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Chamonix Snow Report: 27th March 2011

featured in Snow report Author Kieran Sharp, Updated

Some warm wet weather is passing through the valley at the moment, which should hopefully begin to turn in to snow as the temperatures cool slightly, but not to worry with some of the highest lifts in Europe in this fantastic valley and the benefits of riding possibilities in three countries, if you are out this week you will be certain to find some powder somewhere on the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass.

The Brevent and Flegere hills have been looking pretty bare recently, and are normally the first to close towards the end of the season, and with rumour spreading about the lift company potentially doing this, we might not see much more of these mountains till the summer months. A lot of resorts around the Alps are looking at early closure, and there isn't much choice once the snow disappears and temperatures raise enough that it becomes impossible to even make snow artificially. We are lucky with Chamonix having some very high mountain skiing and Italy on the pass which has been getting a pretty good season so far, so Chamonix really is the number one choice for best snow guarantee at the moment. We all hope that the weather passing through at this current point in time cools down turns in to more snow and becomes habitual for the rest of the season.

April is normally an excellent month for riding, you've all heard of April showers, and in the mountains that's April snow showers! As we approach this month rapidly we are all looking forward to a month of powder days after a season of mediocre amounts of snow fall, so watch the forecasts carefully as when it dumps it will come down hard and fast. It's also a really good time to come out for the end of season parties, and empty hills, even if the snow isn't great the atmosphere will bring you great amounts of pleasure!

When the powder does come this time of year, it's common for it to disappear quit quickly, especially on those blue sky powder days when it gets so warm you should be thinking about shorts and t-shirt rather than jacket, gloves and thermals! So making the most of your time is crucial to getting the best out of your holiday and the existence of powder in the valley. Booking the services of a local guide from Evolution 2 or Les Bureau des Guides will greatly help your search for this wonderful white stuff and you may find yourself hiking off for miles in to the back country for some amazing experiences and loads of fresh. If you aren't quite so energetic then booking a host through your chalet company, Ski Weekend, or Blue Mile Snowsports to show you round some of the more easy to access areas where you will find wee stashes can be the way forward.

Whatever the press are saying back home about the snow out here, don't let their sometimes exaggerated accounts of what it's like out here defer your visit, we are rising happy with smiles riding powder, and the photos taken in today's report are not even a week old! So bear that in mind before you book a holiday out here before it really is too late!

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 3

Snow Report
  • 2

  • Total Pistes: 75

  • Alt. Resort: 1253

  • Alt. Summit: 3233

  • Alt. Last Snow: 3000

  • High Temp.: 10

  • Alt. High Temp.: 1050