Chamonix Snow Report: 30th January 2011

With the cold temperatures the snow cannons have been on full whack, and for the parks in the valley it has meant we can finally have some better things to play on in the Grand Montets and Les Houches areas. So I shall at some stage this week be checking them out! If you're out this week looking to the off piste is looking pretty grim at the moment. Mostly moguls and either hard packed snow or crusty bumpy ice is what you will find. Although if you stray far enough backcountry you might find a turn or two in some sheltered little hidden gulley where the wind blew a bit in, apart from that, sticking to the pistes seem to be the way to go. Getting out early in the morning when the slopes have been freshly groomed is a great idea. Over on the Grand Montets as it hasn't gone above freezing has meant the snow isn't partial to the freeze thaw effect and has been in fairly good nick on the pistes especially early in the morning.

If you come to Chamonix for your backcountry, then don't be put off by the conditions, its still great to get some fresh mountain air and get round the back in to the wilderness and explore some of the many possibilities in the valley. A lot of the routes are still on, the guides are still operating their services and doing their best to find clients some good slopes to ride. With the cold temperatures that have remained it has at least meant that no more snow has disappeared, so it is possible to do things, like in the Berrard valley. You can access many different tours in to this wonderful secluded little valley from the Flegere lift hiking straight up or traversing round from the Index, or Floria lifts. Using the services of an experienced guide they can show you to some of the most amazing spots on these tours which take anything from 2-6 hours depending on which route you take and how motivated you are feeling! You can sometimes find patches of pow in this valley if you take a more out of the way route down here but don't take my word on it, as I haven't been in there recently!

Now we are in to the month of February and more and more holiday makers begin to make their way in to this wonderful valley, why not book a holiday over, I reckon it's going to snow soon and Tim one of the locals in Bar'd Up said it definitely will by Wednesday at 1630hrs, and if he's wrong he said he will buy all who question him about it a shot (of his choice)!

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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!