Chamonix Snow Report: 5th March 2008

I have friends over, some who haven't skied for a while so I suggested on Tuesday we should go to Le Tour for a warm up day. Unfortunately gale force winds meant a revision of the plan, as the lifts at le Tour were closed, so we headed up to Flegere. After a queue of about half an hour for the cable car we emerged at Plan Praz into cloud and intense cold.

After a couple of laps in the mist of the green Trap piste which following the new snow, was in fantastic condition, a thick layer of firm powder creaky in the cold air, we headed up the Index chairlift which we walked right onto with no waiting. A run down the steep red Lachenal piste was a mistake as the zero visibility coupled with heaps of new snow all over was exhausting especially when you are yet to find your legs. A quick stop for a reviving hot drink revealed what had happened to the crowd from the bottom! After a few more runs on the blue pistes which were all in great condition and a bite to eat we were ready to explore the off piste.

After lunch the clouds had broken a little but we were a little nervous venturing off piste in case they closed back in quickly. From the top of the Index we headed over towards the closed Floria drag and cut off right below it. The off piste conditions were superb. A foot of light powder and virtually untracked. The only fly in the ointment was that it was easy to cut right down to the hard base underneath. A few more runs in the powder and we were all exhausted but grinning inanely.

Today as forecast dawned bright and bitter cold. We headed to Grands Montets where again the mountain was being blasted by gale force winds. The cloud seemed to be boiling up at the level of the top of the Herse and Bochard. It was not actually snowing but there was so much spindrift it might as well have been. As is usual at Grands Montets the off piste had been well tracked the previous day, but was still light and soft. Once upon a time, guides would wait a couple of days after new snow for it to settle, all a guides clients would have to ski on now if they did that, would be moguls! The area below the Face however was still untracked, probably because the top section of the GM lift had been closed.

All the pistes here were in great condition, again with creaky soft packed powder, and only the occasional patch scrapped down to the harder base. Although the snow conditions were good both on and off piste the day was dominated by the polar wind and intermittent cloud.

The home run is also now in good condition, again with a few sections of the hard base evident to keep you on your toes. Interestingly as we descended just after four o'clock, the snow cannons were in operation, quite unpleasant to ski through. The number of lifts open today due to the wind was reduced to 27 out of 43.

The avalanche threat level remains at 3, considerable, the forecast is for clearer, but still windy weather for the next couple of days but with no more snow, longer term (according to the squirrel) there is the possibility of further significant snowfalls early next week, fingers crossed.

Wrap up warm.

Check out what to do around town once the lifts have closed with our latest Apres Ski Report - a weekly round up of what's hot and where to party in Chamonix!

Cross-country skiing is Open

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Additional snow and weather information provided, with thanks, by meteo.chamonix.com and the Tourist Office