Chamonix Snow Report: 5th April 2013

So you never know quite what you’re going to get when you open the curtains at the moment, but April is absolutely my favourite month of the season.  With Easter being early this year, we really can look forward to a month of deserted pistes and (historically) some great powder dumps. To make the most of spring skiing conditions you generally want to be up and out early to get the best of the snow and then hit the deck chair mid-afternoon to soak up the rays.  Get your edges sharpened as conditions can be pretty hard packed first thing in the morning but then they are softening up a treat around midday.  We’ve not had high enough temperatures as yet to reduce the slopes to mush in the afternoon, but things are pretty crispy early doors so an end of season service would be money well spent.

At the start of the week we were enjoying glorious sunshine and spring like temperatures and so we headed to Grands Montets for a blast around in the sun.  No lift queues and, for the most part, beautifully groomed pistes.  As anticipated, things were a bit crunchy off the Herse in the morning and after a brief foray into the off-piste under the chair, we hotfooted it straight back onto the groomed runs.  The immediately accessible off-piste throughout the area is completely tracked out at the moment but it still does look a bit enticing – however, it’s way crunchier than it appears from the chair and isn’t really that much fun.  The pistes on the other hand were fabulous – smooth and fast – and as we neared midday, they transformed into that “knife through butter” consistency which is perfect for sinking an edge in but didn’t deteriorate beyond that as the afternoon wore on. 

Off the Bochard, the Chamois black run down to the Pendant chair was really lovely – absolutely perfect conditions all the way down and no hint of the icy section that you usually have to keep an eye out for just over half way down.  Having learned my lesson under the Herse, I resisted the temptation to get lured into the Lavancher Bowl, although I’m sure there was still some softer snow waaaaay skiers left if you were prepared to do the long traverse to get to it. The snow park and boardercross area was also in tip top condition and had a steady flow of skiers and boarders flying through it throughout the day.  After a few hours of blasting around though we were ready for some sustenance and this is when April really comes into its own for lunch on the terrace in the sunshine.  The pizzas at the Plan Joran restaurant always get my vote for a quick (and not too heavy) bite to eat.  They won’t completely write off your afternoon in a post lunch slump and they are also one of the more purse friendly options on the hill!  

The weather has closed in again in the last couple of days taking the visibility with it and temperatures have dropped right back down to around zero.  True to form, the weekend is going to be a mixed bag.  Saturday looks to be remaining mostly cloudy with the possibility of a bit more snowfall as the day goes on.  Hopefully it won’t dampen spirits on the hill though as the Grands Montets ski area is celebrating its 50^th birthday tomorrow and there will be 50% off lift passes (Saturday only), as well as a whole programme of events taking place at Lognan from midday right through to 8pm.  Live music and DJ’s all afternoon, a boardercross competition, treasure hunt and a raffle with a season pass for next year and a load of ski kit up for grabs.  The lifts will be open until 6pm and then the ski schools are leading a torchlit descent back down to the car park in Argentiere.  Sunday is actually meant to be a “sunny day” so slap that sun cream on and make the most of it.  We are of course now approaching the pinnacle of goggle tan season and there have been some absolute beauty beaming faces around town in recent days so you have been warned!  With the welcome news that Flegere will be extending its season until 28^th April now, there are certainly still a good few weeks of great skiing to be enjoyed in the valley before the final lifts close at GM on 12^th May. The hardest thing for you to decide is what to pack.  Well, if you come prepared for the mountains and the Med, you should have all bases covered!