Chamonix Snow Report: 30th December 2010

After a lot of flight delays and cancellations over the Christmas week we have been slightly spoiled by relatively empty pistes, and we are now quite aware and remember exactly how busy a busy week can really be! If you're in the town during this period, be very careful on the slopes; watch out for other skiers and snowboarders as there is a ridiculous amount of people on most pistes! It's a good time to hit some of the more out of the way slopes, or practice riding some of the various bumps and off piste terrain that few people venture towards.

Recently I've been getting out earlier in the mornings to try and avoid most of the craziness during this crazy holiday period. As soon as I feel like I can't put a turn in without the possibility of having someone speeding uncontrollably into the back of me, I head towards places like the home run at Grand Montets, or off piste in to the L'Avancher bowl, for some more tranquil free riding. Conditions aren't great off piste right now, but it's better than constantly trying to avoid people and gives us a good opportunity to practice riding some of the less desirable terrain.

Getting good at riding this stuff is an art form in itself. Whether you're skiing, snowboarding, or blading, the same general idea for riding bumpy, icy, variable terrain can be employed. Keeping your weight neutral and evenly balanced along whatever bit or bits of wood you stand on will allow you to make lightening quick responses to surprise terrain like a patch of ice or a bump that you didn't see. Staying relaxed yet responsive while in this neutral position will permit you to have a reasonable amount of pleasure while riding normally undesirable terrain. Thinking about how your body position might change so that you aren't evenly balanced and making corrections to what you find will dramatically increase your ability to perform in such terrain.

The last chance to ride in the damn fine year of 2010 approaches us tomorrow, so all who are around at this point in space and time will be wanting to get up on the slopes for that last shred. Expecting a busy day up there tomorrow is as close to common sense as possible. However if (unlike me) you are planning on not partying too much during the festivities tomorrow evening, then you will benefit from some amazingly quiet slopes. If it snows, which it has strangely done for most years I have been here, then an epic day will be had by all those who hit the hills! There is no need to go in to detail of best place for a party tomorrow as pretty much every bar up and down the valley will be having some sort of soiree event, although if you are in Cham then one of the free entry bars to visit would be Bar'd Up. If you want a crazy good DJ party then heading over to the Podium for the Winter Sessions gig is a good idea. As far as I am aware I shall be remaining in the village of Argentiere where all bars are free to enter and there will be many events going on at all the bars. Hope you all have a happy New Year - next report due in on the 2nd!

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!