete de Blame chairlift out of action for a couple of days due to mechanical problems. However, they were back up and running sooner than anticipated so we were able to make the most of the firmer snow on the Esserts and Belle Place runs over the back. I LOVE having a freshly serviced board – zipping effortlessly across the long traverse to the back runs, smugly mocking those sticky bottomed riders that were scooting along having run out of steam before the track drops down the back. Not me, oh no – I flew on by!

Being shadier in aspect, these runs do retain their firmness even into the afternoon. The snow is still fast and grippy with only the odd icy section on the sharper turns. In fact the only casualty on this side of the area is the Foret Verte run down to Vallorcine which is now closed for the season due to lack of snow.

Back over on the front side and the pistes get slammed all day long by the sun’s rays so everything over here is noticeably softer. From the top of the Tete de Balme I took the Solonges red run back to Charamillon which is a great run for a hoon, as long as you bear in mind that the liaison traverse cuts across it halfway down so keep your speed in check. Yesterday, it was like doing turn after turn through piles of Tate & Lyle – lovely sugary snow that only got a little sticky in patches lower down. The very end of this run – the Retour Charamillon – is another notorious section for boarders getting stuck as it flattens out for some way before dropping down to the mid station. Keep an eye out for a friendly skier who may give you a tow or lend you a pole.

At the top of the Solonges run (and off the Posettes drag lift) you may notice signs for speed riding zones. Whilst there weren’t any riders out yesterday, it’s quite common to see people skiing with paraglider type wings inflated behind them. There are specific zones where people can try their hand at speed riding (under the supervision of an instructor of course!) and when you see some of them careering around it’s apparent why they are kept well clear of the pistes! If you fancy a go, several of the ski schools and activity companies offer lessons in speed riding and as long as you’re a relatively competent skier off piste you can give it a try. Unfortunately though, you can’t do it on a board; you’ll need to get yourself down to the Col de Lauteret in the Southern Alps and give kite boarding a go instead!

Going back up the Autannes chairlift, way off to the right were several sets of really nice tracks where tourers had ventured up to get more fresh lines through Monday's dump. Whilst there is undoubtedly nearly always fresh snow to be found in the valley if you’re prepared to put in the effort to find it (see Tom's report from the Couloir Trappier this weekend); unless you know where to head and what you’re doing off piste, it’s definitely worth hiring the services of a guide to show you safely around the back country. Especially with the number of slides that are visible at the moment.

I finished off my day with a few laps of the boarder cross track which is now off to your right as you go up the Autannes chair. As you head towards the Chatelet red run at the top, the track starts at the Espace Freestlye sign and drops you back down onto the Ecuries piste. The track comprises a series of banked turns and a couple of sections of rollers which are good for a laugh if you’re messing around with your mates. There’s nothing too technical in there so the kids will no doubt love it as well.

Despite the dubious look of Le Tour from the bottom, there is still no problem skiing all the way back down to the car park; sure it’s sugary all the way if you do it in the afternoon, but there are no brown patches or aquaplaning required although the slushy snow can be hard work for tired legs at the end of that day.

What do we have to look forward to this week? More sunshine, temperature inversions and relaxing afternoons spent in a deck chair. Happy days :O)

Stats

Avalanche Risk
  • Level 2

Snow Report
  • 1

  • Alt. Resort: 1900m

  • Alt. Summit: 3330m

  • Alt. Last Snow: 800m

  • High Temp.: 18

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1035m

  • Latest Conditions: clear or partly cloudy - few small cumulus cloud over the slopes in the afternoon. Period of sunshine close to 100%.PRECIPITATION : none.WIND - ground level : morning calm - light thermal breezes later.WIND - mid mountain : variable light.WIND - high mountain : E light.TEMPERATURE : low -2

Location

Map of the surrounding area